The fleeing soldiers (v 8-9)

In today’s passage, the fall of Nineveh is described. It says, “Nineveh is like a pool whose water is draining away. ‘Stop! Stop!’ they cry, but no one turns back” (v 8, NIV). (1) “A pool,” refers to a state like a calm pool. This indicates that Nineveh was a stable capital with abundant population and wealth. But a great calamity comes upon that Nineveh. (2) “Water is draining away,” describes the scene of the brave Assyrian soldiers becoming afraid and fleeing. Even though the commander orders, “Stop, stop,” there is no one who obeys his voice. A call comes from the Lord to the combined invading army of Babylon and Media: “Plunder the silver, plunder the gold! For there is no end to the treasure – wealth from every kind of desirable object.” Since the soldiers had fled, the wealth of Nineveh had become easy to plunder. The riches that Nineveh had accumulated until then were taken away in an instant.

The destruction by the Lord (v 10-13)

The fall of Nineveh was the work of the Lord. Verse 10 says, “She is emptied! Yes, she is desolate and waste! Hearts are melting and knees wobbling! Also trembling is in the entire body, and all their faces have become pale!” (1) The three words “emptied, desolate, and waste” sound similar in Hebrew. They are “buqah, mebuqah, mebullaqah.” By using this wordplay, the passage impresses upon the reader that this destruction was devastating. (2) The faces of the Assyrians, who had been full of arrogance and pride, grow pale with fear. (3) The question is asked, “Where is the den of the lions?” The lion is the symbol of the king of Assyria. The young lions (lion cubs) symbolize the princes. The lion (the king) tore apart his prey (foreign nations) and filled his den with the wealth he had plundered. However, all that wealth will be carried away. It says, “Behold, I am against you.” The ones who destroy Nineveh are the combined armies of Babylon and Media, but the One who actually accomplishes it is the Lord Himself. The Lord says, “No longer will the voice of your messengers be heard.” Assyria had sent messengers to neighboring nations and demanded harsh tribute from them, but from now on that will no longer be possible. When we look at the end of Nineveh, which had opposed God and His people, we are reminded of the words of the Lord Jesus: “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is demanded of you; and as for all that you have prepared, who will own it now?’” (Luke 12:20). Let us learn to be humble before God. Rather than storing up treasures on earth, let us set our hearts on working for things that have eternal value. God greatly blesses those who walk with Him.