The Gates and the Palace Nahum 2:6

Nahum the prophet continued to describe the chariots, attire and armor of the Babylonian invaders who were to be used by the LORD to bring judgment upon the city of Nineveh. He declared how even “their worthies” or “royalty” would “stumble in their walk”, and even though they “make haste” to their protective walls, they would not be able to prevent God's destruction. In chapter two and verse six of his prophesy, Nahum shared concerning the “gates of the rivers” and “the palace” where we read:

The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved.

The verse begins, “The gates of the rivers shall be opened,...” Nahum began with the words, “The gates” or “place of entry, an opening, door or port” “of the rivers” which means “underground streams” “shall be opened” or “let loose, freed and thrown open”. In addition to their attack, the underground “rivers” within the city of Nineveh would be let loose and freed.

The verse continues, “...and the palace shall be dissolved.” Nahum added, “and the palace” or “temple, nave and sanctuary” “shall be dissolved” which means “melted, fainted, dissolved and dissipated”. In addition to the “rivers” being “opened”, the “temple” of worship and sanctuary of the city would be “dissipated” as well.

When we think through these words of Nahum, we can only imagine the devastation which the invading army of Babylon would cause. The source of water for the city of Nineveh was to be “freed”, and the worship center and seat of government was to be destroyed. There was no place exempt from God's awesome power. O' how we should relate this to our stand before God Almighty and His judgment upon mankind one day. Those who put their trust and faith in Jesus Christ will never know this sort of judgment, but woe be to those who reject His provision of Salvation. Their provision of life will be “thrown open”, and their places or positions of worship shall be “dissolved”.

Next time Nahum writes how “Huzzub shall be led away captive”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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