“All because of the many harlotries of the harlot, the charming one, the mistress of sorceries, who sells nations by her harlotries and families by her sorceries. “Behold, I am against you,” declares the Lord of hosts; “And I will lift up your skirts over your face, and show to the nations your nakedness and to the kingdoms your disgrace.” (vv.4-5)
Here in chapter 3 Nahum gives three reasons why Nineveh deserved to be judged; 1) their ruthless bloodshed (vv.1-3), 2) their idolatry (vv.4-7), and 3) their pride and self-confidence (vv.8-19).
Nineveh, “The City of Blood,” was guilty of extreme cruelty, so profound that it demanded vengeance. History testifies to their (Assyria) bloody cruelties. They are alleged to have cut off enemies’ hands, feet, and noses; gouged out their eyes; flayed or skinned them alive; ripped open pregnant women; beheaded and then burned the bodies in huge piles; and carried out many massacres.
Often in Scripture, idolatry is associated with prostitution, and when you consider that the chief deity of Nineveh was Ishtar, goddess of sexual passion, fertility, and war, you can understand why Nahum used this metaphor. Because of their spiritual blindness, the Assyrians were ensnared by this evil goddess and were under the control of lust, greed, and violence. People become like the god that they worship (Ps. 115:8), for what we believe determines how we behave. And their lust for power was just as strong as their lust for sex. Given all this, it’s no surprise that no one will mourn the destruction of Nineveh, no one will offer words of comfort. Instead, Assyria’s former victims will rejoice in their liberation (v. 7).
Like the Book of Jonah, the Book of Nahum ends with a question: “for who has not felt you endless cruelty?” (v.19, NIV) Nahum emphasizes the same truth that was declared by the Prophet Amos: God punishes cruel nations that follow inhumane policies and brutal practices (Amos 1–2). Whether it’s practicing genocide, exploiting the poor, supporting slavery, or failing to provide people with the necessities of life, the sins of national leaders are known by God and He eventually judges.
If you question that fact, go and search for Nineveh, you will not find it.
The Truth: “You have rebuked the nations, You have destroyed the wicked; You have blotted out their name forever and ever.” (Psalm 9:5)
