Nah 2:1-4 | KingComments | STEP | In this chapter we see that the LORD is sending a great army to Nineveh to avenge the reproach inflicted upon Judah and restore his glory ( ). The city is conquered, its inhabitants flee or are captured and its treasures robbed ( ). The great city with all its glory perishes without leaving a trace ( ). Nineveh is informed that the “one who scatters”, that is, the Medes with the Babylonians, has come up. The enemy is not called “attacker” here, but “one who scatters”. The Assyrians were experts in uprooting and scattering conquered peoples, so that there was no longer cohesion in those peoples. As a result, it was not possible for conquered peoples to regroup and resist. They themselves will now be scattered and experience what they have done to others (cf. ; ). The city is ironically encouraged to strengthen itself to resist the approaching army. The words of Nahum are ironic because God has decided to destroy the city. Therefore, any defense will prove to be futile. Strengthening the back means making oneself strong, behave as a man.

‏ Nahum 2:1-4

Introduction

In this chapter we see that the LORD is sending a great army to Nineveh to avenge the reproach inflicted upon Judah and restore his glory (Nah 2:1-4). The city is conquered, its inhabitants flee or are captured and its treasures robbed (Nah 2:5-10). The great city with all its glory perishes without leaving a trace (Nah 2:11-13).

The Enemy Comes

Nineveh is informed that the “one who scatters”, that is, the Medes with the Babylonians, has come up. The enemy is not called “attacker” here, but “one who scatters”. The Assyrians were experts in uprooting and scattering conquered peoples, so that there was no longer cohesion in those peoples. As a result, it was not possible for conquered peoples to regroup and resist. They themselves will now be scattered and experience what they have done to others (cf. Psa 68:1; Isa 24:1).

The city is ironically encouraged to strengthen itself to resist the approaching army. The words of Nahum are ironic because God has decided to destroy the city. Therefore, any defense will prove to be futile. Strengthening the back means making oneself strong, behave as a man.

Restoration of Israel

Just as the destruction of Nineveh is determined, so is the restoration of Jacob, that is Israel, the twelve tribes. Jacob and Israel are the same person, but with a different accent. “Glory” indicates exaltation or elevation. It foresees the time when Israel will reign over the nations in strength and blessing. Then Jacob, i.e. the people, will regain his own glory that was lost through his own fault.

The name Jacob – meaning ‘heels holder’ – reminds us of weakness and unfaithfulness. Jacob is the name for the people in their deviation from the LORD, through which they have lost all the glory they once possessed. They regain that glory when they are restored in their relationship with the LORD. The glory that returns is the glory of Israel. Israel – meaning ‘prince of God’ – is the name of the people in their privileges that they have received from God as His people.

“The devastators” are the Assyrians who have devastated Judah. They have also “destroyed their vine branches”. “Vine branches” is a reference to Israel as the vineyard, the vine (Psa 80:8-16), where we can see in the vine the families and in the branches the members. Vine branches are a picture of the joy that the LORD seeks for Himself with His people. In the time of Israel’s unfaithfulness, that joy was not there (Isa 5:1-7). Here the Assyrians are blamed for it, which is one more reason to judge them.

The Hostile Army

Here the army of the Medes and the Babylonians is described which is announced in Nah 2:1. By “his mighty men” are meant the heroes of the army of the Medes and the Babylonians. It is also possible to see them as the mighty men of the LORD, because He deploys that army against Nineveh (cf. Isa 5:26-30 ; Isa 10:5-6 ; Isa 13:3).

The red color dominates in that army (cf. Eze 23:14), possibly because of the use of red paint or because the weapons are covered with bronze. It is the color of aggression (green is a soothing color). The military outfit is also red, due to the use of crimson. The brandishing of the spears is a use to impress the enemy, to show how skilled they are in their use.

At breakneck speed the enemy overtakes Nineveh. In the glow of the sun, the steel chariots resemble burning torches. Because of their great speed they are reminiscent of lightning flashes. The battle takes place in the streets and in the squares. The Ninevites can’t get a grip on it. They are consumed by it as if by the fire of torches. Everything happens at the speed of lightning.