“Where is the lions’ lair, or the feeding ground of the young lions, where the lion and lioness prowled, and the lion’s cub, with nothing to frighten them away? The lion mauled whatever its cubs needed and strangled prey for its lionesses. It filled up its dens with the kill, and its lairs with mauled prey. Beware, I am against you. This is the declaration of the Lord of Armies. I will make your chariots go up in smoke, and the sword will devour your young lions. I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the sound of your messengers will never be heard again.”
Nahum 2:11-13
The prophet Nahum faithfully recorded Yahweh’s message to the people of Judah concerning the city of Nineveh. In it, he gives a very vivid description of the capital city of Assyria, likening it to a lions’ den where the lion and lioness prowl in total confidence, where they raise their young without fear or alarm. The people of Nineveh assumed that their city was an impregnable fortress with its high and stout wall and their seasoned troops prepared for defense. They had sent messengers throughout the kingdoms warning about the foolishness of resisting their might, even mocking the Israelites’ faith in Yahweh, but what they did not count on is what we see in the opening line of v.13, “Beware, I am against you.” Assyria foolishly believed they controlled their own fate, when in fact the Lord was more than capable of destroying their military strength and ensuring that their boastful messengers were never heard from again.
This is a terrifying and hopeful prospect at the same time. Terrifying to those who, like the ancient Ninevites, are arrogant boasters in their own strength thinking themselves invincible. If that is you, then know that the Lord will bring every work of yours into judgment. If you remain arrogant, you will suffer the same fate as these self-assured people from long ago. However, this message is also one of hope for God’s people, those who humbly trust in him for salvation. The destruction of the strength of Assyria was a welcome relief to the people of Judah who had suffered under their oppressive thumb. Truly, we can say with Nahum: “The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; he cares for those who take refuge in him” (1:7).