The gates of the rivers shall be opened and the palace shall be dissolved (Nahum 2:6) referred prophetically to how the city of Nineveh will be overrun by a flood. This prophecy came true as the Medo-Babylonian army invaders against Nineveh dammed the river Khoser and the opened its gates to flood the city of Nineveh. This was decreed (Huzzab) of the Lord and so it happened, just as the Lord had promised comfort for his people (Judah) through his prophet Nahum (Nahum 2:7). The Medo-Babylonian invaders were merely acting out God’s decree. The people of Nineveh were made captive and led out of their bloody city, cooing like doves, beating upon their breasts like one would strike a tambourine (Nahum 2:7). The leading of the Nineveh captives out of their own land is likened to the fleeing of water from a pool and while they wished for the exodus to stop by crying, “Stand, stand”, none could look back to stay in the city for no one could come to their rescue and refuge (Nahum 2:8) . The captives would be brought up (Jeremiah 21:2) to the land of their invaders (Babylon) as it was decreed of the Lord. Not only will the people and their worthies (princes – Nahum 2:5) be taken captive as prisoners, but all of their wealth (silver, gold, and glorious furnishings such as pleasant furniture) shall be plundered (Nahum 2:9) and the land shall be made empty, laid void and as waste. The hearts of the inhabitants would melt in fear, their knees shall smite against each other in trepidation. In their loins, which is symbolic of the place of strength (Job 40:7; 2 Samuel 20:8), shall they ache and their faces will grow pale (gather blackness) with fear (Nahum 2:10). Why, because, it is decreed by the Lord.
Points to ponder:
The enemies of God and his people can be assured of being overrun by the Lord as a flood overruns a city and they shall be brought up to justice. No one can come to their rescue and refuge. All their trust in the worthies and wealth shall be laid bare and their hearts shall melt in fear, their knees shall strike each other, their loins shall ache and their faces shall grow pale. Why? Because it is decreed, It is Huzzab. The question that remains then to be answered is, “Are you and I enemies of God?” To answer this question, we must answer, “Are we friends of this world?” for the Bible states that friendship of this world is enmity with God (James 4:4).
Nahum 2:6-10 (KJV)
6 The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved.
7 And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts.
8 But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back.
9 Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold: for there is none end of the store and glory out of all the pleasant furniture.
10 She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain is in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness.
