III. The Finality of Judgment (Nahum 3:1-19)
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III. The Finality of Judgment (3:1-19)
3:1-15 Nahum tallies up the violent wickedness of Nineveh. They were murderous and deceitful conquerors (3:1). Their disregard for human life was horrifying (3:3). Nineveh is even described as a prostitute engaged in sorcery (3:4). They trusted in false gods; therefore, here the Lord declares: I am against you (3:5). These are not words that you want to hear from God.
As Assyria had exhibited cruelty and brought shame upon the nations, God would shame it before the kingdoms of the world (3:5). Everyone who saw its devastation, in fact, would recoil in horror (3:7). As it had sent others into exile, it would become an exile itself (3:10). Its gates are described as being wide open to its enemies (3:13), and the sword would cut [it] down (3:15). Judgment may seem slow in coming. But it always comes. What goes around comes around.
3:16-19 Here the defeated King of Assyria is addressed by the prophet of the Lord: Your people are scattered across the mountains with no one to gather them together (3:18). Assyria’s end, then, was like the end of the nations she defeated. There would be no remedy for [its] injury (3:19) because no power can turn back the hand of God. Indeed, Assyria’s destruction came in 612 BC.
Of this you can be certain: A god-forsaken life of wickedness and injustice will lead to calamity and judgment. God always wins.