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Nahum and Nineveh
Nahum and Nineveh
The Bible prophesied of the automobile. (?) We read in Nahum 2:4: "The chariots race madly through the streets; they rush to and fro through the squares; they gleam like torches; they dart like lightning." Sounds like Speedway Blvd. on a Saturday night! Yes, such has been taught. It is amazing what one can 'prove' if you don't have to consider context! Nahum is not writing about cars in the 20th century but the chariots used by armies back in 700 B.C. The whole book is an oracle concerning Nineveh (1:1).
Assyria has been raised up by the Lord to be his instrument to chastise the northern 10 tribes for their unfaithfulness to the covenant. In 721 Assyria conquered Israel, destroyed their country and cities, and took most of the people captive into foreign lands. Nahum wrote sometime between the destruction of the Egyptian city Thebes in 663 B.C. (see Nah. 3:8) and the fall of Nineveh (which occurred in 612 B.C.).
Nahum begins with the very nature and character of God 1-8. This is yet another classic passage that summarizes the character of God. This summary is upon God's judicial wrath and judgment. God's anger and wrath at sin will be expressed even against the non-Jewish nations like Assyria (1-2). He is slow to anger, but when He is angry it brings judgment (3). Being omnipotent, He has the power and ability to punish in any way that is fit for the sin (4-5).
He then builds upon this foundation declaring the judgment of God against Assyria (Nineveh). (1:9-15) God's wrath will come like an overflowing flood and will make a complete end to them. They will no more afflict God's people for He will utterly cut them off.
The Nature of this judgment is the complete destruction of the city / nation of Assyria. [Ch. 2.] The destruction is worded in pictures of warfare as then conducted. Hence he speaks of walls, shields, chariots, spears, etc. The end is complete desolation of the capital city of the Assyrians (2:10).
The surety of this judgment is announced and proclaimed in chapter 3. It is the LORD that is at war with them (vs. 5). As other nations/cities had been overthrown, so will Nineveh be overthrown. It does not matter how Assyria attempts to avoid this, God's judgment is sure.
In 625 B.C., Babylon declared its independence from Nineveh and began a civil war. They quickly overcame the Assyrians and in 612 B.C. utterly destroyed the great city of Nineveh. God's judgments are sure.
I would make a couple of quick observations.
1. God's character is the foundation of ALL moral judgments.
2. God's authority is founded upon the fact that HE created everything and hence all creation is subject unto His law and principles.
3. God, being holy, holds all men to a level of morality and humanity.
If great Kings like Sennacherib and great nations like Assyria are brought to judgment for their actions, can we escape if we sin against the LORD? God is the sovereign judge of all mankind including me.
