Reach Central America: October 2014

Friday, October 17, 2014

Demas the Traitor and Other Fellows (Philemon 1:19-25)

19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even your own self besides).

A. Paul here takes yet again the same route at Jesus, taking the debt of another with nothing to gain but friendship with a former slave. He is bartering for the freedom of his friend in a more practical way now, and in a more self sacrificial form. Not just asking a favor, but offering to pay the price for it.

20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord.

A. Paul begins to appeal to the man who owes him his very being for joy and refreshing. He found these things in the work of the Gospel rather than worldly sources.

21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even beyond what I say.

A. Paul is confident because of his knowledge of Philemon. Knowing that it wouldn't be a guilt trip for him to ask such a favor, but that Philemon would most likely see it as an honor to bless the apostle who had sacrificed so much for the Gospel. He goes beyond simple obedience to suggest that Philemon would do even more than what he asked. What exactly he means by this remains a mystery.

22 Also, prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.

A. Here we see the faith of Paul in action. He was in prison as he wrote this, and even though he did not know the exact amount of time he would be confined there, he believed that because of the prayers of Philemon and others he would be released. This releasing did not depend on the officials of those who held him in prison, but on the will of God and His response to the prayers of His people. To prepare a place to stay with no guarantee of freedom was an act of prophetic faith, an example to believers everywhere on how to act in that same faith.

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,

A. We know little about Epaphras aside from the mention of him in Colossians 4:12 in which Paul says he was a Colossians as well. Aside from that we know that he was also imprisoned for the Gospel, possibly at the same time as Paul though we do not know for sure.

24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.

A. These men were all known by Philemon, as this was not written to a church body. It is also possible that Paul's mention of them to Philemon was a suggestion that they agreed with Paul's request for the freedom of Onesimus.
B. Aristarchus is most likely the same man recorded to be with Paul in Acts 19:29 and other places.
C. The only other mention of Demas is in 2 Timothy 4:10, in which Paul says he abandoned because of his love for the world and went to Thessalonica.

D. Luke is most likely the same Luke of the Gospel of Luke and Acts. As he often traveled with Paul we can reason this to be the probable case.

25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

A. According to Adam Clark, the word "your" in the verse is plural, meaning the blessing to go to all who were in the church at his house.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

No Longer a Slave (Philemon 1:13-17)

13 whom I desired to keep with me, that on your behalf he might serve me in my chains for the Good News.

A. Onesimus was such a blessing to Paul that he wanted to continue in their fellowship together. Paul however, even as the powerful apostle chose to ask permission from Philemon, showing a respect most leaders in the church today do not show. Paul had a greater position and right, but he chose the humble road. Most ministers today take the position of power to mean they now have full right to command and demand whatever they want from those under them. This is a fleshly viewpoint that Jesus spoke against when he said his disciples are not to Lord over one another.

B. Ministering in behalf of Philemon is yet another blessing Paul wanted to allow, and wanted for Philemon. Allowing Onesimus to minister on his behalf would have been a credit to him, and is another nod toward how the slave would have been profitable in a spiritual way to both of them.

14 But I was willing to do nothing without your consent, that your goodness would not be as of necessity, but of free will.

A. Paul clarifies that he wanted the permission of Philemon, and that he wanted Philemon to be a cheerful giver. This is the same principal taught in anther place that not only are we expected to give, but that God loves a cheerful giver.

15 For perhaps he was therefore separated from you for a while, that you would have him forever,

A. The word purpose is a highlight word which Paul uses to express the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit. What at have appeared to be an act of rebellion by Onesimus was perhaps orchestrated by the Holy Spirit to bring the slave to His feet.

B. To receive him back forever not as a slave but as a brother. Not just for their time on earth but for the citizenship of heaven as well.

16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

A. No longer as a slave. Freedom is always God's ultimate goal for His people, both spiritually and physically.

B. One wonders why this relationship between Paul and Onesimus was so profound. Very little is known about the runaway, but clearly he meant a great deal to the apostle. It must have been a sacrifice for both of them to write Philemon and ask for the freedom of his friend, knowing that Philemon could have said no, a fact we don't actually know.
The humility of Paul is very impressive. He could have kept Onesimus a secret from Philemon. Without technology it could have been quite easy to hide him and avoid Philemon. Instead the apostle chooses the right move and shows his righteous character.

17 If then you count me a partner, receive him as you would receive me.

A. A partner, not simply a close acquaintance or fellow church member, but some Philemon has toiled with.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Paul the Aged (At 56) (Philemon 1:9-12)

This study was done using the Amplified Bible, which I don't have permission to publish, so I will replace the verses here with the World English Bible (a modernized version of the ASV). Because of that some of the comments may not totally make sense because the AMP has expanded explanations. I would highly recommend going to a site like BibleGateway.com where you can read the AMP version for free.

9 yet for love’s sake I rather beg, being such a one as Paul, the aged, but also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

A. Paul though he has the authority to make commands chooses a more powerful force to make his case, just as God did when he chose to send Jesus to die on the cross rather than force the human race to worship him. In this way Paul gives a choice, which is love's way. Domination may bring the desired order, it will not be a willing one.
B. Paul the aged. This letter was written about 62 a.d.. Taking this into account would mean that Paul was in his mid-fifties when he wrote it, and since he was beheaded about four years after writing Philemon, a type of death he knew was coming, one could see why he would consider himself to be aged. More so when one considers the technology and life span of the day. The average life span of a Roman was only 25 years old (this being the average because 50% of children died before turning 10). Those reaching 40 considered elders who often retired about that age.

Sources: http://www.brlsi.org/events-proceedings/proceedings/25020
http://www.innominatesociety.com/Articles/Death%20and%20Disease%20in%20Ancient%20Rome.htm

10 I beg you for my child, whom I have become the father of in my chains, Onesimus,

A. Onesimus, whose name seems to be more of second name rather than his birth name in the fashion of Simon being renamed Peter. The name has been debated, as most scholars are confident that his name means "Useful", while others have claimed it a slaves number, such as "Number One".

B. Paul most likely converted him because Onesimus was in chains himself for a petty crime. As he was a runaway slave it comes to reason to think he had stolen food or clothing for survival and ended up in the same area as Paul who saw every encounter with someone new as an opportunity to share the Gospel. This is conjecture of course, but interesting to think on nonetheless.

11 who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me.

A. Unprofitable not only because he ran away and ceased to generate income for Philemon, but also because Paul did not consider financial income to be profit. He considered the economy of souls to be profit. Onesimus becoming a believer not only brought spiritual profit to Philemon and Paul, but also an opportunity for Philemon to extend grace and mercy toward a man he in the flesh, before Jesus, would have most likely beaten within an inch of his life.

12 I am sending him back. Therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,

A. Calling Onesimus his own heart was an intense statement by Paul, considering the terminology he used to describe each of the others addressed in his letter. It does put Philemon in an awkward position, knowing that if he mistreats the runaway slave he is in fact openly insulting Paul. Saying that Onesimus was Paul's heart could be construed as manipulation by Paul, which may have been the case to a certain degree, but it is most likely a sincere compliment by the apostle to show how important the issue was to him. This way there was no mis-communication and Philemon understood full well how Paul felt.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Effective Through Encouragement (Philemon 1:5-8)

5 hearing of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints;

A. How exactly Paul heard of the love and faith of Philemon and Apphia is unspoken. It could have been a letter, or messenger, from his own time with them, or from heaven itself, but wherever it came from we see that Paul was pleased enough by the report to not only bless them, but commend them in this way. One may think that Paul could be trying to butter Philemon up with this, but seeing the uncompromising character of Paul in many other places in Scripture would quickly and definitively refute that.

B. Love toward all the saints is not something many Christians possess. Much of the time, as much as love is talked about it is limited to friends.

6. That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. (KJV)

A. What a powerful statement and deep spiritual truth. The effectiveness of the sharing of their faith is directly linked to the acknowledgment of the good things God has given them. Christians so often talk about all the bad things within them in an attempt to appear humble, but this actually destroys their effectiveness in the Gospel. Unfortunately, on the other hand, when there is a believer who takes this verse seriously and does declare the good things of Christ within themselves, they are usually accused of pride and self-righteousness. But righteousness ("right-eousness" AKA: doing what is right) in Christ isn't self-righteousness, is Christness, which is our call and we should be open about it.

B. This acknowledgment isn't just the good things of God in Philemon, but just as much Paul's acknowledgment of the goodness of Christ in himself. This is also known as encouragement. To tell someone they are doing a good job or are gifted at something builds them up, and makes them more effective for the Kingdom.

7 For we have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

A. We have great joy. Paul continues not only by maintaining the effective-making encouragement, but shows how invested he is personally in the church. The consolation is a reminder that Paul is writing this while in chains. The knowledge that they have such great love for the church eases the pain of Paul's incarceration. While being in prison it is likely, as is often the case in modern stories of persecution, that Paul may have had doubts about the effectiveness of his ministry. Learning of the state of the lives and church of Philemon and his associates reassured him that he was not running in vain.

8 Therefore though I have all boldness in Christ to command you that which is appropriate,

A. The encouragement and greeting is now over. Paul goes straight into his reason for writing. The tone in turn also shifts to a more serious shade.

B. The apostle knew that he had the authority to command Philemon to do the right thing. There was no doubt on this subject and he knew the recipients of this letter would not refute this fact. His personality was a bold and fearless one, but it was also measured and controlled. He knew when to speak boldly and when to take a softer approach.

Monday, October 13, 2014

A Heart in Chains (Philemon 1:1-4)

Philemon 1:1-4

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon, our beloved fellow worker,

A. Paul the prisoner of Christ. His common greeting in his letters not only because he writes from a literal prison, but also a prisoner of heart to the brother in Colosse. Similar to one full of new love who can't keep his mind from wandering to his beloved. This is the heart of Paul, unable to escape the love of Jesus, day and night longing to be with His King.

B. Here says "Timothy, our brother" expressing not the brother of Paul and Philemon (though it could be interpreted in that way), but the brother of Paul and Jesus, another endearing view of Paul toward Christ. He is so in love, and knows Him so well that he even refers to to the letter he writes as being from himself, Timothy, and Jesus. Like the fourth person in the burning furnace of the three young men in Daniel's book.

C. Adam Clarke notes, "...Paul was a prisoner at Rome when he wrote this epistle, and those to the Colossians and Philippians. But some think that the term prisoner does not sufficiently point out the apostle’s state, and that the original word δεσμιος should be translated bound with a chain: this is certainly its meaning; and it shows us in some measure his circumstances - one arm was bound with a chain to the arm of the soldier to whose custody he had been delivered."

2 to the beloved Apphia, to Archippus, our fellow soldier, and to the assembly in your house:

A. Apphia: In certain translations, such as the Alexandrian copy and Latin Vulgate, this is written, "sister Apphia", and it has been suggested that she was the wife of Philemon.

B. We know from Colossians 4:17 that Archippus was a minister, and almost certainly one of the leaders of the church in Philemon's home.

C. Paul in this simple statement obliterates the idea that the church is a building. He clearly refers to the church as the people who go to the building, which in this case the house of Philemon.

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

A. Grace and peace, two of the preeminent and over abounding forces in the Kingdom of God.

B. Here also we can remember the command of Jesus to let our peace rest on homes that are worthy. Though Paul was not present physically at the home of Philemon he supersedes the physical with spiritual and declares peace over he and Apphia. In the same statement he also declares them worthy to have it declared over them; quite a powerful statement when taken into consideration.

4 I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers,

A. I thank my God, yet another personal and possessive statement from the apostle. What an intense love he had for his God and brother.
B. Paul says he always makes mention of them in his prayers. Imagine knowing that the apostle Paul was regularly praying for you! Scripture tells us that Jesus, who is far beyond Paul, is interceding with the the Father for us (Romans 8:34). That should be a very encouraging thought for us.

C. Also shown here is the love that Paul had for Philemon and this house church which he, Paul, most likely started. His disciples constantly were on his mind. He was a focused person, not allowing distractions of frivolous prayers weigh him down. He prayed what was on the Father's heart, and that eventually became what was on his own heart.

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Broken Threads of Power (Nahum 3:14-19

14 Draw thee water for the siege; strengthen thy fortresses; go into the clay, and tread the mortar; make strong the brickkiln.

A. Nahum warns ahead of time that the Assyrians should begin preparations for the siege even though God has decreed its destruction. The reason for this being that it is human nature, even with the Word of God so blatantly declared, to rely on man-made solutions to spiritual problems. If Nineveh had repented at Nahum's prophecy the way they did to Jonah's (because the declarations of Jonah were just as bleak), God surely would have turned away His wrath and give them another chance.

15 There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off; it shall devour thee like the canker-worm: make thyself many as the canker-worm; make thyself many as the locust.

A. It does not matter how many or how strong the preparations, the fire of God's wrath will tear them down with ease.

B. Locusts come in overwhelming numbers. They are an unstoppable force that devastate every habitat they enter. This is similar to the way sin works in our lives. One or two small issues may not show up on the radar or do any real damage, but when our lives becomes plagued with them we are quickly overcome by them.

C. Nahum yet again tells the Ninevites to prepare further by multiplying themselves like locusts. Yet again he is pointing out that man made solutions will have no effect on the declared plans of God. They can build stronger fortifications, and they can raise up great armies and multiply, but God's fire will still accomplish what it comes to do.

16 Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of heaven: the canker-worm ravageth, and fleeth away.

A. Nahum is added a third thread to the supposed strength of Nineveh. First the strength of walls, then the strength of armies, and now the strength of the massive amount of finances the lubricated the engine of war. Every aspect of the city would be swallowed into darkness.

B. The Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown commentary says the following, "Nineveh, by large canals, had easy access to Babylon; and it was one of the great routes for the people of the west and northwest to that city; lying on the Tigris it had access to the sea. The Phoenicians carried its wares everywhere. Hence its merchandise is so much spoken of."

17 Thy princes are as the locusts, and thy marshals as the swarms of grasshoppers, which encamp in the hedges in the cold day, but when the sun ariseth they flee away, and their place is not known where they are.

A. "Princes" in the Amplified Version is also frequently translated "crowned ones". This is because during the time of Assyria it wasn't just the King or princes who wore crowns, but in fact many governing leaders and officials wore different types of crowns to designate rank.

These crowned princes put on quite a show of strength when the nation seemed strong, but fled like locusts when the enemy came.

18 Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria; thy nobles are at rest; thy people are scattered upon the mountains, and there is none to gather them.

A. The shepherds, those who of all the Ninevites should have known to see the times and repent to God for their sin. The blood of that nation is on them more than anyone else. They had the history of the days of Jonah not far behind and surely saw their nation quickly abandoning what had been instilled by the Word of God, but they chose instead of embrace Dagon their other false gods. It was because of their heathen and selfish choices that their people were scattered on the mountains, that no one came to save them.

19 There is no assuaging of thy hurt: thy wound is grievous: all that hear the report of thee clap their hands over thee; for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually?

A. If any prophecy is true it is this one. Nineveh was wounded and destroyed, and to this day has never been rebuilt. It is a mere tourist attraction with no semblance of the world dominating throne it once contained.

B. Nineveh, as is always the case with world powers, was a source of every kind of sin. They harlotry, thievery, lies, deception, murders, and other heinous sins they and their king taught and promoted spread like a sickness, and it cost them their nation.

This study was done using the Amplified Bible, which I don't have permission to publish, so I will replace the verses here with the American Standard Version. Because of that some of the comments may not totally make sense because the AMP has expanded explanations. I would highly recommend going to a site like BibleGateway.com where you can read the AMP version for free.

Friday, October 10, 2014

Cornu Amoni (Nahum 3:9-12

This study was done using the Amplified Bible, which I don't have permission to publish, so I will replace the verses here with the American Standard Version. Because of that some of the comments may not totally make sense because the AMP has expanded explanations. I would highly recommend going to a site like BibleGateway.com where you can read the AMP version for free.

9 Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was infinite; Put and Lubim were thy helpers.

A. No, as in No-Amon, is the original word, when used in conjunction with "Amon", it is a form of declaring the city of No as not only belonging to Amon, but literally in meaning to be "a portion of Amon".

B. Amon was the god of gods and the god of the wind. He also held the position as being one of the rare gods who created himself. This fact of the belief system of Thebes (No-Amon) gives us a glimpse at why Jehovah destroyed the city in such a definite fashion.

Amon (Amun)

C. The Greeks later on also began to worship Amon, however they mixed Amon with Zeus and created Ammon Zeus, a god they worshiped not as the original Zeus, but a form of him.

Ammon Zeus - Staatliche Antikensammlungen - Munich

D. According to Wikipedia, "Several words derive from Amun via the Greek form, Ammon, such as ammonia and ammonite. The Romans called the ammonium chloride they collected from deposits near the Temple of Jupiter Amun in ancient Libya sal ammoniacus (salt of Amun) because of proximity to the nearby temple.[26] Ammonia, as well as being the chemical, is a genus name in the foraminifera. Both these foraminiferans (shelled Protozoa) and ammonites (extinct shelled cephalopods) bear spiral shells resembling a ram's, and Ammon's, horns. The regions of the hippocampus in the brain are called the cornu ammonis – literally "Amun's Horns", due to the horned appearance of the dark and light bands of cellular layers."

Ammonia beccarii, a benthic foram from the North Sea. - Wikipedia

Cornu Ammonis in the Hippocampus in the brain. - Brainmaps.org

10 Yet was she carried away, she went into captivity; her young children also were dashed in pieces at the head of all the streets; and they cast lots for her honorable men, and all her great men were bound in chains.

A. The city of No was destroyed in a two-fold manner. It was ironically Sennacherib, the evil one Nahum speaks about, who originally invaded and destroyed No (Thebes). This, according to historians, took place about three years before he besieged Jerusalem. Years after Sennacherib destroyed it, Nebuchadnezzar captured the city in the 500's and took its inhabitants into captivity. In this case, Nahum is not only speaking about the first destruction, but actually prophesying of a second.

11 Thou also shalt be drunken; thou shalt be hid; thou also shalt seek a stronghold because of the enemy.

A. Now Nahum returns to the subject of Nineveh. The Ninevites shall be drunk not with wine or drink, but the wrath of God which is a far more potent force to consume. This same fate that the powerful No-Amon faced, would now be imposed upon Nineveh. The harlotry, or worship of others gods, depending on other forces for strength is what caused the destruction of these nations.

12 All thy fortresses shall be like fig-trees with the first-ripe figs: if they be shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater.

A. Ripe figs on the branch are very easily knocked to the ground. Even with a healthy tree, the slightest shake can cause them to fall.

B. Ripe fruit is also desirable, just, as John Gill points out, would have been the fortresses of Nineveh to the invading armies. They were of strategic strength and importance, and the Babylonians, Medes, Chaldeans, and others would have certainly desired to own them for the strength they provided.

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Introducing No-Amon (Nahum 3:5-8)

This study was done using the Amplified Bible, which I don't have permission to publish, so I will replace the verses here with the American Standard Version. Because of that some of the comments may not totally make sense because the AMP has expanded explanations. I would highly recommend going to a site like BibleGateway.com where you can read the AMP version for free.

5 Behold, I am against thee, saith Jehovah of hosts, and I will uncover thy skirts upon thy face; and I will show the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame.

A. As the harlot she was, the seduction shall be put to an end when the nations see The truth of her vileness. She will be absolutely disgraced and then despised by the surrounding nations.

6 And I will cast abominable filth upon thee, and make thee vile, and will set thee as a gazing-stock.

A. He will make her a gazing stock not only in order to shame the city, but as a warning to others, particularly Babylon which would take Assyria's place. To follow in the steps of harlotry is to face the same desecration and humiliation as the harlot. This same truth has been a pattern throughout history that continues to repeat itself.

7 And it shall come to pass, that all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee, and say, Nineveh is laid waste: who will bemoan her? whence shall I seek comforters for thee?

A. They will look in terror out of fear that they too will be destroyed, those not in the invading army. Yet not one will pity or miss her. She is such a blight in the world that all will celebrate her destruction save those living within her. None shall come to her aid or comfort her, she will be crushed and ruined and die alone.

8 Art thou better than No-amon, that was situate among the rivers, that had the waters round about her; whose rampart was the sea, and her wall was of the sea?

No-Amon, also known as Thebes was a city captured multiple times by Ashurbanipal in the early 600's B.C.. Smith's Bible Dictionary says this of No-Amon, "...to distinguish Thebes from some other place bearing the same name or on account of the connection of Amen with that city. The description of No-amon as "situated among the rivers, the waters round about it" (Nah. l.c.), remarkably characterizes Thebes. (It lay on both sides of the Nile, and was celebrated for its hundred gates, for its temples, obelisks, statues. etc. It was emphatically the city of temples, in the ruins of which many monuments of ancient Egypt are preserved, The plan of the city was a parallelogram, two miles from north to south and four from east to west, but none suppose that in its glory if really extended 33 miles along both aides of the Nile. Thebes was destroyed by Ptolemy, B.C. 81, and since then its population has dwelt in villages only. --ED.)"

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

The Bloody City (Nahum 3:1-4)

This study was done using the Amplified Bible, which I don't have permission to publish, so I will replace the verses here with the American Standard Version. Because of that some of the comments may not totally make sense because the AMP has expanded explanations. I would highly recommend going to a site like BibleGateway.com where you can read the AMP version for free.

Nahum Chapter 3:

1. Woe to the bloody city! it is all full of lies and rapine; the prey departeth not.

Nineveh certainly was a bloody city. It's kings were known for awful brutality. When they defeated their enemies there would lead their captives by putting hooks through their noses and even execute them by skinning them alive.

It was full of lies as are many nations, particularly the nobles and politicians. They make great promises to nations and peoples in order to convince them to submit, but in the end do not fulfill their end of the bargain.

2 The noise of the whip, and the noise of the rattling of wheels, and prancing horses, and bounding chariots,

A. Such distinct sounds the inhabitants of the city would have hear from far off. The cracking of the whip also indicates haste, the rushing onslaught toward the great city.

3 the horseman mounting, and the flashing sword, and the glittering spear, and a multitude of slain, and a great heap of corpses, and there is no end of the bodies; they stumble upon their bodies;-

A. Such a large multitude of flashing swords and gleaming spears would have been terrible to look at from the city walls. Then, when they burst into the city the bodies became innumerable. The stumbling was by both the horsemen and the fleeing Ninevites who were forced to trip over the bodies of their own family and friends. The horsemen, having no respect for those they killed continued forward, trampling the bodies of their victims.

4 All because of the multitude of the harlotries [of Nineveh], the well-favored harlot, the mistress of deadly charms who betrays and sells nations through her whoredoms [idolatry] and peoples through her enchantments.

Harlotry in fact was a mainstay of Assyria, John Gill explains: "...all the Assyrian women must be harlots, since they were obliged once in their lifetime to lie with a stranger in the temple of Venus, whom the Assyrians call Mylitta, as Herodotus (b) and Strabo (c) relate; to all which here may be an allusion: and particularly the inhabitants of this city had all the arts of address and insinuation to deceive others as harlots have; and both men and women very probably were given to whoredom and adultery in a literal sense as is generally the case where luxury and intemperance abound; and especially were grossly guilty of idolatry, which in Scripture is frequently expressed by whoredom and adultery; worshiping Bel, Nisroch and other deities and which was highly provoking to God; and therefore for these things, his judgement came upon them, before and after described."

Nineveh had a long history of enslaving nations. Those nations which rose up and destroyed it were enslaved nations before that time.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Ashurbanipal - Lion Slayer? (Nahum 2:6-13)

This study was done using the Amplified Bible, which I don't have permission to publish, so I will replace the verses here with the American Standard Version. Because of that some of the comments may not totally make sense because the AMP has expanded explanations. I would highly recommend going to a site like BibleGateway.com where you can read the AMP version for free.

6 The gates of the rivers are opened, and the palace is dissolved.

A. Despite the great efforts of the Ninevites to survive and fight back, God's judgement and the prophecy of Nahum was unstoppable. According to John Gill, the rivers here are, "Of Diava and Adiava, or Lycus and Caprus, between which, according to some writers (i), Nineveh was situated; or the gates of the city, which lay nearest to the river Tigris, are meant; or that river itself, the plural for the singular, which overflowing, broke down the walls of the city for two and a half miles, and opened a way for the Medes and Chaldeans to enter in...". It was the overflowing of the river Tigris that truly sealed the fate of the Ninevites. They could have possibly fought for longer and held off the powerful attack the the Babylonians had it not been for the flooding that destroyed their walls.

7 And it is decreed: she is uncovered, she is carried away; and her handmaids moan as with the voice of doves, beating upon their breasts.

It is decreed. Once God decrees something, there is nothing that can stop it. Not the largest armies, wisest men, or thickest walls.

Some translations have the word Huzzab instead of "She". This is because Hebrew word "Huzzab" means "Appointed", and there has been debate as to whether Huzzab is the name of the queen, who would have very likely been taken captive as was the custom in those days, or is this referring to Nineveh itself. This is unknown for sure, however in my opinion the fact that this passage specifically refers to "her maids" makes me lean toward Huzzab indeed being the queen.

8 But Nineveh hath been from of old like a pool of water: yet they flee away. Stand, stand, they cry; but none looketh back.

A. Nineveh as a standing pool is an reference to the age of the city, Nineveh was founded by Nimrod (Genesis 10:11) the great hunter before the Lord. It had been strong for a very long time, but now, even with such deep roots the people fled in chaos. The bravest of their champions called for them to stand their ground, but they would not listen even to them.

9 Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold; for there is no end of the store, the glory of all goodly furniture.

A. It is truly incredible the accuracy of Nahum's description of what would happen. Babylonian accounts of the siege of Nineveh describe that they actually stopped their advance toward the city because the surrounding temples and villages were so full of plunder, they decided to take their times and divvy it up before making their way into the main city.

B. According to Gordon Franz*, "Nineveh was the Fort Knox of mid-seventh century BC Mesopotamia. On every Assyrian campaign they removed the silver, gold and precious stones and other items from the cities they sacked. When they bragged about the booty that was taken, silver and gold always topped the list. As an example, after the fall of No-Amon (Thebes), Ashurbanipal bragged that he took:

Silver, gold, precious stones, the goods of his palace, all there was, brightly colored and linen garments, great horses, the people, male and female, two tall obelisks...I removed from their positions and carried them off to Assyria. Heavy plunder, and countless, I carried away from Ni’ [Thebes] (Luckenbill 1989, 2:296,)

* Source: Associates For Biblical Research (http://www.biblearchaeology.org/), Bible and Spade Magazine.

10 She is empty, and void, and waste; and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and anguish is in all loins, and the faces of them all are waxed pale.

A. There is no doubt that this is truly what became the fate of Nineveh. Utter destruction. To this day it is still nothing but dust and ruins. The three Hebrew words for, "Emptiness! Desolation! Utter waste!" Are Bukah, Mebukah, Mebullakah, and are intense, definitive words meant to signify the ominous climax to the battle.

11 Where is the den of the lions, and the feeding-place of the young lions, where the lion and the lioness walked, the lion's whelp, and none made them afraid?

Nineveh was such a powerful city, the crown of a world dominating nation that it is entirely appropriate to compare it to a lion's den. Assyrian Kings were also expected to be men of great bravery, and lion hunting is often depicted in their art. Pictured here is an artifact from the British Museum taken from the dig of Nineveh's North Palace. Here were see Ashurbanipal on a royal lion hunt.

12 The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his caves with prey, and his dens with ravin.

A. Nineveh, the lion was the source of power, strength, and wealth for all of Assyria. As Gordon Franz* stated, it was the Fort Knox of the nation. Out of it the military decisions to conquer and destroy others came, and the spoils of those conquests were then brought back to the city.

*Source: Associates For Biblical Research (http://www.biblearchaeology.org/), Bible and Spade Magazine.

13 Behold, I am against thee, saith Jehovah of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions; and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard.

God says He will burn the chariots of Nineveh in smoke. The fires that will burn the city will be so great that the heat from just the smoke will be enough to cook the famous chariots and their riders.

John Wesley states, "Thy messengers - Ambassadors or muster - masters. Probably this refers to Rabshakeh who had blasphemed the living God. Those are not worthy to be heard again, that have once spoken reproachfully against God."

Monday, October 6, 2014

Nahum's Sarcasm (Nahum 2:1-5)

1. He that dasheth in pieces is come up against thee: keep the fortress, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily.

As mentioned in the AMP version, this is a sarcastic message to Nineveh by the prophet. As Elijah mocked the prophets of Baal so Nahum is mocking the Ninevites who were in a time of expansion when this was written. They were growing in strength and becoming ever stronger, believing that they could not possibly fall. Nahum knew that for all their strength it would come to a bitter and bloody end, as it certainly did.

2 For Jehovah restoreth the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel; for the emptiers have emptied them out, and destroyed their vine-branches.

A. What a declaration of redemption! God's desire has always been to restore the excellency of His people. They so often open the gates and allow plunderers to come in and empty them of their goods, but God is there waiting to restore and bless.

3 The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots flash with steel in the day of his preparation, and the cypress spears are brandished.

A. The Medes in fact did use red shields and clothing as is depicted in the image of a Median cavalryman here.

Median Cavalryman

It is also likely that the redness of the shields is also in reference to the blood of those killed in the battle. In the case of the fire and steel it is historically recorded that the Medes and Babylonians always carried torches with them into battle. Aside from providing light at night, they were also used to honor their gods.

4 The chariots rage in the streets; they rush to and fro in the broad ways: the appearance of them is like torches; they run like the lightnings.

A. What an image of desperation and chaos is this prophecy of what Nineveh will look like when that inevitable war was to come. The wild, bewildered attempts to escape by the Ninevites as they are overrun by torch carrying chariots of the Babylonian army. Without a doubt the Babylonians used those torches to set homes and anything else they could on fire. One can only imagine the terror they must have felt when the overwhelming surge of the enemy began to push through the streets.

5 He remembereth his nobles: they stumble in their march; they make haste to the wall thereof, and the mantelet is prepared.

A. At this point, when the siege actually took place, the brilliant king Ashurbanipal had died, and a less effective king, the son of Ashurbanipal, named Sin-shar-ishkun was ruling in Nineveh. Once Ashurbanipal had died, the kingdom of Assyria began to unravel fairly quickly. There were multiple violent conflicts, including with his own brother whom he removed from the throne. He was killed in the attack.