“ He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face: keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily.
For the LORD hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches. “
- Nahum 2:1-2 (KJV)
NAHUM - V
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We are back in Nahum after the Easter break, though our Page will continue to sport its Resurrection image as a reminder,that, Christ showed Himself alive to many people for 40 days after He was resurrected, ascending 10 days before Pentecost/Shavuot!
When He said it was “finished” on Good Friday, He was referring to His mission, and the conquest of the evil one. Much work still remained to be done after that, as well as now ( present day ), before the final confrontation we long for can take place.
Our text from Nahum this week resonates with that same message.
The sins of Jacob/Israel would have consequences, that needed to be dealt with, and it is the LORD, that takes —accountability— for allowing the “emptiers” to mar the branches of the vine He has planted.
Their reign of superiority over His people is coming to an end, and one is coming to exact retribution for the many evils that this city/empire have committed —- against Israel, and humanity around them.
This end determined WILL occur, despite all attempts to prevent it , and the anger of the LORD is revealed in His words to the Assyrians to …. go, do whatever is in your power, strengthen your fortifications, call up your reservists, set a watch and guard, and prepare as best you can to avoid the person & doom that is coming for you! ( paraphrasing).
“The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken. The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings. He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared. “ - Nahum 2:3-5
What a picture of an incoming army and a city responding to siege !
Red shields and red uniforms for the invaders, the thunder of many swift chariots, both from the attackers and defenders, rushing to take their places for attack and defence, just like the officers and nobles (worthies) who are also running fast (and stumbling in their desperation ) to get to their posts to man the fortifications and hold off the enemy.
Armageddon is going to be like that. All the forces of the world will be arrayed to prevent an extraterrestrial attack on planet earth ( that’s how it will be portrayed ). Defenses of all kinds will be deployed, but they will be useless.
“The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved. And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts. But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back. - Nahum 2:6–8
The flooding of the river allowed Ninevehs walls to be breached… “dissolving the palace”. This is a historical fact, and Nineveh was subsequently destroyed by fire, and her citizens led captive.
The word Huzzab has been interpreted by some commentators as referring to Ninevehs queen ( KJV translators among them ). A more literal reading might go something like this…
“ [ Her goddess is taken out and taken into exile⌋;
her maidservants moan like doves; they beat on their breasts. Nineveh is like a pool of water without its water.
⌊As they flee⌋, she cries, “Stop! Stop!” But there is no one who turns back. “
—— from the Lexham Bible, which has this to say about that entry —- Literally “It is decreed that she be exiled and led away.” Masoretic Text reads the very enigmatic “And he is placed, she is sent into exile, she is taken up.” The BHS editors suggest the conjectural emendation “And her goddess = the idol of the patron deity of Nineveh is taken and taken into exile.”
The evil that ruled Nineveh is destroyed for a time, but it will reappear in the idolatry of Babylon, Medea-Persia, Greece, Rome, and the paganism of modern day before it is finished for good….. this was seen by Nebuchadnezzar ( an unlikely seer ? ) , and interpreted for him by a prisoner called Daniel !!
The plunderers and terrorizers are plundered and terrorized in their turn.
Nahum 2:9–10 (NASB95): “ Plunder the silver!Plunder the gold!For there is no limit to the treasure—Wealth from every kind of desirable object. She is emptied! Yes, she is desolate and waste!Hearts are melting and knees knocking!Also anguish is in the whole bodyAnd all their faces are grown pale!”
And the LORD has a final message for the lion that roams around seeking whom he might devour… our mutual enemy… and the symbol of assyria…
Nahum 2:11–13 (NASB95): “ 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? The lion tore enough for his cubs,Killed enough for his lionesses,And filled his lairs with prey, And his dens with torn flesh.
“Behold, I am against you,” declares the Lord of hosts. “I will burn up her chariots in smoke, a sword will devour your young lions; I will cut off your prey from the land, and no longer will the voice of your messengers be heard.”
What a message of hope for us today in this tiny little book from so long ago !!!
Evil, whether committed by Gods chosen people or forces he employs for judgment —- will come under the sweep of His justice. The oppressed will not suffer forever, for the Arm of the LORD will bring salvation!
Christ came and suffered as a Lamb, that didn’t even open its mouth as it was being offered….. BUT ——-His recorded spoken Words, are still saving lives and delivering Satans prisoners from the fear of death and the devil, from then till today!
Imagine what it will be on that day of reckoning, when He is the one that rises to fight, leading heavens armies, clothed in robes dipped in His own blood!
Satans house will be plundered of all its dainties, he shall empty the vine of LORD no more, and there is nothing he can do to prevent it!
Hallelujah!!!!