Nahum 2 - Introduction

The Lord Was Against Nineveh

Nahum Two

God had used Nineveh as His rod to chastise His people, Israel. Now He sends a warning by his prophet that someone was coming to attack and scatter Nineveh. He told them to (1) Guard their fortresses! (2) Watch the road! (3) Be brave! And to (4) Prepare for battle! What a strong prophecy. God told Nineveh to use all possible means of defense; but He warned that it would all be in vain. God's people had been sufficiently chastised and now the Lord is going to restore their power and glory. Fear would fill the hearts of Nineveh in the day of attack when they observed the red shields of the enemy and their uniforms of crimson. The chariots were flashing with metal as preparations were made for battle and the invading soldiers were brandishing their long spears of fir; they were ready for battle.

The Lord was against Nineveh. In vivid details God described the siege and capture of Nineveh. When the enemies came their horses pranced, and their armed chariots darted around like lightning. They ran to and fro and jostled one against another. The king called his nobles to defend Nineveh. In their haste they stumbled over each other as they tried in futility to prepare to defend the city. Nahum even envisioned the invader opening the dam gates on the Tigris River and flooding the city. Nahum even saw the palace washed away. Assyria had destroyed many cities, palaces, and temples, and now they would reap what they had sown. When Nineveh was carried away her women would make mournful sounds and beat their breasts like doves that cooed and flapped their wings

The people of Nineveh would run as their city was flooded with water and none would stop to defend her. The invading solders would plunder Nineveh of her vast wealth. The invading army would empty Nineveh of her treasures, and it would become a desolate wasteland. Nineveh would be like a lion's feeding ground for the Assyrians. Lions killed only what they needed for food. The Assyrians killed simply because they were vicious toward their enemies. Nothing could be worse than the fate of Nineveh. The Almighty God was against them.