Nahum 2:1-13 |
'Our God reigns' is the upbeat message of Nahum - it's a little book with a lot to say about the sovereignty of God. In our first study, we saw something of the awesome majesty of God; he's a jealous God; he's a God whose integrity is intact; he's a God of limitless power; he's a hands-on, can-do God; he's a God who can't and won't tolerate sin; in fact, when men get too big for their boots and overstep the mark, he deals with them in his own way and in his own time.
He may be slow to anger, but when he backs you into a corner, it's a case of one strike and you're out. The sensational fall of the mighty Assyrian empire is a classic illustration of that age old principle. A quick look at the book tells us that God has it in for Nineveh, the capital and curse of Western Asia. And if God is against you, you don't stand a chance!
It was so different a little while before: when Jonah preached, God showed mercy - the last verse in his book is a question, 'Should I not be concerned about that great city?' I think that gives us quite an insight into the heart and mind of God - he is people oriented, he has a passion and desire to see people in a right relationship with himself. No wonder the message of the runaway prophet is seen as a stirring missionary challenge to the church in the twenty-first century. If God has a burden for people, we should share it.
The difference between the two prophets is unbelievable - they are poles apart: Jonah preached revival, Nahum proclaimed ruin; when Jonah preached, Nineveh was in a trough between the waves of its influence on the world; when Nahum preached, the city was riding the crest of its triumphs. Jonah offered them a way out, Nahum told them there was no way back! Jonah is a superb illustration of the goodness of God, whilst Nahum looks at the other side of the coin, he reminds us of the severity of the same God.
The chapter divides into two sections - one, there is the siege of Nineveh in verses 1-8; two, there is the sack of Nineveh in verses 9-13. We're left in no doubt that God is judge! I want us to look at verse 1, then we'll skip over verse 2, and go on to verses 3-13. When we've done that, we'll come back to verse 2 and end on a high note, something positive - something bright and beautiful.
There is a timeless principle in the word of God - Paul referred to it in Galatians 6:7, 'a man reaps what he sows.' It's worth noting that the Assyrians were a global superpower, they were top dog for many long years. They were absolutely ruthless in their quest for power, they were viciously cruel in how they treated people. I mean, they made Saddam Hussein, the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia and Idi Amin in Uganda look fairly decent. They were notoriously bad, but these guys were wicked to the core. One false move and you died a horrible death. Now their time has come - and they get a taste of their own medicine.
Nahum warns them in verse 1 that the enemy has them in their sights. The Babylonians are coming, they're on their way and they had better watch out! In fact, Nahum taunts them a little when he barks out orders to the people of Nineveh. These are words that the military top brass would give their men - these guys are manning the watchtowers, they're in place, they're on red alert. They know the drill!
'Guard the fortress, watch the road, brace yourselves, marshal all your strength!' Four commands - they didn't quite fall on deaf ears, but they might as well have; you see, the people of Nineveh were so arrogant, so smug, so complacent - they think they're untouchable, they reckon their city is untakeable. It's a false sense of security!
Look at verses 3-4: the advancing army are a formidable force. Some of the details that Nahum supplies are fascinating - red is the dominant colour! Their shields are red - that was meant to scare and intimidate the other side; they are dressed in scarlet - a clear indication that these guys are on a mission to shed blood! The chariots are gleaming in the sun's rays, they look like flames of fire as they dash here and there; their spears are strong, and sure, and deadly. And these soldiers know how to use them! What Nahum describes here is a full-blooded assault on Nineveh - an attack where no quarter is given, no prisoners are taken; it's a bloodbath.
Can you imagine the impact this must have had on Joe Public in Nineveh? He reckoned he was ok; he honestly felt he was impregnable, until he saw and heard this lot getting nearer and nearer! Enough to give any man the collywobbles! He must have been terrified.
Verse 5 show us the fallacy of their last ditch efforts to avert disaster. The elite troops of Nineveh do what they have to do; for them, though, it's a case of more haste, less speed - we read that they 'stumble on their way'. They fall over their feet, they get in each other's way - sounds like panic has gripped them! I get the feeling, they know their time is up. They're too late; no point in closing the stable door when the horse has bolted! All of them stumble like drunks instead of marching like heroes.
We need to realise that Nahum prophesied all of this - in other words, he told them what would happen before it took place! I reckon that verse 6 is one of those amazing events that only the Lord could engineer - it happened just like the prophet said it would! Historians tell us there was a spell of heavy rainfall, the water levels rose in the Tigris and Khoser rivers, the floodgates were overrun, and that was it - the city fell! We need to realise that Nineveh was built on the eastern bank of the Tigris and the Khoser river ran through the city. They were joined by a canal - in other words, what they spent years doing, God undid in a matter of hours! That's the uncanny ability of God!
There's no way that the Babylonians can take the credit for this momentous victory - we read in verse 7 that 'it is decreed that the city be exiled and carried away'. This achievement has the thumbprint of God stamped all over it. The invaders were instruments in the hand of God to execute his will - it's what I said last time, God often uses sinners to fulfil his purposes. It tells me, when God speaks, things happen! There is power and potency in the word of God!
The people of Nineveh are on the receiving end this time - for many a long year they were the oppressors, they were the ones who dished out inhuman and barbaric treatment; now the tables are turned, they're the ones being carried into slavery! Nahum compares the process in verse 8 to water draining out of a pool; there's an unstoppable leak and they can't plug the hole! This is a resounding declaration that when God is on the march, no one can stop him - his actions are irresistible, and irreversible. The city was reduced from magnificence to mud!
The wealth and priceless treasures in Nineveh is phenomenal - we see that in verse 9. In fact, it would appear to be so great that no one could count it - an inventory would be impossible. They have accumulated so much over the years - the Assyrians were renowned for their expertise at asset stripping - now, it's happening to them!
Nahum says in verse 10 that she is 'pillaged, plundered, [and] stripped'. Three words that increase the tempo, they up the stakes - a bit like: bad; very bad; very, very bad. The city was ransacked, anything of value was taken; nothing of any use was left. The city was sacked! The local people look on in absolute horror and dismay - their worst nightmare has become a reality before their eyes: 'Hearts melt, knees give way, bodies tremble, every face grows pale.' You can see the anxiety etched on their faces! They are frightened to death. God has wiped the smirk off their faces. The trouble is, they never thought it would ever happen to them - they thought they were immune; they lived in a cocoon. It tells me that God always writes the last chapter in a man's life!
There's a mega question in verse 11 . 'where now is the lions' den?' The strength of Nineveh was symbolised by lions; it was a kind-of mascot. It's interesting to note, the prophet refers to the various stages in the development of lions: the full-grown lion, the young lion, the lioness, and the cubs. The harsh reality is that the whole family of lions would be completely wiped out - it would be obliterated!
The savagery and skill of the lion is outlined in verse 12; it was doing what came naturally - it was on the prowl, and when it got hold of something, it tore it to pieces. It was relentless, and never gave up. It had a voracious appetite. A bit like the folks in Nineveh - but now, the shoe is on the other foot! It's their turn to be mauled!
The Assyrians were on a hiding to nothing - their destiny was sealed; we read in verse 13 those haunting words: 'I am against you,' declares the Lord Almighty. So far as God is concerned, there was no turning back. Enough was enough. He was slow to anger; but, when his passion was roused, and his patience exhausted, the end came quickly!
The people of Nineveh discovered, it's scary to have God as an enemy and a judge. You see, God is the lawgiver, but he's also the law enforcer. When God is for you, you're a winner. But, if God is against you, you don't have a leg to stand on. You're a loser, in time and eternity.
One day, some guys were having a coffee break, when the topic up for discussion was the day of judgment; one of them made a comment: 'All I want is justice from God.' The Bible makes it clear that the greatest need of all people is not justice but mercy - if God dealt out justice to us all, we'd all be condemned. We wouldn't stand a chance! We need a Saviour, someone to stand in the way, to take the full force of God's wrath against sin, and that's what Jesus did on the cross.
All of Nineveh's resources will be destroyed in verse 13b. The things that the people relied upon would go - their war machine was going to be put out of action, their guns would be forever silenced, never again would they terrorise the world. That tells us that man's only safe and sure hope is God himself. When all else fails, when everything has gone, when we have nothing, if we know the Lord, then God is still there!
Nineveh's voice will be silenced according to verse 13c. Never again would they torment and trouble the world with their war mongering. No more would the deafening roar be heard from their young lions. An eerie stillness descended over the ruins and rubble of ancient Nineveh. It's the sound of silence! The only voice heard was the voice of the sovereign Lord - he has spoken, and he is not silent! The challenge for us is, when God speaks, are we listening?
Do you remember Dad's Army? One of the characters was a Private Frasier - he supposed came from the wilds of the North of Scotland, he had an austere outlook on life. When things went pear-shaped, he was often heard to say: 'We are doomed, doomed.' That was his catchphrase.
That's what happened to the Assyrians - they were doomed! A global superpower, she wasn't only humbled, but humiliated. I think that is a timely object lesson for all of us: Nineveh, for all its pomp and circumstance, now lies in ruins. One verse comes to mind: 'how are the mighty fallen!' When it comes to us, we can be too big for God to use, but we can never be too small!
But, back up the chapter to verse 2 . what a gem it is; a bright light in the midst of inky black darkness. It's one of those great promises - God says: '[he] will restore the splendour of Jacob like the splendour of Israel.' That is breathtaking. It tells me, even when the worst has happened, even when the unthinkable takes place, even when the bottom has fallen out of our world, even then . the Lord is still working away.
He doesn't desert us, he doesn't leave us, he keeps his eye on the big picture, for he talks about restoration, renewal, and revival - God sees the finished article. It may be grim right now, but it will improve - it can only get better; things will pick up when God is working on our lives. The good news is, God sees tomorrow, we only see now!
The final chapter in God's book reminds us that God wins - one day, all his enemies will be overthrown. One day, he will be seen to be king of all the earth, and his glory will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.
Remember this: man destroys and pulls down - but God is an expert in the art of restoration. He can rebuild your life, he can restore your fortunes.
The take-home message is: God always has the last word.
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