CHAPTER 2

1 He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face: keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily. 2 For the LORD hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches.

Through prohetic announcement, God is sending warning to Nineveh (see vs 8). Nineveh was the capitol city of the Assyrians who had brought destruction to Israel in 722 BC. God had used their evil intent to bring the fullness of His prophetic destruction to Israel because of their sinfulness. But the Assyrians were guilty of their evil intent, and God would punish them with Nebuchadnezzar.

It is clear that God orchestrated the downfall of Israel, for He says, "..the LORD hat turned away the excellency of Jacob...." Though God, at times, will use people of evil intent to bring chastisement upon His people, God will also bring punishment to those guilty of evil intent.

3 The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken. 4 The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings. 5 He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared. 6 The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved.

The Ninevites are put on "warning" in verse 1. But here they are assured that destruction WILL come!

Though they gather in defense, and make their defenses strong - God will PREVAIL! Though all humanity join arm in arm against God, He will PREVAIL!

7 And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts.

There is much discussion about this word "Huzzab." As far as we know, there was no king or queen by that name. Perhaps it is a Hebrew noun meaning "foundation uncovered." This would be consistent with the flow of Scripture. The foundation of sin shall indeed be uncovered by our LORD! And, in that day, there will be many who will mourn because they have allowed themselves to be LED by sin!

8 But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back. 9 Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold: for there is none end of the store and glory out of all the pleasant furniture. 10 She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain is in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness. 11 Where is the dwelling of the lions, and the feedingplace of the young lions, where the lion, even the old lion, walked, and the lion's whelp, and none made them afraid? 12 The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with ravin.

Nineveh was indeed a strong city. But the time was coming when the city and nation would be ravaged and destroyed. "Spoil" would be taken, and she would be left "void, and waste."

And the reason is:

13 Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard.

God is a lover of sinners, and wants to see them redeemed. But God is against sin, and will bring destruction upon them who are led by it. Those who are led by sin shall be "laid waste" for eternity!

Let us be sure to follow our LORD and not sin!

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.