The Task of the Executioner
In this chapter we will hear Nahum’s prophecy of the destruction
of Assyria. Historically we know it
happened at the hand of the Babylonians.
But there is something powerful to hear in the fall of Assyria.
Remember that Assyria was called by God to mete out His judgment
against Israel. The Assyrians were the
tool in the hand of God. They were
called to bring Israel into captivity.
Yet, there are many ways to accomplish this task. There is a malicious and vindictive way that
treats those under judgment as though they are unworthy of life. This is the method Assyria used. They came to Israel and were cruel. They killed without mercy. They tore down with no compassion. They killed women and children simply to drive
home the point that the Hebrew people were conquered and had no hope. From a strictly worldly perspective, the
Assyrians were doing what they thought necessary to put the threat of Israel
below them so they would never have to deal with them again.
But what we hear in this chapter of Nahum is that God is offended
when we take the malicious approach.
When God asks us to mete out His judgment, He doesn’t want us to do it
without mercy. When called upon to hand
out God’s judgment He desires us to do it with the same grace and compassion
that He has in treating us.
Don’t get me wrong here. We
all need judgment. We all make mistakes and need correction – especially me! It is possible to smash those who make
mistakes under our feet so that they never get back up. It is also possible to come along beside them
demonstrate their mistakes and walk with them as they repair their life.
Assyria chose the malicious path.
As a result of that choice, the “scatterer” has come against them.” God had planned for Israel to come alive
again. When Assyria took a course that
would prevent such a reality, Assyria went from being the executioner to being
in need of judgment itself. That is
unfortunate. You don’t want to follow
that example. Rather, execute God’s
justice with love and mercy that allows the judged to repent and rebuild. In such a way you open the door for God to do
the same to you!
Helplessness in the Face of God
Nahum 2:2-7 gives us an idea of what it feels like to transition
from God’s executioner to the one in need of God’s judgment. For the record, I’m willing to bet we’ve all
been there. We’ve all made that
transition from being called by God to do something and then going too far and
needing to be reigned in ourselves. I
know I have, more than once!
What we see in verse 3 is that the favor of the Lord is upon a new
people. We know them to be the
Babylonians. The Babylonians will be the
nation that brings judgment upon the Assyrians.
These are the mighty soldiers spoken of in verse 3. These are the ones now called upon to mete
out God’s judgment.
In verses 4-7 we hear how the Assyrians respond. Their chariots race through the streets. Their soldiers run to the walls and ramparts,
although they stumble along the way. But
they are not effective. The Assyrians will fall. When the favor of God was with them, they
were strong and mighty. Now that the
favor of the Lord is with another and the wrath of God is upon the Assyrians
they are weak and unable to defend themselves.
Here we get another reminder of a powerful lesson. When we are strong, it is God’s strong arms
that are holding us up. Our power is
nothing when compared to God’s power.
Want to be mighty? Humble
yourself before the Lord and see what He shall do! The path to great strength begins not with
flexing your own muscles but rather in submitting to the omnipotent power of
God.
This is the lesson the Assyrians forgot. They tried to rely upon their own
strength. They found themselves in judgment
because of that error.
Result
The end of this chapter is profound. In verse 8 we hear that Assyria is like a reservoir. When the Assyrians fell, the whole of their
wealth and prosperity was open to be plundered by the Babylonians. The Assyrians had amassed and plundered much
of the wealth of the northern nations in the Middle East. In taking Nineveh, Babylon now had easy
access to that which was so nicely collected for them. Oh how easily wealth trades hands when it is
amassed into one place!
We also hear much about lions in Nahum, which is unique because
lions are not frequently talked about in Hebrew culture. However, in Assyria the lion was the national
animal. Assyria kings hunted lions for
sport. When Assyrian kings would defeat
a foreign power they would often make comparisons about themselves to lions
such as “like a mighty lion I raged.”
Assyrian national art often contained lions in a mighty pose – not unlike
the “lion rampant” imagery we also see in pre-industrial England. So what is God’s point with the speech about
the lions through Nahum? God is saying
that the ferocity of Assyria will be hunted down. Their den will be routed. Even their young lions will be brought down.
Again we see a reminder to be humble before God. What a great way to end.
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