Year 9, Day 249: Nahum 2

Theological Commentary: Click Here

Nahum 2 gives a unique perspective in the Old Testament prophets.  We have many accounts of the Assyrian conquest and occupation of Israel.  Nahum, though, is an accounting of the defeat of Nineveh.  This is a book about God’s vengeance upon the vengeful.

Assyria was conquered by the Babylonians, who had allied with the Medes and several other smaller factions.  A joint army marched against Nineveh.  Ancient accounts claim that the city, built around the Tigris river, was defeated when the damns along the city were breached.  This allowed an access point into the city and led to the destruction of Nineveh.

I do love Nahum’s description of the battle.  The river gates are thrown open.  Nineveh is like a pool that is draining.  It tells us how important the conquest of the Tigris was to the downfall of the city.  The Assyrians thought their walls were strong enough and their soldiers were trained enough.  God still found a way to bring them down.  Before the Assyrians could know what was happening, the Babylonians-Mede soldiers were taking the fight house by house and block by block.

So often we think we are in the prime of life.  We think we are secure.  Our trust is in the walls we build and the plans we make.  The stronger we think we are, the more blind we become to our weaknesses.  God can find a way in.

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