Nahum 2:3–4

Nahum 2 and Nahum 3 set out the main subject of Nahum's prophecy clearly and fully. The first chapter is a preface to it... So we also see the subject that goes with it: the judgment of Israel by their enemies. But the Assyrians carried out that judgment in a way that insulted God Himself. They did not only chasten His guilty people. So they must be prepared for their own doom.

At the start of this chapter the prophet speaks to Nineveh. He urges her to make ready to defend herself, for the one who dashes in pieces has appeared before her walls... Then he describes the army laying siege. We read of their glittering weapons and their fast racing chariots, which dash along like lightning.

This is a striking picture of the last scenes. Recent discoveries have shown us in fine detail how much scarlet and how many chariots Nineveh had, and all the preparation for war that marked her. And there is more. The way Nineveh was to fall is foreshown here most vividly and exactly.

Here follows a most lively description of how the Ninevites prepared to defend themselves against their enemies. Historically the foes who destroyed Nineveh were the Medes, as is well known. Human history gives little information about the circumstances, but it seems certain that Babylon helped.

The verses that follow, and Nahum 2:3-4 as well, show that Nineveh was a warlike nation. It was always seeking to enrich itself by the spoil of other nations, among them Israel and Judah.

Scarlet is the bright and flashing colour, which typifies the glory of the world (Dan. 5:7; Nahum 2:3; Rev. 17:3-4; 18:12, 16).

In NAHUM, God's indignation rises against the pride of human power and dominion. Nineveh — the Assyrian — is destroyed. That people will never be restored, and Judah is delivered at last.

We have heard even reputable Bible teachers claim that Nahum predicted the automobiles racing along our streets. Such fanciful, far-fetched and arbitrary applications of the Word of God do immense harm. Nahum does not anticipate the automobile, but gives a picture of the besiegers of Nineveh with their chariots, drawn by swift horses.

Nahum ("Comfort") is a forceful prophecy of the judgment of Nineveh. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, so it stands for that empire — the King of the North in a coming day. Egypt pictures for us the world in its smug independence of God. Assyria shows the world's savage opposition to Him... Notice that the determined greed of this enemy is fully matched by the unbending firmness of God's judgment.

Next the prophet describes the besieging army. Here we read of their glittering weapons. Their fast chariots dash along like lightning.

The following verses, as also Nahum 2:3-4, show that it was a warlike nation, always seeking to enrich itself with the spoil of other nations, among them Israel and Judah.

We have heard even respected Bible teachers say that Nahum predicted the cars racing along our streets. Such fanciful, far-fetched and random uses of the Word of God do great harm. Nahum is not looking ahead to the car. He is giving a picture of the besiegers of Nineveh with their chariots, drawn by swift horses.

This is certainly a striking picture of the last scenes. We have, in fine detail, what recent discoveries have shown about the abundance of scarlet and of chariots, and all the preparation for war that was characteristic of Nineveh. And more than that, the prophecy foreshows the manner in which Nineveh was to fall most vividly and exactly.

When Nahum spoke these words, Nineveh was at the height of her glory. Who told Nahum the Elkoshite that the proud world city would undergo such a sack and be completely wiped out? Who moved his pen to give such a vivid description of what would take place? There is but one answer — the Spirit of God.

In verse 5 we see the Assyrian king turn to his army. He watches the chariots dash along the highways and broad ways that lead to the city. He counts his worthies, his generals and captains. And the army, called out suddenly, hurried and stumbled along in disorder as it made haste to reach the walls. As stated above, verse 6 came true when the river became a flood and undermined the foundations of the walls. Then the besiegers could enter in.

The special means of Babylon's destruction was drying up the river bed by turning the river away. But the crisis that led straight to the destruction of Nineveh was the river bursting in, not the turning of it out.

Egypt is the world in its natural condition, out of which the people have come. Babylon is corruption in the activity of power, which enslaves the people. Nineveh is the proud glory of the world, which recognises nothing but its own importance. It is the world as the open enemy of God's people, simply through its pride. She shall be judged like all the rest, and disappear for ever under the judgment of the Almighty.

No doubt this had a historical fulfilment in the fall of Nineveh. But its complete accomplishment will take place when the Assyrian returns. I do not mean this city itself, which has been destroyed, but the power that will hold the territory and inherit the pride of the land of Nimrod.