The Capture of Nineveh And It’s Destruction
December 24, 2020
Commentary
At the time of Nahum’s prophecy, Assyria was at the height of its power. Sennacherib had done much to increase the strength and magnificence of Nineveh, its capital, by building great temples, palaces, and fortifications. Nineveh was confident that it could not be overtaken but Nahum prophesies of her imminent and permanent destruction. In a few short years after his prophecy her end came as a coalition of Medes, Babylonians and Scythians besieged the city.
The Lord would scatter the Assyrians, no matter how well they prepared themselves for the coming battle (v. 1). The Assyrians had previously plundered Israel, metaphorically ruining their branches on the family tree of God’s people. But the Lord promised to restore the northern kingdom of Israel (v. 2). Israel is the name associated with glory and honor for God’s people, while Jacob recalls the failings of that patriarch and all his descendants. The ten lost tribes of Israel have yet to be restored.
Assyria’s enemies would come dressed in the color of blood, riding on chariots with metal flashing, and brandishing cypress spears (v. 3). The enemy chariots would have an easy time attacking the outer city, the streets and town squares built beyond the protection of the city walls (v. 4). The nobles would rush to defend the walls, preparing to defend against the enemy siege towers (v. 5). But in the end the Tigris River would be their undoing (v. 6). A flood destroyed a part of the wall, giving the enemy access to the city. Some scholars suggest the dam gates which were found in archaeological excavation, were closed to dam up the river. When an enormous amount of water had been accumulated, the gates were opened, allowing the water to flood Nineveh. From the queen to the lowest slave girl, all the women of Nineveh lamented the destruction (v. 7).
Application
If the United States of America ceased to exist tomorrow, would my faith in God be shaken? We are blessed beyond our understanding to live in a free and prosperous country, but let us remember who gave it to us, who has the power to take it away, and to be grateful.
Nahum 2:1– 7 (NET)
1 (2:2) An enemy who will scatter you, Nineveh, has advanced against you! Guard the rampart! Watch the road! Prepare yourselves for battle! Muster your mighty strength!
2 For the Lord is about to restore the majesty of Jacob, as well as the majesty of Israel, though their enemies have plundered them and have destroyed their fields.
3 The shields of his warriors are dyed red; the mighty soldiers are dressed in scarlet garments. The chariots are in flashing metal fittings on the day of battle; the soldiers brandish their spears.
4 The chariots race madly through the streets, they rush back and forth in the broad plazas; they look like lightning bolts, they dash here and there like flashes of lightning.
5 The commander orders his officers; they stumble as they advance; they rush to the city wall, and they set up the covered siege tower.
6 The sluice gates are opened; the royal palace is deluged and dissolves.
7 Nineveh is taken into exile and is led away; her slave girls moan like doves while they beat their breasts.
Illustration: World War II Was The Most Costly War in People Killed
By far the most costly war in terms of human life was World War II (1939-45), in which the total number of fatalities, including battle deaths and civilians of all countries, is estimated to have been 54,800,000, assuming 25,000,000 U.S.S.R. fatalities and 7,800,000 Chinese civilians killed. The country which suffered the most was Poland with 6,028,000 or 22.2 percent of her population of 27,007,000 killed. (Encyclopedia of Illustrations #14273).