Nahum week 6

Introduction

What natural laws govern our lives the most?

For fun, what law would make your life change the most if it was gone?

Why do natural laws matter? How does it help us to respect and remember natural laws?

What would you say is one of the most powerful natural laws described in the Bible?

Lets read Galatians 6:7-8 in our Bibles.

What natural law is described in this verse?

Do we see this law in effect in our lives? Where?

The Plan of the Assyrians

When the Assyrians attacked a city they used a plan of attack that involved 4 elements.

Isolation

Preparation

Penetration

Suppression

Nahum warns the Assyrians they would face the same things.

Nahum 2:1–6 ESV

1 The scatterer has come up against you. Man the ramparts; watch the road; dress for battle; collect all your strength. 2 For the Lord is restoring the majesty of Jacob as the majesty of Israel, for plunderers have plundered them and ruined their branches. 3 The shield of his mighty men is red; his soldiers are clothed in scarlet. The chariots come with flashing metal on the day he musters them; the cypress spears are brandished. 4 The chariots race madly through the streets; they rush to and fro through the squares; they gleam like torches; they dart like lightning. 5 He remembers his officers; they stumble as they go, they hasten to the wall; the siege tower is set up. 6 The river gates are opened; the palace melts away;

The Isolation of Nineveh (2:1-2)

Opening Up Nahum The Isolation that Nineveh Would Experience (vv. 1–2)

When laying siege to a city, the ancient Assyrians would seek to isolate the city in order to stop any outside help coming to the inhabitants’ aid. So, roads or highways would be blocked, rivers patrolled and escape routes nullified.

The first warning for Nineveh was to be ready and circle the wagons because and attack was coming.

The Preparation of the enemies of Nineveh (2:3)

The signs of the attack approaching.

Opening Up Nahum The Preparation that Would Be Made by Their Enemies (v. 3)

‘THE SHIELDS OF HIS SOLDIERS ARE RED’—perhaps covered in this colour to intimidate.

‘THE WARRIORS ARE CLAD IN SCARLET’—to show that they are coming to shed blood.

‘THE METAL ON THE CHARIOTS FLASHES’—they are blinding in the sun’s rays.

‘THE SPEARS OF PINE ARE BRANDISHED’—strong, sure and deadly.

The penetration of Nineveh (2:4)

Nahum 2:4 ESV

4 The chariots race madly through the streets; they rush to and fro through the squares; they gleam like torches; they dart like lightning.

The city is suppressed and the king is helpless.

Nahum 2:5–6 ESV

5 He remembers his officers; they stumble as they go, they hasten to the wall; the siege tower is set up. 6 The river gates are opened; the palace melts away;

Opening Up Nahum Total Suppression Will Come and the King Will Be Helpless (vv. 5–6)

The ancient historian, Diodorus Siculus, said ‘that due to heavy rainfall and the rise of the rivers Tigris and Khosr, the floodgates were overrun and a section of the city wall dissolved, enabling the Babylonian and Medes to enter the city’

The city if Nineveh would discover the power of God and there wasn’t anything they could do to avoid judgment.

Questions

What does Galatians 6:6-10 teach us about the consequences of our actions?

When God judged the Assyrians, He did it in ways they could see and understand if they chose to. Do we see God working in the same way today? Can you think of examples?

A common idea today is the thought that as long as we don’t hurt someone else, we can do whatever we want. How can we as Christians counter this mindset.

Jesus spoke of judging others in Luke 6:37-42. How can we apply His words today so that we don’t look like hypocrites to the world around us?