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"Woe to the bloody city"

Text: Nahum 3:1

A BLOODTHIRSTY NATION

The Assyrian Empire was noted for its ferocity and wickedness. They did not hesitate to shed blood if that would further their cause and grow their empire. They had not reckoned with being accountable to God.

“Woe to the bloody city!
It is all full of lies and robbery.
Its victim never departs.
The noise of a whip
And the noise of rattling wheels,
Of galloping horses,
Of clattering chariots!
Horsemen charge with bright sword and glittering spear.
There is a multitude of slain,
A great number of bodies,
Countless corpses-
They stumble over the corpses-”
Nahum 3:1-3

1. “Woe to the bloody city”

a) This is not to be understood as a swearing phrase.

b) It is simply a pronouncement of woe to the city of Nineveh.

2. Description of the city

a) Full of lies (deceitful plans to rob people).

b) Full of robbery (This was common place).

c) The victim never departs… because he is killed in the process of being robbed.

3. A war scene described

a) Chariots

i) A strong army of chariots was employed by the Assyrians.

ii) The charioteer would whip his horses so that they would run swiftly.

iii) The noisy chariots created such a din in the cities invaded.

b) Weaponry

i) Sword were well-polished.

ii) Spears glittered in the sunlight.

c) Victims

i) The Assyrians slew their victims mercilessly.

ii) Corpses were strewn all over the streets.

iii) The streets were so littered the horses and chariots stumbled.

It is little wonder that the prophet Nahum pronounced a woeful judgment on Nineveh!