THE BOOK OF NAHUM
(“Four Charges Against Nineveh”)
Nahum 3:1-19 (NASU)
“Woe to the bloody city, completely full of lies and pillage; her prey never departs.” (Nahum 3:1)
SOMETIMES HE MOVES SLOWLY – OTHER TIMES HE MOVES QUICKLY
(1) Scripture tells us again and again that God is “slow to anger” – which means (among other things) that He generally does not bring judgment on those who deserve it, the MOMENT they deserve it. Otherwise (for example), the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah wouldn’t have lasted as long as they did (c.f. Genesis 13:10) – nor the Amorites (c.f. Genesis 15:16) – nor the Assyrian Empire (c.f. Jonah 3:1-10) – nor many other nations and individuals, including the Hitler’s and Hussein’s, the Iran’s and North Korea’s of this present world (not to mention ourselves, and our own beloved country).
Moses said: “The Lord is SLOW to anger and abundant in lovingkindness …” (c.f. Numbers 14:18) – Nehemiah said: “You are a God of forgiveness, gracious and compassionate, SLOW to anger …” (c.f. Nehemiah 9:17) – David wrote: “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, SLOW to anger and abounding in lovingkindness” (c.f. Psalm 103:8) – the prophet Joel said: “the Lord your God … is gracious and compassionate, SLOW to anger … and relenting of evil” (c.f. Joel 2:13) – Jonah said: “I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, SLOW to anger … and one who relents concerning calamity” (c.f. Jonah 4:2) – and even the prophet Nahum said: “The Lord is SLOW to anger and great in power …” (c.f. Nahum 1:3).
(2) If God were not “SLOW to anger” – if He always carried out the judgment people and nations deserve, the MOMENT we deserved it – none of us would be here tonight! In fact, there wouldn’t be any people on earth at all – in part, because Scripture says: “There is NONE righteous, not even one” (c.f. Roman 3:10) – “for ALL have sinned and fall(en) short of the glory of God” (c.f. Romans 3:23) – and, “those who practice (sin) are worthy of DEATH” (c.f. Roman 1:32). If God were not “SLOW to anger”, the human race would probably have ended back in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve (c.f. Genesis 3:1-13).
(3) If we search for answers, as to why the Lord is “SLOW to anger”, we discover that it has nothing to do with His being weak, or lacking resolve. On the contrary, one part of the answer can be found in several of the passages we just quoted – namely, that God is “gracious and compassionate” (c.f. Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 103:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2) – that He is (as Jesus said), “kind to ungrateful and evil men” (c.f. Luke 6:35) – hence, Scripture says: “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (c.f. Matthew 5:45).
But God is not “SLOW to anger” JUST SO He can draw attention to Himself, by putting His “compassion and grace” on display. His “slowness to anger” also has a very practical purpose, so far as sinful people and nations are concerned – because it gives us ample time (and more!) to repent and be saved. Hence, Scripture asks: “do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (c.f. Romans 2:4) – and again: “I gave her time to repent …” (c.f. Revelation 2:21) – and once more, “the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah …” (c.f. I Peter 3:20).
In a fallen world, criminals are often able to delay being sentenced for their offenses (or even escape jail time altogether) through legal maneuvers and technicalities, that tie a judge’s hands (so to speak). In God’s courtroom, however, no one (who deserves it) ever escapes divine retribution – BUT, the Judge Himself frequently chooses to delay carrying out judgment, so offenders can have more time (than they deserve) to confess their sins and repent, and flee to Christ for salvation. The fact He does this freely, without being coerced, is a truly astounding thing to consider!
(4) Because He is “SLOW to anger”, the retribution wicked men and evil nations deserve often seems SLOW in coming – especially to those who are suffering on account of the sinful behavior of others.
The Psalmist asked: 3“How long … O Lord … shall the wicked exult? … 4they speak arrogantly … (and) vaunt themselves. 5They crush Your people … and afflict Your heritage. 6They slay the widow and … murder … orphans” (c.f. Psalm 94:3-6).
The prophet Habakkuk cried out: 2“How long, O Lord, will I call for help, and You will not hear? I cry out to You, ‘Violence!’ Yet You do not save. 3Why do You make me see iniquity, and cause me to look on wickedness? … destruction and violence are before me; strife exists and contention arises. 4… the law is ignored and justice is never upheld … the wicked surround the righteous … (and) justice comes out perverted” (c.f. Habakkuk 1:2-4).
In the Book of Revelation, the souls of those who were slain because of the word of God – and because they had maintained a faithful testimony, even in the face of death – cry out, and ask: “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (c.f. Revelation 6:9).
The people of Judah probably wondered how long God was going to let them go on living under the oppressive shadow of an evil Assyrian Empire. Early Christians probably wondered how long God was going to let the rapidly degenerating Roman Empire burned them alive, and throw them to the lions. Christians in various parts of the world today – in places like India, the Sudan, China, and many Muslim countries – are probably wondering how long God is going to let them be “killed and brutalized, sold into slavery, imprisoned and tortured, threatened and arrested,”1 before He brings their persecutors to justice.
(5) The Lord is so “SLOW to anger” (for which we should all be grateful!), that evil men often think He’s kidding about judging them – or that Christians are using scare-tactics (or misrepresenting the “God of love”) when they talk about Him bringing judgment on individuals and nations.
Peter said: 3“… in the last days MOCKERS will come … following after their own lusts, 4and saying, ‘Where is the promise of (Christ’s) coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation” (c.f. II Peter 3:3-4).
The Psalmist wrote: 2“Rise up, O Judge of the earth, render recompense to the PROUD … 7(for) they have said, ‘The Lord does not see, nor does the God of Jacob pay heed’” (c.f. Psalm 94:1-7).
The prophet Jeremiah wrote: “THEY HAVE LIED ABOUT THE LORD and said, ‘… misfortune will not come on us ... we will (never) see (the) sword or famine” (c.f. Jeremiah 5:12).
While Solomon observed that: “because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly (because God is slow to anger), therefore the hearts of the sons of men … are given fully to do evil” (c.f. Ecclesiastes 8:11).
(6) It’s interesting to note, then, that while Scripture talks about God being “SLOW to anger”, it also tells us that, when He is no longer willing to “keep His anger” (c.f. Psalm 103:8-9) – when He is finally ready for the wicked to drink “the cup of His (wrath)” (c.f. Isaiah 51:17) – when the appointed day of judgment finally does arrive, events often transpire QUICKLY – in other words, when destruction does come, it often takes place SWIFTLY – in a relatively brief amount of time.
When Herod accepted the praise of men, instead of giving glory to God, the Book of Acts says: “IMMEDIATELY an angel of the Lord struck him … and he was eaten by worms and died” (c.f. Acts 12:23).
The prophet Zephaniah wrote: “Near is the great day of the Lord, near and coming VERY QUICKLY …” (c.f. Zephaniah 1:14).
Jesus said, at one point: 7“will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? 8I tell you that He will bring about justice for them QUICKLY …” (c.f. Luke 18:7-8).
While Peter said that false prophets are bringing “SWIFT destruction (up)on themselves” (c.f. II Peter 2:1).
(7) This is what happened to Nineveh – namely, that God was “SLOW to anger” at first – even to the point of delaying her demise for many years. However, when the end finally did come, it happened so SUDDENLY, and was over so FAST, that it took people’s breath away.
Through the prophet Isaiah, God said: “I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the pomp of his haughtiness” (c.f. Isaiah 10:12) – but for many years nothing happened.
The prophet Zephaniah said: “(God) will stretch out His hand against the north and destroy Assyria … He will make Nineveh a desolation …” (c.f. Zephaniah 2:13) – but Nineveh just kept getting stronger and stronger.
The prophet Zechariah wrote that, “the pride of Assyria will be brought down …” (c.f. Zechariah 10:11) – and yet, the lions of Assyria kept right on devouring their prey (c.f. Nahum 2:11-12; 3:1).
The prophet Jonah came along and said: “Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown” (c.f. Jonah 3:4) – but another one hundred and fifty years or so went by, and Nineveh still seemed as strong and secure as ever.
Then the prophet Nahum rose up and said: “(God) will make a complete end of (Nineveh’s) site …” (c.f. Nahum 1:8) – He will “lift up your skirts over your face … (and) throw filth on you …” (c.f. Nahum 3:5-6) – Nineveh will be “stripped”, left “desolate and waste” (c.f. Nahum 2:7; 3:7) – she will be “devastated”, and no one “will grieve for her” (c.f. Nahum 3:7). And yet, as much as fifty years went by – and Nineveh was still seducing and destroying other nations with “her harlotries and … sorceries” (c.f. Nahum 3:4).
BUT THEN … within the span of just a year or two, Nineveh went from being a thriving metropolis, filled with the wealth of nations, to a “parched wilderness” – home to “owls and hedgehogs, and beasts that range in herds” (c.f. Zephaniah 2:13). While the once mighty (but very evil) Assyrian Empire SUDDENLY disappeared from history, never to be again!
(B) A CITY OF SLAUGHTER AND DECEPTION, OF PROFITEERING AND VICTIMIZATION2
(1) In case anyone thinks the judgment God brought upon Nineveh was too severe, the third chapter of the Book of Nahum opens with a brief list of the charges, of which she has been found guilty,3 saying (in verse one): “Woe to the bloody city, completely full of lies and pillage; her prey never departs” (c.f. Nahum 3:1).
(2) The word “woe” can either be taken for a curse,2 or an expression of grief.4 Since the Book of Nahum says no one is going to be grieved over Nineveh’s demise (except maybe the handful Assyrians who manage to survive) (c.f. Nahum 3:7, 19), it seems best to take this “woe” as a curse – as in, “Cursed be the bloody city, completely full of lies and pillage” (c.f. Nahum 3:1) – the curse being that God is “against” her (c.f. Nahum 2:13; 3:5) – and that He is going to “make a complete end” of her (c.f. Nahum 1:8), because of all the atrocities she has committed – not just against other peoples in general, but against His covenant people in particular (c.f. Nahum 1:12b, 15; 2:2) (which is a thread we have not said much about lately – nor will we tonight).
(3) The first charge brought against Nineveh is that she was a “bloody city” (c.f. Nahum 3:1). To put it another way, she was a “bloodthirsty city”5 – a city that enjoyed excessive cruelty, slaughtered whole peoples, and reveled in human carnage.
We’ve noted several times in previous messages,6 that this is not just the opinion of others – it’s what the Assyrians themselves boasted of, in their own historical records.7 One sculptured relief found by archeologists depicts the king of Assyria and his queen celebrating their victory over the Elamites with a great banquet – and near the banquet table is a tree with the severed head of the king of Elam dangling from one of the branches.5
The Assyrian’s thirst for blood is depicted in verse three, which says (in part): “many slain, a mass of corpses, and countless dead bodies – they stumble over the dead bodies!” (c.f. Nahum 3:3). One writer said: “The Assyrians slaughtered people without regard for age (c.f. Nahum 3:10) or gender, and then stacked the corpses like (cords of wood) as a warning to anyone who might think about opposing them in the future.”8
Warren Wiersbe notes that excessive cruelty and the shedding of innocent blood is an especially serious sin that God remembers and judges.8 For example, the Book of Proverbs says there are seven things “the Lord hates” – seven things that are “an abomination to Him” – and number three on that list is “hands that shed innocent blood” (c.f. Proverbs 6:16-19).
Elsewhere, Scripture says God closes His ears to those “hasten to shed innocent blood” (c.f. Isaiah 59:1, 7) – while in another place God said: 19“… Edom will become a desolate wilderness, because of the violence done TO THE SONS OF JUDAH, in whose land they have shed innocent blood … 21and I will avenge their blood” (c.f. Joel 3:19-21).
The kings, and armies, and citizens of the Assyrian Empire were guilty – not just of shedding blood – but of shedding INNOCENT blood. That is, of unnecessary and gratuitous killing – of murdering defenseless people, including women and little children, as well as the aged, long after their victory over the city or nation they were attacking had been secured.
Does anyone seriously think God was wrong to have punished the people of Nineveh for this? That He should have withheld His vengeance for this deliberate and insatiable shedding of innocent blood (c.f. Jeremiah 9:9)?
(4) The second charge brought by God against Nineveh is that she was “completely full of lies” (c.f. Nahum 3:1).
The word “completely” tells us lying and deceit, dishonesty and deception weren’t just things the king and people of Nineveh did occasionally – nor was it due to a proverbial slip of the tongue. Instead, lying was a way of life for the Assyrians, especially when dealing with other peoples and nations.
The psalmist could have been talking about the Assyrians (although he wasn’t) when he said: 1“Rescue me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men 2who devise evil things in their hearts; (who) continually stir up wars. 3They sharpen their tongues as a serpent; (and the) poison of a viper is under their lips” (c.f. Psalm 140:1-3) – as well as the prophet Jeremiah (although he wasn’t, either) when he said: 8“Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceit; with his mouth one speaks peace to his neighbor, but inwardly he sets an ambush for him”.
And then he goes on to add this: 9“‘Shall I not punish them for these things?’ declares the Lord. ‘On a nation such as this shall I not avenge Myself?’” (c.f. Jeremiah 9:8-9) – rhetorical questions, whose unspoken answer implies that the Lord would be neither just nor righteous (c.f. Psalm 11:6-7) if He were to allow a nation like this, or a people like this, to go unpunished.
“Lies” and deceit “completely” (c.f. Nahum 3:1) permeated the Assyrian’s relationships with each other. O. Palmer Robertson writes: “Every time a citizen opened his mouth, beneath his most convincing, straightforward statement was a twist, a hidden intent, a conscious ambiguity. In order to flatter, to cover up, to distract from (ones) actual intent, the citizens of Assyria dissimulated, equivocated, and veiled the true purpose of their hearts by carefully choosing their words.”5
To put it another way, they were careful never to give a straight answer – or let their true intentions be known. (Sounds a lot like today, doesn’t it?!) As David said, in Psalm Five: “There is nothing reliable in what they say …” (c.f. Psalm 5:9).
“Lies” and deceit also “completely” (c.f. Nahum 3:1) dominated the Assyrian’s dealings with other nations – in this regard, that they would often promise one thing, while fully intending to do something entirely different.
We have a biblical example of this in the honey-coated words of “Rabshakeh”, an ambassador sent by Assyrian King Sennacherib, who promised the citizens of Jerusalem that if they surrendered, “they would not die – on the contrary, every person would get to eat from his own vine and fig tree, and drink water from his own cistern, until such time as the king of Assyria came and took them to a land much like their own – a land filled with grain and new wine, with bread and vineyards, olive trees and honey” (c.f. II Kings 18:28-32).
Had King Hezekiah chosen to believe the Assyrians – had he chosen to surrender – none of what had been promised would have happened. Indeed, it would have turned out just the opposite – in that many of the people would have been slaughtered – and those who were spared would have been sold into slavery.
The Assyrians were hardened and habitual liars. Nevertheless, some peoples, and cities, and nations chose to believe their lies – and every one of them suffered the inevitable consequences that follow, when one decides to trust the word of a bloodthirsty lion (c.f. Nahum 2:11-12). “‘Shall I not punish them for these things?’ declares the Lord. ‘On a nation such as this shall I not avenge Myself?’” (c.f. Jeremiah 9:8-9).
(5) The third charge leveled by God against Nineveh is that she was “completely full of … pillage” (c.f. Nahum 3:1). The NIV says “plunder” – the NKJV uses the word “robbery”. Not only did the Assyrians have an insatiable lust for blood, they also had an equally ravenous appetite for material things – for “silver (and) gold”, and “every kind of desirable object” (c.f. Nahum 2:9).
Again, their own historical records prove they were guilty of this charge. One such list mentioned (in part): “chariots supplied with the equipment for men and horses; numerous talents of silver, gold, lead, copper, (and) iron; brightly colored garments of every fabric; golden bowls, golden beakers, golden goblets, golden pitchers; camels … elephants, monkeys, (and) apes; ivory couches inlaid (with jewels) … horses … cattle (and) sheep.”9
Another thing about the Assyrians is that they never had enough. Like a thirsty man drinking salt water, the more they had the more they wanted – which, in turn, drove them from one victim to another.7
James Boice notes that the Assyrian Empire was not in the business of producing wealth – they were in the business of stealing it from others.10 Hence, theirs was an economy based on “pillage” (c.f. Nahum 3:1) and “plunder” (NIV) – on stealing and profiteering.2
Scripture says we are to build wealth by working with our own hands – and not by “robbery” (NKJV) or theft (c.f. Ephesians 4:28). But the Assyrians did just the opposite. “‘Shall I not punish them for these things?’ declares the Lord. ‘On a nation such as this shall I not avenge Myself?’” (c.f. Jeremiah 9:8).
(6) The last charge leveled by God against Nineveh is that “her prey never departs” (c.f. Nahum 3:1). The NIV captures the essence of this indictment, saying she is “never without victims”. In other words, the Assyrians never ceased their wild, lion-like plunder11 and tearing apart of other peoples and other nations (c.f. Nahum 2:11-12). As soon as they devoured one, they looked around to see who they could victimize next. As one writer points out: “the later history of Assyria is one of almost uninterrupted warfare”12 – which means her later history is one of almost uninterrupted bloodshed and pillage (c.f. Nahum 3:1).
Had the Assyrians not been destroyed, they would have kept right on preying on the weak and defenseless – annihilating whole cities and peoples, entire nations and cultures. “‘Shall I not punish them for these things?’ declares the Lord. ‘On a nation such as this shall I not avenge Myself?’” (c.f. Jeremiah 9:9).
(7) Numerous passages of Scripture tell us God is “SLOW to anger” (for which every person, including you and me, should be extremely grateful) (c.f. Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Psalm 103:8). However, many of those same passages go on to say (often in the same verse, or the next) that, “(God) will by no means leave the guilty unpunished” (c.f. Exodus 34:7) – that, “He will by no means clear the guilty” (c.f. Numbers 14:18) – and that, “He will not … keep His anger forever” (c.f. Psalm 103:9) (see also Nahum 1:3).
We can draw comfort from this whenever we (or those we love) are suffering at the hands of wicked and evil men – namely, that (short of their repentance) divine justice will ultimately prevail.
We can also be glad that the punishment we deserve personally, has already been poured out on our Savior – who’s name is Jesus.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/15390.htm
2Robertson: The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah;
The New International Commentary on the Old Testament;
p. 100.
3The New Geneva Study Bible: Footnote on Nahum 3:1-7;
p. 1439.
4BCS: Strong’s Concordance; Word #3759.
5Robertson: Ibid; p. 101.
6See Sermons dated 11-09-08 (p.m.); pgs. 11-13; and 11-
16-08 (p.m.); p. 11.
7The New Geneva Study Bible: Footnote on Nahum 3:1;
p. 1439.
8Wiersbe: Be Amazed; p. 104.
9Robertson: Ibid; p. 93.
10Boice: The Minor Prophets; Vol. Two; p. 68.
11Unger: Commentary on the Old Testament; Vol. II; p.
1890.
12Wycliffe Bible Commentary; p. 867.