“No” Carried Away and Into Captivity Nahum 3:10

As Nahum the prophet wrote concerning the destruction of the city of Nineveh, he included “Ethiopia, Egypt, Put and Lubim” as “helpers” to them. These countries were destroyed by the invading army that was to come upon Nineveh, and though they depended upon their surrounding waters and rivers for defensive strength, they were no match for the onslaught of the enemy. In chapter three and verse ten of his prophesy, Nahum declared how “No” or “Thebes”, the capital city of Egypt, was “carried away” and “into captivity” where we read:

Yet was she carried away, she went into captivity: her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets: and they cast lots for her honorable men, and all her great men were bound in chains.

The verse begins, “Yet was she carried away, she went into captivity: her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets:” Nahum began with the words, “Yet was she” which refers to the city of “No” “carried away” or “exiled and removed”, “she went into captivity” which means “walked, proceeded and departed a state of capture or became as prisoners”: “her young children” which means “the little babes, girls and boys” “also were dashed in pieces” which means “broken into small particles or portions” “at the top” or “at the beginning, summit, chief and upper part” “of all the streets” which means “outside roadways and highways”. Not only were the residents of “No” defeated, but they and their children were taken captive and “dashed” into small pieces.

The verse goes on to say, “and they cast lots for her honorable men, and all her great men were bound in chains.” Nahum continued, “and they cast lots” or “threw pebbles used for systematically making decisions” “for her honorable men” which refers to “heavy, weighty glorified men”, “and all her great men” which means “large, loud and haughty men” “were bound” or “fastened” “in chains” which means “fetters, firebrands, sparks and burning arrows”. Even the men of “No” which were ”renown” and “honorable” were taken away by the enemy, gambled upon and “fastened” with “fetters” as they were forced from their city.

When we meditate upon these words of Nahum, we understand the lack of discretion that was afforded the citizens of the city of “No”. Young, old, honorable and dishonorable were all subject to the devastation at hand. No one was exempt. When the judgment of God fell upon rebellious nations, those He exalted to exact the penalty had no mercy. Oh that we might understand this was not the LORD's intention and desire. He longed to spare those whom He created, and when people receive Jesus Christ as their Savior, they will be exempt from His pending judgment. Let us take heed to the example of the people of “No” and Nineveh, and may we seek refuge in Jesus who provides protection that shall never fail.

Next time Nahum shares how Nineveh will be “drunken, hid and seeking strength”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.