Hebrews states the obvious: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10.31).
Nahum told the people living in Judah that the Assyrians were about to fall into the hands of God because God was against them.
See, I am against you, says the Lord of hosts, and I will burn your chariots in smoke, and the sword shall devour your young lions; I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers shall be heard no more (Nahum 2.13).
God never opposes people simply because He’s having a bad day. There are always very serious reasons why people come under the judgment of the living God.
The Judgment of the Living God
Chapter 3 details the reasons for God’s opposition to the Assyrians, with Nineveh as their capital.
Let’s explore these reasons, not only as a history lesson but also to consider their relevance to our lives. Let’s ask ourselves, “God, how could this happen to me or my nation?”
Nahum painted a picture of Nineveh as a city deeply entrenched in violence, deceit, and corrupt practices, leading to divine judgment.
(1) Nineveh is described as a city filled with violence and bloodshed.
Woe, city of bloodshed,
utterly deceitful, full of plunder—
no end to the prey! Nahum 3.1
After Cain killed his brother Abel the Lord said, “What have you done? Listen, your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground!” (Genesis 4.10).
Can you imagine the Lord’s grief over the innocent blood that is spilled through war and violence?
If you’re wondering what God thinks about the shedding of innocent blood, consider the wisdom of the Proverbs.
There are six things that the Lord hates,
seven that are an abomination to him . . .
Hands that shed innocent blood. Proverbs 6.16-17
(2) Verse 1 also highlights the Assyrians’ nature as being utterly deceitful with no end to their desire to oppress others.
The dictionary defines avarice as an excessive or insatiable desire for wealth or gain. The term suggests a harmful level of greed where a person may prioritize accumulating wealth over more ethical considerations or the welfare of others.
Throughout history, humans have engaged in bloodshed, manipulation, and warfare driven by their unquenchable thirst for property and wealth.
In Nahum’s time, this was true for Assyria, and it certainly applies to people all over the world today.
(3) Along with insatiable greed they utilized their superior military might to inflict significant damage on their neighbors.
In his commentary on Nahum, Ralph Smith notes that the atrocities of war committed by the Assyrians were so extreme that he found them too graphic to put in print.
The crack of whip and rumble of wheel,
galloping horse and bounding chariot!
Horsemen charging,
flashing sword and glittering spear,
piles of dead,
heaps of corpses,
dead bodies without end—
they stumble over the bodies! Nahum 3.2-3
When we observe current news footage of conflicts globally, we see bodies scattered on the ground, mass graves, and horrendous harm inflicted upon innocent people. Nahum’s observations about his era accurately depict our times as well.
(4) Nahum likened Nineveh to a prostitute engaging in countless debaucheries. Using seduction and sorcery, she enslaved nations and peoples.
Because of the countless debaucheries of the prostitute,
gracefully alluring, mistress of sorcery,
who enslaves nations through her debaucheries
and peoples through her sorcery. Nahum 3.4
The Bible often uses the term “prostitution” to describe human unfaithfulness to God, as we choose idols over God.
Today’s idols that we serve include materialism, nationalism, self-reliance, and self-centered desires.
Nahum repeatedly uses the phrase that God is against the people, serving as a frame for his message. The content of this picture is shaped by the behaviors that position us in opposition to God.
I am against you,
says the Lord of hosts. Nahum 3.5
We will always be on the right path when we align ourselves with God’s plans and purposes.
Additionally, the world benefits when we pray for leaders in business, religion, and government to align with God’s vision for the world.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 