5 behaviors that brought God's Judgment

Read Nahum 3.

Nineveh thought that their city was impenetrable.  The walls were high and wide.  Water surrounded the city, forming a natural barrier.  In addition, Assyrian soldiers were well-known for their fierce brutality.  Who would dare even try to conquer them?

Chapter three continues to describe the Babylonian assault on Nineveh with even more graphic detail.  The city walls were breached with a flood of their own water.  Babylonian attackers came upon them so quickly that the assailants tripped over the dead bodies as they advanced (v.3).

Why did God inflict this punishment upon Assyria?
1. They were infamously cruel. (v.1a)
They did not merely conquer enemies.  They butchered them.  Thus, God referred to Nineveh as a bloody city.

2. They were full of lies. (v.1b)
The Assyrian Empire had been built on deceiving other nations in order to control and conquer them.

3. They plundered in excess. (v.1c)
In conquering, they stripped the cities and nations of all valuables, especially gold and silver.  Moreover, they excised enormous tax burdens to feed their greed.

4. They betrayed their neighbors with enticements. (v.4a)
God compared them to prostitutes.  They would do anything for selfish gain and control.  Their offer to aid and help others was a hook to reel them into their snare.

5. They practiced witchcraft and divinations. (v.4b)
In attempts to make decisions, to seek guidance, to gain success, and to know the future they committed themselves to doctrines of demons.  Charms, necromancy, astrology, various kinds of readings, and worship practices were all present in Nineveh.  God asked, "For upon whom has not come your unceasing evil?" (v.19c).

Their independent pride of power and wealth caused them to believe that no one, not even God Himself, could touch them.  But the LORD truly is Almighty.  He said he would shake them like fig trees with ripened fruit (v.12).  All Nineveh's defenses and security systems will fail.

Individuals can fall into the same pride-filled trap.  Ego and self-protection causes people to mistreat others, lie to others. use others for personal gain, live a lifestyle of deception, and turn to anything but God and His Word for life-guidance.  Every false way will eventually fall as sure as did Nineveh.

There is only one certain personal security in the entire universe.  Jesus promised, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)