Journal: Grace Theological Journal
Volume: GTJ 10:2 (Fall 1989)
Article: Plundering the Lion’s Den A Portrait of Divine Fury (Nahum 2:3-11)
Author: J. Daryl Charles

GTJ 10:2 (Fall 89) p. 183

Plundering the Lion’s Den
A Portrait of Divine Fury (Nahum 2:3-11)

J. Daryl Charles

Two books of the Bible end with a question. Both are found in the prophetic corpus of the OT and both are addressing Nineveh. One, however, depicts the reluctance of a prophet fleeing the presence of the Lord—the book of Jonah; the other, written a century later, reflects the burden of the prophet Nahum the Elkoshite, who decrees the vengeance and fury of the Lord. In the one book, Nineveh repents. In the other, Nineveh is ravaged. In light of the generally accepted view that Nahum’s prophecy dates between 650 and 612 B.C. (the fall of Nineveh), the northern kingdom of Israel had long since fallen. At approximately 700 B.C., Esarhaddon had secured his reign in Assyria. Civil war however began to weaken the northern power some fifty years later, precipitating a slow deterioration. After 634 B.C., one may speak of the Assyrian demise, during which time the Babylonian revolt, lasting roughly fourteen years, climaxes in the year 612. It is the league of Babylonians and Medes which ultimately destroys Nineveh. Nah 1:12 suggests that the city is not yet visibly crumbling (“Though they are yet whole and numerous…”).

Nineveh, that imperial seat of the Assyrian Empire and cultic seat of Is̆tar, patron-goddess of war, had been used as Yahweh’s vessel to judge Israel. The tables were now being turned. Nineveh herself was to become the besieged. In this vision-oracle of Nahum, the audience is given a prophetic and exceedingly descriptive account of the assault and sack of the Assyrian stronghold. Structurally, the sack of Nineveh as depicted in the vision-report consists of three components: the siege (2:1–5 ), vain resistance with capture and flight (2:6–10 ), and the prophet’s exultation over the destruction (2:11–13 ).

Both Jonah and Nahum are a commentary on the character of Yahweh. Interestingly, both draw as a reference point from Exod 34:6–7, an allusion to Yahweh’s compassion and slowness to anger. Jonah ultimately learns of Yahweh’s mercy. It is Nahum who stresses Yahweh’s justice.

GTJ 10:2 (Fall 89) p. 184

According to the command of As̆s̆ur and Is̆tar, I did march…
(from the As̆s̆urbanipal Annals)