Exposition by Max A Forsythe
The
Reformer's Fire
Exposition by Max A Forsythe
The first few verses here are vivid descriptions of fighting in the suburbs of Nineveh. Detailed are the uniforms, weapons and tactics. So eager are the picked troops for the assault that they stumble over one another in their eagerness to draw near for battle with the Assyrian foe.
The nearest to this eagerness to battle that I can remember from my readings was that eagerness of the Army of Northern Virginia to fall upon their old nemesis the Federal Army of Potomac. Southern leaders more than once remarked during the invasion of Pennsylvania, that the southern lads were really worked up and so eager for battle that they rushed into Gettysburg and the surrounding hills with less than adequate preparation.
There the similarities end. Certainly the invaders of Nineveh are eager for battle, but as verse five informs us, defensive shield walls are carefully put in place. By this we may understand that in a careful attack, the ancient's used their shields not only on the front rank but the rear ranks even raised their shields over their heads to protect themselves from various missile weapons.
Now we know that the city of Nineveh was four-sided. The circumference was about seven and a half miles, enclosing the largest fortified space in Western Asia. The Hebrew in Jonah implies a three day journey around the "outer belts" of villages and fortresses. There were several series of works and moats covering all approaches to the great city.
Verses six to ten notes that the besieger of the world is at last besieged itself. Not only did the attacking army surround and establish field works around the great city, but God Himself had a part in the Assyrian destruction.
It is likely that a flooded river undermined the key walls near the royal palace. The Bible simply records that "the river gates are thrown open and the palace collapses." Archeologists have reported that the eastern moat has been found filled with rubbish in front of a great breach at the north end of its wall.
This breach may have been effected not only by battering rams but by directing upon the wall the waters of the canals and river.
In verse eight the draining pool may indicate water defenses or the draining of the "delta" of the canals, both water and commercial interests are shown to flow away never to return. However, interpret the details of destruction here we may be convinced of the utter and total collapse of everything Assyrian. The city is raped and plundered, and pulled down never to rise again. And the ultimate cause of all this mayhem? The purposeful plan of the Almighty Lord of Creation, who step by step has prepared for the Assyrian destruction.
In verse eleven, the prophet raises the question "Where now is the lion's den, the place where they fed their young, where the lion and lioness went, and the cubs, with nothing to fear." There is something strange going on here! The lion does not appear to be at home to defend his own den! Thus the defenses crumble so quickly for lack of defenders. The real cause here could well be a birth dirth caused in the destruction of the thousands of Assyrian soldiers outside Jerusalem.
This is what I mean. In the ancient tales of Camelot, the common report is that after Arthurus the Dux Bellorium (Duke of War) the Saxon threat melted away for a generation. If the poetic reports of Arthur's last battle are any indication, the 900 plus that fell by Arthur's own arm alone would also be multiplied by the handful of mounted knights who rode with him into legend at the Battle of Mount Baden. You see, so few Saxon warriors survived that the next generation was minimal in its numbers and it wasn't until a another generation was bred that the Saxons became dangerous again.
We see this in modern times. When I was stationed in Europe in the late sixties, we were somewhat worried about the mighty Russian military machine. However, our leaders knew the real truth of that perceived threat. There were almost 20,000,000 Russian military casualties during World War Two, and when it came to having young men of military age, the sixties were a very low point indeed for because of that lack of fathers. By contrast, in America we had a baby boom instead of a baby bust after the war. So peace was somewhat guaranteed by the providential working out of the Lord's will. In a like matter, Assyria was severely weakened when its main Army died by the hand of the Lord near Jerusalem. These men failed to go home and father children, and thus the whole of the Assyrian Empire fell by consequence. Where are the cubs who should have defended the city? They were not bred nor born.
This was done by the hand of the Lord Almighty! "I am against you," He declared, and the end of Assyria was assured. Do we see any similarities in what happened to the Soviet might at the end of the last decade? Yes, indeed - God is sovereign and He will accomplish His will. Yet, like Israel we must be warned that if the God of Heaven makes His enemies the special object of His wrath, what higher standard must He hold His own people to?
If the wicked are not allowed to get away with their sins, what hope have Christians to continue in the wrong attitude and inadequate performance concerning the spiritual demands of Christ's Covenantal death for us? Certainly, let us know that these things happened so that we may learn of His great displeasure against any and all sin. So let us therefore put on the whole armor of God and run the race set before us in order that we might show His greater glory and honor in all that we freely do in thankfulness for the countless graces received.
Resources Used:
Baker, David W. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries: Nahum, Habakkuk & Zephaniah.
Boice, James M. The Minor Prophets: An Expositional Commentary.
Places Taught:
Christ Covenant REFORMED (Presbyterian Church in America)
Box 13926 -- Columbus, OH 43213
Joel01a 23 June 98
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