Page 45 - Racing Toward Judgement
P. 45
6. The Nineveh Warning
This province lived without fear, strong and power-
ful, for over five hundred years. It was dreaded by na-
tions everywhere for its power and fortifications. It was
the queen city of the Assyrian Empire. It had once re-
pented at the preaching of Jonah, but a new generation
arose that became violent and wicked. So once again,
God sent a prophet to warn of impending judgment.
Jonah's was a message of mercy, Nahum's was a mes-
sage of judgment.
Nineveh was secure, quiet, and well fortified against
attack. It was a city of multitudes, a city of great re-
nown. Because the city had once been spared God's
wrath, the inhabitants thought of God as "slow to an-
ger"! They satisfied their minds that God's slowness to
act was insurance against judgment.
Nineveh, during the time of the prophet Nahum, be-
gan to disintegrate morally. Effeminacy and lust became
rampant and weakened the will of the people. Patriotism
vanished as men became lovers of themselves. They
turned a deaf ear to leaders and priests. No one was
willing to stand up for moral right. People began to hoard
silver and gold and run about purchasing expensive items.
The city became totally demoralized in spirit, and a
once proud and powerful empire edged to the brink of
collapse. It had been known as "the Place of the Lion,"
and now it staggered like a wounded mongrel.
It is an irrefutable fact of history that God judged
Nineveh, iust as Nahum prophesied He would- Its mili-
tary might was destroyed, its chariots burned in fire. All
its resources were drained and given to others. Its for-
eign ambassadors were grounded and the empire lost all
its world influence. The empire came tumbling down in
judgment, and every inhabitant was silenced.
The Lord of Hosts was very angry with your fa-
thers. But he will turn again and favor you if only
43
This province lived without fear, strong and power-
ful, for over five hundred years. It was dreaded by na-
tions everywhere for its power and fortifications. It was
the queen city of the Assyrian Empire. It had once re-
pented at the preaching of Jonah, but a new generation
arose that became violent and wicked. So once again,
God sent a prophet to warn of impending judgment.
Jonah's was a message of mercy, Nahum's was a mes-
sage of judgment.
Nineveh was secure, quiet, and well fortified against
attack. It was a city of multitudes, a city of great re-
nown. Because the city had once been spared God's
wrath, the inhabitants thought of God as "slow to an-
ger"! They satisfied their minds that God's slowness to
act was insurance against judgment.
Nineveh, during the time of the prophet Nahum, be-
gan to disintegrate morally. Effeminacy and lust became
rampant and weakened the will of the people. Patriotism
vanished as men became lovers of themselves. They
turned a deaf ear to leaders and priests. No one was
willing to stand up for moral right. People began to hoard
silver and gold and run about purchasing expensive items.
The city became totally demoralized in spirit, and a
once proud and powerful empire edged to the brink of
collapse. It had been known as "the Place of the Lion,"
and now it staggered like a wounded mongrel.
It is an irrefutable fact of history that God judged
Nineveh, iust as Nahum prophesied He would- Its mili-
tary might was destroyed, its chariots burned in fire. All
its resources were drained and given to others. Its for-
eign ambassadors were grounded and the empire lost all
its world influence. The empire came tumbling down in
judgment, and every inhabitant was silenced.
The Lord of Hosts was very angry with your fa-
thers. But he will turn again and favor you if only
43
