Sunday, January 5, 2014

Bible Scripture Reading

"Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for 4 January 2014, from Cindi, a daughter of the King of kings and Lord of lord."

Today's Blogs Title: "The Destruction of Nineveh"
Today's Blogs Scripture Reading: Nahum 2:1-13
Today's Blogs Key Verse: Nahum 2:13 "Behold, I am against you," says the LORD of hosts, " I will burn your chariots in smoke, and the sword shall devour your young lions; I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers shall be heard no more."

"Man the fort" in verse 1, were sarcastic words to the people of Nineveh and its leaders, as if they would be able to protect themselves against the wrath of God.  Nineveh's armory of over 40 acres, contained all the weapons that had made the Assyrian Empire great: bows, arrows, spears, armor, and chariots.  Yet the Prophet Nahum's call to arms is mocking, for what ever the Assyrians may do will futile, for God has determined that the city WILL fall.

"The LORD will restore" in verse 2, means that the WRATH of God against the enemies of His people will one day be DESTROYED, and the people of God will be restored.  "Excellence," in the same verse means "majesty," "beauty," or "wonder."  Both Israel and Judah needed to be restored because both kingdoms were devastated by the massive Assyrian army. 

The passages of verses 3-13, describe the siege of Nineveh.  The fall of Nineveh that was predicted by Nahum took place only a few years after this prophecy in 612 B.C. and was followed by the final destruction of the Assyrian Empire in 609 B.C. 

The words, "red, scarlet, flaming torches," in verse 3 speak of blood, violence and warfare.  The "chariots rage" refers to the fact that the Assyrians used chariots as formidable war machines.  The proficiency of the chariot drivers underlies the imagery of this verse.  BUT as in the case of the shields and spears in verse 3, the chariots of Nineveh would not prevail no matter how fast they drove, for the people of the city would be so stunned to be under attack that they would appear helpless in their actions.

"Gates of the rivers are opened" is how it is believed the destruction of the city of Nineveh happened.  It is believed that the attackers entered the city of Nineveh through its flooded waterways.  The attack came at flood time when rivers undermined the walls and defenses of the city.    

"Take spoil of silver! Take spoil of gold!" in verse 9, is a reference that Assyria had despoiled many nations, including Samaria and the cites of Israel.  There seemed to be no end to the loot that could be found within its walls.  Nevertheless, even Nineveh, was exhausted of its treasures and at long last it was "empty."

Nineveh was the "city of lions" verse 13, yet despite all the horrors that the "lion of Nineveh" had brought to other nations, it would no longer feared by ANYONE.  Although the Babylonians had conquered the city, they were used by God to do it, for Nineveh's GREATEST FOE was the "LORD of host" himself.

Click on this link at www.cindi-davis.blogspot.com for a Bible Verse Writing from Psalm 17:5-8.

Have a God Filled and Spirit Led Day.  Go in Peace and Serve the Lord or God with Gladness.  Love God More Today.  ALWAYS remember that when you have a spiritual, emotional, relational, physical, or financial dilemma in your life and you yell out, "I CAN'T," Listen to the Sweet, Soft, and Tender Voice of God as He WHISPERS to you, "BUT I CAN."

Jesus Reigns, and He Is, Has Been, and ALWAYS Will Be In Complete and Total Control!!! May God's Peace, Strength, and Grace be with you all.  May you with one hand reach out to heaven and with he other reach out to the lost and dying of this world, and as John say, "Come Lord Jesus, Come."

Your Sister in Christ,
Cindi

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