He that dasheth in pieces, the Babylonian invader, IS COME UP BEFORE THY FACE, appearing before the walls of Nineveh. KEEP THE MUNITION, rather, "Guard the fortress!" in an effort to withstand the foe; WATCH THE WAY, having spies out on all the roads leading to the city; MAKE THY LOINS STRONG, as a... [ Continue Reading ]
NAHUM CHAPTER 2 (Chapter 1:15-2:13.). The Conquest, Plundering, and Destruction of Nineveh. The conquerors of Nineveh would be Jehovah's instruments, who would effect the destruction of the city with all its vaunted glory.... [ Continue Reading ]
For the Lord hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, Jehovah being on the side of the invading army, and He intends to restore the glory of His people, AS THE EXCELLENCY OF ISRAEL, when the covenant nation was at the height of its glory; FOR THE EMPTIERS HAVE EMPTIED THEM OUT, or, "plunderers have... [ Continue Reading ]
The shield of His mighty men, of the heroes commissioned by the Lord to execute His punishment, IS MADE RED, all shining for the battle, THE VALIANT MEN ARE IN SCARLET, their war-clothes being made of this color; THE CHARIOTS SHALL BE WITH FLAMING TORCHES IN THE DAY OF HIS PREPARATION, blazing with... [ Continue Reading ]
The chariots shall rage in the streets, as they are driven furiously in the attack, THEY SHALL JOSTLE ONE AGAINST ANOTHER IN THE BROAD WAYS, running to and fro in the market-places or squares of Nineveh, all confused by the attack of the enemy; THEY SHALL SEEM LIKE TORCHES, as the light struck the s... [ Continue Reading ]
He shall recount his worthies, the Assyrian king remembering, and counting on, his heroes; THEY SHALL STUMBLE IN THEIR WALK, all confused and uncertain in their effort to reach the point where the attack is launched against the city; THEY SHALL MAKE HASTE TO THE WALL THEREOF, AND THE DEFENSE SHALL B... [ Continue Reading ]
The gates of the rivers shall be opened, the reference being to some natural or artificial inundation of the city which helped in its destruction, AND THE PALACE SHALL BE DISSOLVED, its inmates being overcome with terror and losing all semblance of careful thinking and planning.... [ Continue Reading ]
And Huzzab shall be led away captive, literally, "It is determined," by God; "she is made bare," namely, Nineveh, "like a ravished woman, and carried away. " SHE SHALL BE BROUGHT UP, AND HER MAIDS SHALL LEAD HER, the inhabitants of the city being so regarded, AS WITH THE VOICE OF DOVES, with mournfu... [ Continue Reading ]
But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water, a term expressing her great population and prosperity; YET THEY SHALL FLEE AWAY, her great population leaving her to her fate. STAND, STAND! SHALL THEY CRY, in an attempt to stop the heedless rush; BUT NONE SHALL LOOK BACK, refusing to return to the ravish... [ Continue Reading ]
Take ye the spoil of silver, so the victors are admonished, TAKE THE SPOIL OF GOLD! FOR THERE IS NONE END OF THE STORE AND GLORY OUT OF ALL THE PLEASANT FURNITURE, of the various rich treasures with which the palaces of the city were filled.... [ Continue Reading ]
She is empty and void and waste, literally, "emptiness and being emptied out and desolation!". AND THE HEART MELTETH, in utter discouragement, AND THE KNEES SMITE TOGETHER, in the terror which cannot control itself, AND MUCH PAIN IS IN ALL LOINS, Isaiah 21:3, AND THE FACES OF THEM ALL GATHER BLACKNE... [ Continue Reading ]
Where is the dwelling of the lions and the feeding-place of the young lions, for the Assyrians liked to compare themselves with the king of beasts, WHERE THE LION, EVEN THE OLD LION, WALKED AND THE LION'S WHELP, AND NONE MADE THEM AFRAID? none of the nations, in the early days, daring to disturb the... [ Continue Reading ]
The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, as much as his young ones desired, AND STRANGLED FOR HIS LIONESSES AND FILLED HIS HOLES, the dens occupied by him, WITH PREY AND HIS DENS WITH RAVIN, his lurking-places with spoil. Even so the kings of Assyria heaped up treasures taken from every pa... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold, I am against thee, saith the Lord of hosts, the ruler of the heavenly armies, AND I WILL BURN HER CHARIOTS IN THE SMOKE, so that all her war material goes up in smoke, AND THE SWORD SHALL DEVOUR THY YOUNG LIONS, the mighty men of the city; and I WILL CUT OFF THY PREY FROM THE EARTH, AND THE... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, of the messenger of joy hastening forward to bring the good news, THAT PUBLISHETH PEACE, announcing to Judah the overthrow of the enemies. O JUDAH, KEEP THY SOLEMN FEASTS, resuming their celebration especially at this time, when t... [ Continue Reading ]