The cruel acts against No-amon (v 8-10)

Last time, we studied two reasons for the fall of Nineveh: (1) its evil deeds (the bloody city, v 1-3) and (2) demonic religion (the city of occult, v 4-7). In today’s passage, we will learn the third reason. It is the cruel acts that Assyria committed against No-amon. (1) No-amon was a greatly prosperous city that served as the capital of Upper Egypt. It is well known by the name Thebes. This city was a fortress far stronger than Nineveh, protected by four branches of the Nile River. As it says, “Are you better than No-amon, which was situated by the canals of the Nile, with water surrounding her, whose rampart was the sea, whose wall consisted of the sea?” (2) No-amon had four allied nations: Cush (Ethiopia), Egypt (that is, Lower Egypt), Put (Somalia), and Lub (Libya). (3) Despite having strong defenses and four allied nations, No-amon was destroyed by Assyria (663 BC, by King Ashurbanipal). (4) The cruel acts of Assyria are listed. “Yet she became an exile, she went into captivity; also her small children were smashed to pieces at the head of every street; they cast lots for her honorable men, and all her great men were bound with shackles.” Killing the infants of conquered enemies by dashing them to pieces was a common practice of Assyria. The soldiers cast lots for the noble people in order to sell them as slaves. In contrast, the leading men of the conquered nation were bound with chains.

The judgement from the Lord (v 11-12)

Because of such cruel acts, Nineveh will fall. Since No-amon, which was stronger than Nineveh, fell, the fall of Nineveh will come even more easily. (1) It says, “You too will become drunk, You will be hidden. You too will search for a refuge from the enemy.” “Become drunk” means becoming drunk with the cup of God’s wrath (to be terrified, to receive judgment) (ref. Isa. 49:26; Jer. 25:17, 27, etc.). (2) Furthermore, the destruction of Nineveh will come quickly. As it says, “All thy fortresses shall be like fig-trees with the first-ripe figs: if they be shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater” (ASV). The first-ripe figs are those that ripen at the beginning of the harvest season and are quickly eaten (ref. Rev. 6:13). The God we believe in is a God of love, righteousness, and holiness. Before Him, cruel acts can never be overlooked. The psalm of Asaph in Psalm 73 addresses exactly this theme. Seeing the wicked greatly prosper, Asaph felt the contradiction of life and sang as follows. “When I thought of understanding this (why the wicked prosper), it was troublesome in my sight until I entered the sanctuary of God; then I perceived their end. You indeed put them on slippery ground; You dropped them into ruin. How they are destroyed in a moment! They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!” There is no need to envy when we see the wicked prosper. Rather, we should walk in the fear of God.