God our Fortress - A Commentary on Nahum 1: 7-8

The End of Pride

Too long, please open your Bible Nahum 1: 9-15

Biggest, Baddest Empire

Imagine a country so strong, so scary, and so big that everyone else was afraid of them. That was Assyria, the biggest, baddest empire in the world during Bible times.

Assyria — at the time of Nahum’s prophecy — was near the peak of their success in plundering and taking over territory from other nations. Assyria controlled about 10–14% of what we would consider the "ancient known world" at its peak.

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Drunk on success

At the time of Nahum’s prophecy, Assyria had conquered the Northern kingdom and also attempted to take Jerusalem, but God intervened (more on this shortly). Their attempt to take Jerusalem is recorded in Isaiah 36-27 and 2 Kings 18:13-19:37.

Too long, please open your Bible Isaiah 36: 13-20

In the section we read above, we can see the confidence of Assyria’s king as he threatened the people of Judah. This wasn’t just politics; it was theological rebellion. Assyria exalted itself not only above nations but above God Himself. The king of Assyria had become blinded by his accomplishments.

A pattern of arrogance

The story doesn't stop with Assyria. We find the same in Egypt and Babylon.

But Pharaoh said, “Who is Yahweh that I should listen to His voice to let Israel go? I do not know Yahweh, and also, I will not let Israel go.” Exodus 5:2
The king answered and said, ‘Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal house by the strength of my power and for the glory of my majesty?’ Daniel 4:30

To each of these kings, God responded in power. Throughout Scripture, God consistently demonstrates that no king or kingdom can challenge His power and prevail.

When Pharaoh hardened his heart and defied God’s command to let Israel go, the Lord overwhelmed Egypt with plagues and split the sea to deliver His people.

When Sennacherib, king of Assyria, mocked the living God and threatened Jerusalem, God struck down 185,000 of his soldiers in a single night, humbling the proud empire.

And when Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, boasted in his own glory, God humbled him by taking away his reason and making him live like a beast until he acknowledged that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of men.

The problem with pride

Even though we have focused on kings and empires, pride on an individual level also displeases God.

Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted.

Proverbs 3:34

For Yahweh is high, Yet He sees the lowly, But the one who exalts himself He knows from afar. Psalm 138:6

At the root of the pride of these kings/nations is a confidence in one’s own strength or accomplishments. Our past victories seem to give us the illusion that we can reproduce success by our own strength. However, we must be watchful.

Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. Psalm 127: 1-2 (NLT)

The failure on the part of the kings we read about (which is many times our own failure) is blindness to the fact that man’s actions and God’s actions are not equally weighted. Whether it be building, security or political success, all success is ultimately from God.

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist have been appointed by God. Romans 13:1

A parable from Jesus

Too long, please open your Bible Luke 12: 13-21

The parable highlights the unpredictability of life and God's authority over it. The man’s prosperity comes from the land, not his efforts. Even his soul is beyond his control, as God can demand it at any time.

We must be humble

Humility in salvation

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2: 8-9

Humility in planning

Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1
Many thoughts are in a man’s heart, But it is the counsel of Yahweh that will stand. Proverbs 19:21
Too long, please open your Bible James 4: 13-16

Humility in trust

Too long, please open your Bible Luke 12: 25-30