Read Nahum 2:3–13
Questions from the Scripture text: What, belonging to whom, are made what color (Nahum 2:3a)? Who are dressed in what color (verse 3b)? With what are the chariots “dressed” (verse 3c)? In what day (verse 3d)? What are shaken (verse 3e)? What do the chariots do, where (Nahum 2:4a)? What do they do to each other (verse 4b)? What do they seem like (verse 4c)? How do they run (verse 4d)? Whom does he remember (Nahum 2:5a)? What interrupts their walking (verse 5b)? Where are they going, at what speed (verse 5c)? What is being prepared (verse 5d)? What are opened (Nahum 2:6a)? What is dissolved/melted (verse 6b)? How does Nahum 2:7a indicate that this has been established? What will happen to Nineveh (verse 7b)? Who will lead her (verse 7c–d)? With what mournful sounds (verse 7e)? And actions (verse 7f)? How does Nahum 2:8a describe her former peace and security? But what do her citizens do now (verse 8b)? What are others shouting after them (verse 8c)? But how is the haste of their fleeing demonstrated (verse 8d)? What do her invaders do (Nahum 2:9)? How much? What (and who) is left (Nahum 2:10a)? What does this cause in her citizens (verse 10b)? What do they feel (verse 10c)? From where? How does verse 10d describe the extent to which they are horrified and devastated? What rhetorical question does Nahum 2:11a ask? And verse 11b? And Nahum 2:11-12d? What does this imply about how Nineveh used to be? What do the rhetorical questions this imply about what has happened to Nineveh? How does Nahum 2:13 introduce itself? Who is speaking in it? What is His relation to Nineveh? What is He going to do to her chariots? And to her young lions (cf. Nahum 2:11-12)? What will He do to their ability to prey upon others? Who will no longer report her victories?
What endures? Nahum 2:3–13 prepares us for the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that your relationship with God is the one thing that endures.
The Lord’s restoration of His people (Nahum 2:2) goes hand-in-hand with His vengeance upon those who have oppressed them (Nahum 2:3-13). What do we learn from His own description and explanation of that vengeance? We learn the nature of His vengeance, the nature of this life, and the nature of relationship with God.
The nature of His vengeance. The description in Nahum 2:3-4 uses the colors and appearance of the weapons, men, and vehicles to describe the invasion of the suburbs, outside the wall, like a wildfire (cf. Nahum 1:10), bearing down on the city. The king of Assyria remembers his mightiest men (Nahum 2:5a), but they stumble themselves into position (verse 5b–d). Then, in a moment, not only do all the defenses melt (Nahum 2:6), but also the hearts of the people (Nahum 2:7). No warrior stands (Nahum 2:8), no treasure remains (Nahum 2:9), the city and their joy are emptied (Nahum 2:10), and nothing is left of the pride of their pride (i.e., Assyria as a community of lions, Nahum 2:11-12). God’s vengeance is fiery, inevitable, just, and complete. We must remember this, when we are tempted to take our own, weak vengeance instead; or, when we are discouraged by what the wicked are doing; or, when we are tempted to think that we can sin with no repercussions.
The nature of this life. Nineveh, as the capital of Assyria, is the perfect example of the people who have everything in this life. Safety, security, wealth, impressiveness, confidence, even family. But how easily those things come to nothing in a moment. The Tigris on her west wall becomes the method by which her fortifications melt (Nahum 2:6). How quickly their rejoicing turns to the deepest mourning (Nahum 2:7, Nahum 2:10b–d). They go from calm and peaceful as a pool of water, to unable to get their warriors even to look back as they flee (Nahum 2:8). Their limitless treasure (Nahum 2:9) is entirely emptied (Nahum 2:10a). And their fierceness toward others (Nahum 2:11), and fierce loyalty toward one another (Nahum 2:12a–b), suddenly vanish. How many live for these things: safety, security, wealth, influence, pleasure, belonging. But Scripture teaches us to hold onto these things with a light grip; the form of this world is passing away (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:29–31). If we receive every good thing as a gift and assignment from the Lord, then very well. But if we treat them as the substance of our lives, then let us remember Nahum 2:3–13, and how even Nineveh lost them all in one fell swoop. Even Christian families must hold onto Christ together, if we hope that our family bond will be something that endures.
The nature of relationship with God. What is Nineveh’s great problem? That YHWH Himself is against her. He demands attention: “Behold Me! I am against you!” (Nahum 2:13a, more literally translated). He says it, not in the third person through the prophet, but His own voice (“an utterance of YHWH,” verse 13a, more literally translated). Finally, YHWH emphasizes His own action: though the sword is what will devour Nineveh’s young lions, YHWH Himself “will burn your chariots in smoke,” and YHWH Himself “will cut off your prey from the earth.” Give the Lord Himself all your attention, dear reader. Either He is for you, in which case all the creation avails nothing against you (cf. Romans 8:31). Or, He is against you (Nahum 2:13a), in which case all the creation avails nothing for you. The world is full of messengers and messages about earthly victory, security, prosperity, pleasure, and community. At last, all of these messengers fall silent (end of verse 13). Only one messenger’s words last. The one who preaches the gospel (cf. Nahum 1:15) as an ambassador who offers for God to be “for you” through the sacrifice of Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:20–21). This is the great consideration of your existence: YHWH is either against you in yourself, or for you in Christ. Be His in Christ!
In light of what is going on in the world, and your life, how is God’s vengeance comforting you? How is it warning you? What parts of earthly life most threaten to consume your thoughts, feelings, desires, plans, and efforts? How are you making use of His means to have the Lord Himself being the primary substance of all of these things in your life? How do you know whether God is for you or against you? What does this mean for your life right now?
Sample prayer: Lord, in You we live and move and have our being. Forgive us for how we have lived forgetfully of You, as if the things of this world had any significance apart from You. Grant that, by Your Spirit, we might live by faith in Christ, knowing that You are for us, in Him. Through Him we ask it, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP46 “God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength” or TPH515 “More Than Conquerors”
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