Read Nahum 3:8–13
Questions from the Scripture text: What does Nahum 3:8 ask Nineveh, in comparison to whom? What was No Amon’s geographical situation? Who were her strength (Nahum 3:9a)? How great was this strength (verse 9b)? Who were her helpers (verse 9c)? But what happened to her (Nahum 3:10a–b)? And to her children (verse 10c–d)? And what, to whom else (verse 10e–f)? What three things will Nineveh have in common with No Amon (Nahum 3:11)? What are they trusting in (Nahum 3:12a)? But what will their “strength” be like (verse 12)? What will their warriors be like (Nahum 3:3a)? What will their defenses be like (verse 13b–c)?
Why does God call Nineveh’s attention to Thebes? Nahum 3:8–13 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we are too weak to endure God’s vengeance, and we are too wicked to avoid God’s vengeance.
What was Nineveh trusting in? They were hoping that they would be protected by the Tigris, on their west; and, their elimination of so many of their competitors; and, those they had cowered into alliance with them; and, their own formidable forces.
But they, of all people, should have known better.
Assyria themselves had humiliated No Amon (Nahum 3:8a, Thebes’s religious name) in the deep south of Egypt. Thebes had risen to glory 1400 earlier. The Nile was much more of a protection to them (verse 8b–f) than the Tigris was to Nineveh. And Thebes had alliances that were over 2000 years old (Nahum 3:9, cf. Genesis 10:6): Cush (modern Ethiopia and Sudan), Egypt (probably referring to lower/northern Egypt), Put (roughly modern Chad), and Lubim (roughly modern Libya).
The conquering of mighty and ancient Thebes was a massive victory for the Assyrians. By comparison, Nineveh’s protections were weak and pathetic. How fool-hardy was their confidence! It was Assyria who had brutalized the children (Nahum 3:10c–d), trafficked the elderly (verse 10e), and bound all the great men (verse 10f) of Thebes. But what Assyria didn’t count on was that the Lord would avenge Thebes. Assyria may have boasted in neutralizing Amon, but Amon was no true God.
YHWH is the avenger of all. “Also she!” led Nahum 3:10 in the original. “Also you!” leads both halves of Nahum 3:11 in the original. Nineveh, also, will stagger like a drunk (verse 11a), panic like a fugitive (verse 11c), tremble and fall apart like a fig tree (Nahum 3:12), faint like a woman (Nahum 3:13a), capitulate as a gate-breached city (verse 13b), burn as a conquered city (verse 13c).
Nineveh are too weak to survive God’s vengeance. And Nineveh are too wicked to avoid God’s vengeance.
But if Judah approvingly nod their heads at this, without responding in repentance, they will be subject to their own, dreadful “Also you!” Just as Nineveh was weaker than Thebes, Judah are far weaker. And whereas Assyria has perpetrated their wickedness upon image-bearers of God (and especially, therefore, against God Himself), Judah also has done their wickedness against God Himself.
Indeed, the images in this passage describe what comes upon all mankind, from greatest to smallest, in the last day. “And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:13–17). Here, again, is that question from Nahum 1:6.
We are too weak to survive God’s vengeance. And we are too wicked to avoid God’s vengeance. What shall we do? What protection can we have? Where can we go? Upon whom can we depend? The only answer to these questions is, “Jesus Christ alone!” Of course, we cannot cling to our sin and cling to Christ at the same time. Renouncing our sin is not our safety; only Christ is. But, we must renounce it and hide in Him! And, if we don’t, then let us not be surprised if, even in this world and life, visitation of that judgment comes upon us as a warning, as it did to Thebes, and Nineveh, and Judah.
How seriously have you taken the question of what will happen with you in the day of judgment? What are you hoping in, to protect you on that day? Will it hold up? What if that day was today?
Sample prayer: Lord, we are too wicked to avoid Your judgment and too weak to survive Your judgment. But the Lord Jesus Christ is righteous, and He has already endured the fullness of Your wrath for the sins of all who believe in Him. Hide us in Him, that we may be able to stand in the great day. And give each of us, our households, our church, and our nation to turn from our sin—lest Your judgment break into this world against us. Bear with us in patience, turn us from our sin in mercy and power, and forgive us through Christ, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP32AB “Why Do Gentile Nations Rage” or TPH433 “Amazing Grace”
No comments:
Post a Comment