Waters, Strongholds, Mortar and Brickklin Nahum 3:14

In addition to all the troubles the city of Nineveh was to endure, Nahum the prophet told their residents of Nineveh their people, or “soldiers” were “women”, and “the gates of” their “land shall be set wide open unto” their “enemies”. He told them, “the fire shall devour” their “bars”. In chapter three and verse fourteen of his prophesy, Nahum shared concerning “waters, strongholds, mortar and brickklin” where we read:

Draw waters for the siege, fortify your strong holds: go into clay,

and tread the mortar, make strong the brickkiln.

The verse begins, “Draw waters for the siege, fortify your strong holds:.” Nahum began with the words, “Draw waters” or “bale up and lift water-springs and watercourses” “for the siege” which refers to “the enclosure or rampart”, “fortify” or “strengthen, prevail, harden, become strong, firm and resolute” “your strong holds” which means “fortifications, fortresses and defenses”. Nahum invited the people of Nineveh to get ready for battle by securing their “watercourses” and “making strong” their fortresses.

The verse continues, “... go into clay, and tread the mortar, make strong the brickkiln.” Nahum added, “go into clay” or “enter, lead, be carried and introduced to mire, mud and dirt”, “and tread” which means “trample, stamp, oppress and trod upon” “the mortar” or “cement, clay, mire and swelling”, “make strong” which means “strengthen, prevail, harden, firm and resolute” “the brickklin” which refers to “brick molds quadrangles”. Nahum continued to describe how they could reinforce themselves against their enemy by using “mud, dirt, cement and brick molds” to fortify their city, and yet, this too would be to no avail.

When we consider these words of Nahum, we see the people of Nineveh encouraged to fortify themselves in every way possible. They could use their “waterways”, make bricks with mortar and cement and reinforce their fortresses, but these defenses would have no effect upon the judgment of the LORD. This is also true for those who reject the offering of Jesus Christ as their Savior. No defensive mechanisms will be effective, and all attempts to thwart God's judgment will be in vain. The only escape from the judgment of God is to humble ourselves, repent of our sins and turn to Him now. May all who read be “not only hearers of the word, but doers” as well.

Next time Nahum shares about “the fire, sword, cankerworm and locusts”, 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.