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"Because of the multitudes of harlotries"

Text: Nahum 3:4

AN IDOLATROUS EMPIRE

The judgment of the Lord also fell upon the Assyrian Empire because of its practice and promotion of idolatry.

“Because of the multitudes of harlotries of the seductive harlot,
The mistress of sorceries,
Who sells nations through her harlotries,
And families through her sorceries.”
Nahum 3:4

1. “Because”

a) The Assyrians were noted for being wickedly violent (Nahum 3:1-3).

b) They were also being judged because of its sinister idolatrous ways.

2. “Multitudes of harlotries”

a) Idolatry was widely promoted.

b) There were a number of features that made Assyrian idolatry more deadly.

3. Two things were highlighted

a) The word “harlotry”.

i) A known practice in the ancient days was the use of “temple prostitutes”.

ii) Part of the draw of the temple practices was the temptation from temple harlots.

b) The word “sorceries”

i) Occultic practices were common.

ii) Some were deceived.

iii) Others became fearful.

iv) Many were enslaved by the charms of these harlots.

4. The extent of their influence

a) Families were affected.

b) Whole nations were influenced.

5. “The mistress of sorceries”

a) This was an apt description of Nineveh.

b) The power of the Empire was attributed to the gods of Assyria.

c) The conquered feared the might of the Assyrians.

d) The gullible were drawn to the mystery religion of the Assyrians.

Many nations were drawn to the idolatrous practices of the Assyrians as a result!