26 September

Bible In 365 Days

Nahum 1-3

Nahum 1

The prophet preceded the announcement of a verdict of vengeance by a section dealing wholly with Jehovah Himself. As to His character, He is a God of vengeance, and yet the central fact of His nature is that He is slow to anger.

Under the figure of a storm the prophet set forth the overwhelming majesty of Jehovah. The description of the storm moves in two sections: a hurricane on the sea, a simoon over the land.

He finally described the method of God: toward His friends He is "good, a stronghold"; for His foes, "He will make a full end."

Addressing himself to Nineveh, the prophet inquired, "What do ye imagine against the Lord?" This hints at the deepest sin of Nineveh, namely, that she had set herself up wilfully against the power of God. In answer to his own question, Nahum affirmed the irresistible nature of the judgment which must fall on the city, and finally made his central charge against her, "There is one gone forth out of thee, that imagineth evil against the Lord, that counselleth wickedness." This charge, in all probability, referred to the blasphemous boasts of Sennacherib, chronicled in Isaiah 36:18-20; Isaiah 37:10-13. As other prophets had summoned the nations to attend to God's controversy with Israel, Nahum addressed himself to the chosen people, declaring that the yoke of Assyria would be broken.

The last word in this first section was addressed to Judah. The verdict of vengeance on Nineveh was an evangel to Judah.

Nahum 2

Having thus announced the verdict, the prophet described the process of vengeance. He declared that the "hammer" had come up against Nineveh, and ironically advised her to prepare. He then detailed the process of Nineveh's destruction.

The interpretations of this description greatly differ. I suggest that it falls into three clearly defined parts. First, the conflict (verses Nahum 2:3-5); second, the conquest (verses Nahum 2:6-9); finally, the consummation (verse Nahum 2:10).

The picture of the conflict is graphic. We first see the attacking army outside the walls, then the defending host inside the city.

Next, the battle itself is described. The conquest of the city is secured by the act of God, "The gates of the rivers are opened." Continuing, Nahum described the city under the figure of a woman and her attendants. They flee, and the enemy captures the spoil.

Finally, the consummation of judgment is announced. Nineveh "is empty, and void, and waste." The utter collapse of the people was set forth in figurative language. The prophet then immediately broke forth into exultation. The den of the lions was gone, all the cruelty of Nineveh was at an end. Moreover, the prophet recognized this as the righteous act of God. It was His act of vengeance. He was against Nineveh, therefore the overthrow was complete.

Nahum 3

The last part of the prophecy is devoted wholly to the vindication of Jehovah's action against Nineveh, and is a fitting defense of the introductory declarations concerning His character.

In the first movement the prophet describes Nineveh as a "bloody city," evil and cruel. A graphic description of vengeance, consisting of seven illustrations, follows.

In the second movement he more particularly describes both the vice and the vengeance. The national method was whoredom, that is, idolatrous practices; and witchcraft, that is, deceptive methods. The national influence had been in selling nations and families. Jehovah's vengeance was then described, and also its unquestioned righteousness in the inquiry, "Who will bemoan her? Whence shall I seek comforters for thee?"

In the third movement vice and vengeance are dealt with in yet greater detail. Addressing himself to Nineveh, Nahum inquired, "Art thou better than No-aman?" The argument was that No-amon, or Thebes, which was not so corrupt as Nineveh, had been destroyed, notwithstanding her strength. How much more certain then, in view of her greater corruption, was the destruction of Nineveh! In the case of Thebes strength had been of no avail. In the case of Nineveh her corruption had canceled her strength. The vengeance of Jehovah was then set forth.

The last section is a weird description of the destruction of Assyria. The shepherds, the nobles, and the people are dealt with in judgment. The universal verdict agrees as to the righteousness of the judgment. There is to be no healing, and because of the universal oppression exercised by Assyria there will be great rejoicing over her downfall.