Title: The Tragedy of Nineveh's Sin.
The devastation of Nineveh's transgression.
Nahum 3:1-19, chapters 440.495.512.
3927 Bible Research Institute
The text reveals the reason why Nineveh must be destroyed and that their fall is an irreversible fact. By vividly describing the calamity that will come upon Nineveh and the shame and despair that the prophet will face, the prophet emphasizes the depth of its destruction. Their spiritual and moral corruption was so severe that they would have a tragic end that could never be restored.
1. This is the reason why Nineveh has no choice but to perish (verses 1-7).
1) Calamity is proclaimed in Nineveh (verses 1-3),
The word “woe to you, Ginger” is mainly used when great sorrow or calamity is imminent, and has a cursed meaning. What forced Nineveh to be in this cursed situation? It can be seen from the fact that the city is called “the city of blood.” They invaded many countries and shed much blood by slaughtering regardless of age or gender. Far from being ashamed of their atrocities, they piled up dead bodies to show off their atrocities, thereby making people fear them. Their conduct is a serious sin that God never overlooks.
2) The cause of the downfall is idolatry. (Verses 4-7)
Fornication refers to immoral physical acts, but spiritually it refers to the sin of idolatry. The supreme god of Nineveh was Ishta, the goddess of sexual passion, abundance, prosperity, and war. Moreover, they seduced the nations not only with fornication but also with sorcery.
2. It is the fate of Nineveh to be destroyed (verses 8-13).
Nahum cites the example of Noamon, the Egyptian city that was destroyed by Assyria in 663 B.C. Verse 8 says, “How can you be better than Noamon? He is between rivers, and waters surround him, and the sea is a wall, and the sea a wall.”
Noamon refers to Thebes. It is a compound word of the words “No” and “Amon.” “No” means “city” and “Amon” is the god worshiped by the Thebans. Thebes was one of the centers of Egyptian civilization and, like Nineveh, was located on the banks of the Nile River as a natural fortress.
Thebes were not only geographically safe, but also surrounded by allies, but fell. Likewise, Nineveh, who relies on her own strength, will be doomed to destruction. To say that Nineveh will become like Noamon also hints at their suffering.
In other words, they will suffer just as they did to Thebes. Their children will be thrown to dust, as Assyria did to the people of Thebes. Leaders will become slaves and the people will become nomads. The Prophet says, “If this had happened to Thebes, how could it not have happened in Nineveh?”
Their pride and false convictions will be utterly broken when the Medes and Babylons take the city. Nineveh will drink the cup of God's wrath and become drunk. Verse 11 says, “You too will be drunk and hide; you too will seek refuge from your enemies.”
Being “drunk you too” describes their helplessness in the face of the attackers. Moreover, Nineveh, realizing that they have no strength to face it, will seek refuge, but will not find it and will receive no help. The conquest of Nineveh will be so easy that the ripe figs will simply fall.
Verse 12 says, “All your strongholds will be like the firstfruits of a fig tree, which, when shaken, fall into the mouths of those who eat them.” The stronghold that protected them from enemy attacks would crumble as easily as the ripe figs of the harvest season.
This parable of the fig tree, which falls when shaken, suggests that Nineveh's time for judgment is imminent. Verse 13 says, “Your men are like women, and the gates of your land are wide open before your enemies, and the bars are burned with fire.” The soldiers who were first guarding the city will become weak like women, and will retreat in fear, instead of confronting their enemies. The gates will be opened and the bars will burn, and no one will put out the fire.
3. It is Nineveh that cannot escape God's judgment (verses 14-19),
1) It is useless to defend. (14-15)
The first is to gather and store water. When a castle is under siege, the most important things are food and water. However, the invaders will be the first to stop the water flowing into the castle.
The second is to fortify the acids. But on that day, it will inevitably fall apart.
The third is to dig the mud to make bricks for repairing the walls. Because repairing a completely collapsed wall would require a huge amount of bricks.
The fourth is to “repair the brick kiln”. Fifth, the enemy will come like a swarm of locusts, so we will need to strengthen our defense forces.
2) Riches are of no use (verse 16).
As a great power, Nineveh was superior not only in military power but also in economic power. Trade flourished and there were as many traders as the stars in the sky, but they were in a hurry to pursue personal interests, so that day, they will leave for their own benefit rather than the country.
3) Even the leaders are useless (verse 17).
It depicts leaders scurrying away, as a swarm of locusts fly away when the morning sun's more dewy wings dry out.
4) Everyone rejoices in the end of Assyria (verses 18-19).
First, the shepherd is compared to a flock of sheep falling asleep. Second, Assyria is likened to an incurable, bruised body. The destruction of Nineveh shows that a God of justice lives and rules the world.
The fact that a nation or a leader is established and destroyed is all under the sovereignty of God. Therefore, believers must feel God's sovereign hand in history. In order to keep our faith strong in a chaotic and changing world, we need confidence in God's sovereignty above all else.
Dear saints, Jehovah God the Father created the heavens and the earth through the word of God and is in control of them, and is governing the leaders of all the nations of the world. In the name of the Lord, I bless you in the name of the Lord that you have the wisdom to understand God's will by asking it in prayer before trying to do anything with the shallow wisdom of human beings.
Source 3927bible Word Research Institute