Ethiopia, Egypt, Put and Lubim Nahum 3:9

Nahum the prophet foretold the demise of the city of Nineveh. In addition to the ships, rattling wheels, prancing horses and jumping chariots, the people of Nineveh would encounter horsemen with “bright and glittering swords and spears” which would cause so much carnage, they would trip over the “corpses” which were killed. Nineveh's people were filled with “whoredoms and witch-crafts” which seduced the nations around them, and because of this, the LORD would show their “nakedness” and “shame”. In chapter three and verse nine of his prophesy, Nahum addresses the conquering of “No”, the capital of Egypt, as he included “Ethiopia, Egypt, Put and Lubim” as examples of those who had confidence in themselves and were now destroyed. We read:

Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was infinite; Put and Lubim were your helpers.

The verse begins, “Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was infinite;” Nahum began with the word, “Ethiopia” which means “Cush or black” and was “the land occupied by the descendants of Cush located around the southern parts of the Nile ” “and Egypt” which means “land of the Copts” and was “a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows ” “were her strength” which refers to “power and might”, “and it was infinite” or “to the nothing or end, the extremity, border and outskirts”. Not only was the city of “No” destroyed by the Babylonians, but also the mighty countries of “Ethiopia” and “Egypt” as well.

The verse goes on to say, “Put and Lubim were your helpers.” Nahum added, “Put” which means “a boy” and was “a nation and people of northern Africa, probably Libyans ” “and Lubim” which means “empty hearted and afflicted” and was “a people of northern Africa west of Egypt ” “were your helpers” or “succors and assistants”. Even the surrounding countries of “Put” and “Lubim” were subject to the invading armies.

When we consider these words of Nahum, we understand how “No” relied upon their surrounding countries for their defense, but these “strengths” were to no avail. When the LORD comes against a person or place, no one and no where can defend against Him. A relationship with Jesus Christ His Son is the only “defense” against the “wrath” of God, and those who are wise will not depend upon any other “strength” or “might”. May those who consider these things yield to Jesus and His saving grace.

Next time Nahum shares how the city of “No” was carried away and went into captivity”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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