BIG IDEA:
WHEN THE SOVEREIGN LORD TARGETS NINEVEH FOR DESTRUCTION,
THE DEVASTATION IS SWIFT AND TERRIFYING
INTRODUCTION:
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God when He is unleashing the power of His wrath. Those who imagine themselves to be untouchable are the very ones whom God will bring crashing down. There is no strength or defense that can stand up against the Almighty. Nineveh was fortunate enough to receive the opportunity to repent under the preaching of Jonah; but here we see nothing but decreed devastation. There comes a time when God’s patience has been exhausted. But likewise the Lord encourages His people that He will restore the afflicted to splendor in His good time.
I. (2:1-2) THE STRENGTH (OR WEAKNESS) OF NATIONS DOES NOT PROTECT THEM AGAINST THE REVERSAL OF FORTUNES —
TWO DIFFERENT DESTINIES:
A. (:1) Nineveh Under Attack
1. The Wheel Has Turned – Sovereign Control of History
The Enemy is at the Gate / Defeat and Captivity are Imminent
“The one who scatters has come up against you.”
Contrast how believers are called to ministry of edification
2. The Futile Call to Arms – 4 Rapid-Fire Commands
a. Call to Battle Stations
“Man the fortress”
b. Call to Watchtower Alertness
“watch the road;”
c. Call to Courage
“Strengthen your back,”
d. Call to Fight Strong
“summon all your strength.”
B. (:2) Judah Restored
1. The Wheel Has Turned – Sovereign Control of History
“For the Lord will restore the splendor of Jacob
Like the splendor of Israel”
2. The Devastation Will be Reversed
“Even though devastators have devastated them
And destroyed their vine branches.”
II. (2:3-6) THE ATTACKING FORCES QUICKLY BREACH THE WALLS
Note: The interpretation of the details in this section greatly differ – especially which phrases refer to the attacking army of Assyria and which might have reference to the defending troops within the city walls of Nineveh. I take this section as descriptive of the attacking forces under the direction of the “one who scatters” (vs. 1).
A. (:3) Attacking Forces Armed to the Teeth
1. Impressive Shields
“The shields of his mighty men are colored red”
2. Impressive Armor
“The warriors are dressed in scarlet”
3. Impressive Chariots
“The chariots are enveloped in flashing steel”
4. Impressive Spears
“And the cypress spears are brandished.”
B. (:4) Attacking Forces Rush to Their Staging Positions
“The chariots race madly in the streets,
They rush wildly in the squares,
Their appearance is like torches,
They dash to and fro like lightning flashes.”
Johnson: The streets “may include the avenues and suburban highways about Nineveh and leading to the city, for the context describes an attack that gradually leads to the city’s walls” (Maier, The Book of Nahum: A Commentary, p. 243).
C. (:5) Attacking Forces Prepare to Breach the Walls of Nineveh
“He remembers his nobles;
They stumble in their march,
They hurry to her wall,
And the mantelet is set up.”
D. (:6) Flood Gates Opened
“The gates of the rivers are opened
And the palace is dissolved.”
III. (2:7-10) THE CITY IS STRIPPED AND THE PEOPLE REDUCED TO TERROR AND ANGUISH
A. (:7) Four-Fold Summary of Defeat and Devastation
1. Finality of the Decreed Defeat
“It is fixed”
2. City Looted
“She is stripped”
3. People Carried Away to Captivity
“she is carried away”
4. Emotional Trauma and Anguish
“And her handmaids are moaning like the sound of doves,
Beating on their breasts.”
B. (:8) Panic-stricken People Fleeing the City
“Though Nineveh was like a pool of water throughout her days,
Now they are fleeing;
‘Stop, stop,’
But no one turns back.”
C. (:9) Wealth of City Plundered
“Plunder the silver!
Plunder the gold!
For there is no limit to the treasure –
Wealth from every kind of desirable object.”
D. (:10) Four-Fold Summary of Defeat and Devastation
1. City Emptied
“She is emptied!”
2. City Devastated
“Yes, she is desolate and waste”
3. People are Terrified and Panic-stricken
“Hearts are melting and knees knocking!”
4. People are Traumatized and in Shock
“Also anguish is in the whole body
And all their faces are grown pale!”
III. (2:11-13) THE OPPOSITION OF THE LORD DEVOURS THE DEVOURER
A. (:11-12) The Powerful Predator is Nowhere to Be Found
1. (:11) Former Protected Lair
“Where is the den of the lions
And the feeding place of the young lions,
Where the lion, lioness and lion’s cub prowled,
With nothing to disturb them?”
2. (:12) Former Predatory Prosperity
“The lion tore enough for his cubs,
Killed enough for his lionesses,
And filled his lairs with prey
And his dens with torn flesh.”
B. (:13) Summary Proclamation of Condemnation
1. Opposition of the Lord
“’Behold, I am against you,’ declares the Lord of hosts.”
2. Destruction of Military Resources
“I will burn up her chariots in smoke,”
3. Destruction of Fighting Forces
“a sword will devour your young lions;”
4. Elimination of Material Sustenance
“I will cut off your prey from the land,”
5. Elimination of Power and Prestige
“and no longer will the voice of your messengers be heard.”