For the LORD, Consider it Done!

Scripture Text: Nahum 2:1-10

For the LORD is restoring the majesty of Jacob as the majesty of Israel,

for plunderers have plundered them and ruined their branches.

Desolate! Desolation and ruin! Hearts melt and knees tremble; anguish is

in all loins; all faces grow pale!

Nahum 2:2, 10 (ESV)

After finishing dead last among the 32 teams in the 1998 World Cup, no

one expected much from the U.S. men’s national soccer team in 2002. Their

first opponent, Portugal, was widely considered a dark horse favorite to win

the tournament. So when the Americans scored three goals in the first half

against the overconfident Portuguese and went on to win the game 3–2, the

sports world was stunned! The U.S. team made it to the quarter-finals that year

in their best modern World Cup showing ever.

The phrase “how the mighty have fallen” describes the Portuguese defeat

in that memorable soccer match, as well as the conquest of Nineveh in

today’s reading. Though God’s righteous judgment of Nineveh was clear in

chapter 1, Nahum wasn’t ready to leave the topic just yet. Chapter 2 gives us

a vivid narrative of the city’s downfall. We might imagine that the messenger

of Nahum 1:15 has arrived and is delivering this news or telling this story to a

highly appreciative audience.

First, there is an announcement, a mocking warning to Nineveh to brace

for an attack (v. 1). The narrative then mentions the big picture of national

Jewish restoration (v. 2) before picturing the arrival of an impressive enemy

army at the gates of Nineveh (v. 3). The battle is soon over in the city’s outer

section, as the invaders’ chariots roam freely through the streets (v. 4).

Behind the inner walls, things aren’t going well either. Elite Assyrian troops

stumble on the way to their defensive positions (v. 5).

Nineveh’s final defeat is pictured in terms of water, as if the city was being

swept away by a flood (v. 6). The palace collapses, the battle is lost, the city is

plundered, and the people are exiled (vv. 7, 9–10). In fact, many historians

believe the Babylonians used the Assyrians’ own dams against them to

damage their fortifications. By opening floodgates on the Khoser River, they

may have won a swift victory. In a powerful final image that is then true both

literally and figuratively, Nineveh spirals down the drain (v. 8).

Reflect

What good promise of God do you need to believe today?

Remember

Biblical prophets often spoke of the future they were predicting as if it had

already happened. They knew they were speaking the absolutely true and

unbreakable word of the Lord. Speaking of prophecies as accomplished

involved no risk whatsoever.

Dear readers, that’s how sure God’s promises are! As Joshua told the

Israelites: “Not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you

has failed”.

We must never fail to see that in Christ Jesus all the promises of God are

YES to us! And apart from Him, then an expectation of God’s judgment and

this is for real and for eternity.

Read

Joshua 23:14; Numbers 23:19; 2 Corinthians 1:19-20; Hebrews 6:17-

18

Pray

Dear LORD, I see that what You declare it will not come back to You in

vain. I know that there is certainty in Your words, for it will accomplish its

purpose. You continue to show and teach me the reliability of Your words.

Help me not forget this truth, and make this as an assurance that You who

promise to me is faithful. I know that through Your Son, Jesus Christ, I am

secured. This I pray in His name, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.