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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.
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.
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.
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.
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’s Vengeance and Judah’s Victory 🛡️
“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.” – Nahum 2:1
Nahum Chapter 2 delivers a vivid prophetic vision of the destruction of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, known for its brutal conquests and prideful strength. This chapter marks a turning point, where God brings judgment upon a nation that once held dominion over His people. Through Nahum, the LORD assures Judah that her affliction will cease, and justice will be served.
Though the imagery is violent and intense, the message is clear: God is sovereign, and He will not allow wickedness to go unchecked. This chapter stands as both a warning to the arrogant and a comfort to the oppressed—reminding us that the LORD is a stronghold in the day of trouble (cf. Nahum 1:7).
📜 Structure of Nahum Chapter 2
Verses 1–2: The Call to Defense and the Restoration of Judah
Nahum begins with a poetic taunt to Nineveh’s defenders, urging them to prepare for battle. Yet, the outcome has already been declared—destruction is inevitable. Meanwhile, Judah is promised restoration:
“For the LORD hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out.”
God’s people, though once plundered, are now being lifted up as Nineveh falls.
Verses 3–5: The Siege Described
The invading army’s shields are painted red, their warriors fierce and chariots ablaze. The chaos of war fills the streets of Nineveh, signaling her fall. The mighty city is crumbling under divine judgment, unable to resist God’s appointed destruction.
This echoes God’s warning that “pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall”(Proverbs 16:18).
Verses 6–10: Nineveh Overwhelmed
The river gates are opened—perhaps by flood or enemy hands—and the palace collapses. The city melts away in fear and fire, and its treasures are plundered.
“Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold… for there is none end of the store.”
Her wealth could not save her; everything she trusted in is now gone.
Verses 11–13: The Lion’s Den Emptied
Nahum paints Nineveh as a lion’s den—a place of once-great strength and cruelty.
“Where is the dwelling of the lions… whom none made afraid?”
The chapter ends with God’s voice declaring war:
“Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts.”
The prideful lion is humbled. The oppressor meets the Righteous Judge.
💡 Key Themes
✨ Divine Judgment Is Inevitable
God does not forget the cries of the oppressed. Nineveh’s fall is a reminder that no empire, no matter how strong, can stand against the justice of the Almighty.
✨ God Defends His People
Though Judah had been afflicted, the Lord now restores her. His people are not forgotten, and in due time, He acts on their behalf (Psalm 9:9–10).
✨ The Emptiness of Earthly Power
Nineveh’s fall shows how wealth, walls, and warriors cannot save when God’s judgment comes. The city that once seemed invincible is now but dust.
👤 Key People
- Nineveh – Capital of Assyria; symbol of cruelty, pride, and worldly power.
- The LORD of Hosts – The One who fights on behalf of His people and executes justice.
- The Lion – A symbol of Assyria’s former dominance and brutality, now humbled.
🔥 Why This Chapter Matters
Nahum Chapter 2 reveals the righteous judgment of God against evil and the assurance that no wickedness will stand forever. It is a vivid reminder that while God is long-suffering, His justice is never idle. This chapter assures the faithful that God sees, God knows, and God acts. The destruction of Nineveh is not just a historical moment—it’s a spiritual truth. The Lord defends His people, and He dismantles the strongholds of pride, cruelty, and rebellion.
Just as Nahum prophesied the fall of a seemingly invincible empire, we are reminded today that no power—no matter how mighty—can withstand the Word and will of God. “The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked” (Nahum 1:3). Chapter 2 is proof that vengeance belongs to the Lord (Romans 12:19), and His justice rolls on like a mighty river. For every soul oppressed, for every righteous heart waiting on deliverance—this chapter is a declaration: God is not silent. He is our defender and our avenger.
💭 Let’s Reflect
- What powers or systems today resemble Nineveh—proud, oppressive, and seemingly invincible?
- Do we find comfort in God’s justice, even when it’s delayed?
- How do we respond when God says, “I am against thee” to the enemies of His people?
❓Ready to Go Deeper?
👉 Click here to begin reading Nahum Chapter 3
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