As Nahum the prophet
continued to describe the devastation that was destined for the city
of Nineveh, he wrote, “Woe to the bloody city!” as he
depicted it “full of lies and robbery” where “the
prey” did not depart. In chapter three and verse two of his
prophesy, Nahum shared about the “noise of a whip and rattling
of wheels” where we read:
The noise of a whip,
and the noise of the rattling of the wheels,
and of the prancing
horses, and of the jumping chariots.
The
verse begins, “The noise of a whip, and the noise of the
rattling of the wheels,...” Nahum
began with the words, “The noise”
or “voice and sound” “of a whip”
which refers to “a scourge or lash for horses”, “and
the noise” or “voice and
sound” “of the rattling” which
means “quaking, shaking, trembling and quivering” “of
the wheels” which refers to
“the chariot wheels” of the enemy. Nahum could hear in advance
the “noises” that
the “whips” for
the horses and “rattling” chariot
wheels as the enemy entered the city of Nineveh with conquering
force.
The
verse goes on to say, “...and
of the prancing horses, and of the jumping chariots.” Nahum
added, “and of the prancing”
which means “rushing, dashing and galloping” “horses”
or “swallow and swift chariot
horses”, “and of the jumping”
which means “skipping and dancing” “chariots”
or “the war vehicles used by the enemy of Nineveh”. When the
enemy would come into the city of Nineveh, their “horses”
would “rush and gallop” in with an intensity that would cause the
“chariots” of war
to bounce and “jump”
as they entered.
When
we think through Nahum's words, we see the power used by the
Babylonians to conquer Nineveh. We can imagine the forceful sounds of
the “whips, the horses and the rattling wheels of
chariots” as they entered the
city. The intimidation of this alone would strike fear in all the
city's people. Should not this cause us to wonder what it would be
like for the “wrath of God” to be poured out upon us? When people
reject the saving grace of God Almighty through Jesus Christ His Son,
they align themselves in the direct path of the wrath of God. Why
would anyone ever risk hearing the sounds of the conquering means
coming against them? There is, however, a way to escape all of the
LORD's anger – accept Jesus Christ as Savior and LORD and peace
with God will be thy state.
Next
time Nahum shares about a “horseman”
with a “bright
sword and the glittering spear”,
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.
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