Good Riddance Nineveh – Nahum 3:1-10

The ministry of the prophet Nahum serves in some part to show that the wicked city of Nineveh is a particular instance of the universal truth that God will dismantle the collective idolatry of His foes though they seek refuge from His strong arm behind the social structure of a city or nation-state. The demise of these examples of 'the city of man' portends the culminating judgements of history upon all wicked powers. The closing book of the Bible reminds us as much even as the closing verse of Nahum makes clear this irreversible, wide spread, widely published and universally celebrated calamity that has descended upon the Assyrians is directly proportional to the reach of their influence in the prime of their power. The operative political philosophy of Assyria is not so strange to us these days though the record of this nation’s influence may seem all but lost to ancient history. Nineveh's policy makers and governors would instantly resonate with many post- enlightenment values of our day. Progressivism – for instance – the philosophy which assumes advancements in science, technology, economic development, social organization, and academics define and enable progress toward ideal conditions for humanity. These ideas fit Assyria and its agenda like a glove... Thus we have the advantage of hindsight in their case through the writings of Nahum to see how it worked out for them.