Nahum 2:11 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Nahum 2:11

Comments

Nahum uses a metaphor to describe the former glory of Nineveh, but when it comes to her judgment in verse 13, she is addressed in plainer language. Like a pride of lions, fearing no one and doing as they please, and causing fear to fall on all around them, so, once, was Nineveh. The old lion, the dominant male, strides through the forest, and the lesser creatures scatter at his approach; not one can stand up to him. The influence of Assyria reached far into all the countries of the region, and they knew that if she turned her attention in their direction, they would be unable to resist. The old lion killed at will to provide for the females in his pride. He was oblivious to the suffering and terror he caused, and moved through the region unopposed by any and leaving mayhem in his path. His dens are filled with ravin, his violently seized prey. No one dare go near him. This was Assyria and Nineveh in her glory days.But her time of judgment has come (verse 13). It served God’s purposes that she should be in the ascendency for a time. While Assyria was exalted she did not acknowledge him, but she nevertheless did exactly what he planned for her to do. But now he will bring her down from her high position, and all the world will see it. The language becomes plainer: ‘I will burn her chariots in the smoke’, but it is obvious that it is the same one referred to previously under the figure of a lion: ‘and the sword shall devour thy young lions.’ God raises up individual nations for his own purposes, but he owes them nothing and removes them from their place once they have carried out his will. Assyria will be deprived of its prey, and will no longer be considered a threat to others. The sound of its name, which previously caused a shiver of terror wherever it was heard, will fall silent. Her messengers had been sent out across a vast region, and on their approach all knew that they must recognise the authority that sent them, but her influence will end, and no one will bother to respect her power any more.

Application

God’s triumph over his enemies needs to be emphasised, because they have so long prevailed, and they have exercised such cruelty, and their confidence and haughtiness has grown so great, and it has seemed so impossible that their tyranny should ever end. When he brings them down, it is a cause of unrestrained rejoicing. God’s justice is righteous and perfect, and nothing about it is exaggerated or vindictive. He does not punish any more than evil deserves, nor any less.

Great changes are brought about by God, changes which man could never imagine. The prophets emphasise the extent of the downfall of human pride, because it is lifted up so high, and is such an ugly thing and an aberration in his creation. As the Lord looks across the landscape of the earth, it is as if he sees something which rises up high above the rest and draws attention to itself, and which should not be there. It is human pride, and all human pride will be laid low. Let us ‘humble [ourselves] therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt [us] in due time’ (1 Peter 5:6).

Questions

Assyria had been raised up by God to be a scourge of the nations (Isaiah 10:5-7; 2 Kings 19:17-18) and of kingdom of Israel in the north (2 Kings 17:7-18), which fell in 722 BC and was taken into exile (2 Kings 17:23). Later Sennacherib had threatened Judah also, but God had answered the prayers of Hezekiah, and the Assyrian host was destroyed (2 Kings 19:35). Sennacherib had returned home in shame and had been murdered by his children (2 Kings 19:37). But after all this, and after Assyria had served God’s purpose, she too was to be cast down (2 Kings 17:7-18).

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Nahum 2:11 Commentary and Bible Study

The meaning of Nahum 2:11 explained