The Pulpit Commentary — Nahum — Section 12

or punishment. "The wages of sin is death," just as certainly as "the fruit of holi- ncBR" is "everlasting life" (Rom. vi. 21-23). Ill. A JUST BETRIDUTI0N. 'fo be pursued by or into darkness is a fitting l0t for those who in their lifetime have loved the darkness rather than the light. 1. The l,,w of moral retribution demands that this shall be so. "Whatsoever a man 50weth that shall he also reap" (Ga.I. vi. 7). He that walks in darkness here cannot hope to walk in li11ht yonder; he who does the deeds of darkness on earth will not likely begin to do deed~ of light in heaven. 2. The character of the wicked makes it certain thr,t this shall be so. No being can act otherwise than in accordance with its nature. Mere change of place suffices not to alter one's nature. No-reason to think that passing from one form of existence to another will effect any radical transmutation of one'8 being. Hence they who have died in darkness will (in all probability) continue to dwell in darkness. LESSONS. 1. Forfake sin. "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of dark- ness." 2. Follow holiness. "Walk as children ot the light." Vers. 9-14.-...4. wicked counsellor. L His PERSON. 1. The Assyrian p(;'l.l)er. Repre- sented in Hezekiah's reign by Sennacherib; in Manasseh's (Nahum's time) by Esar- baddon or Assurbanipal; in each successive reign by the ruling sovereign. 2. The unbelieving world. Of this Assyria was now the symbol, as in former times Egypt bad bern, as in later days Rome was (John xv. 18; Jas. iv. 4). 3. The unrenewed heart. 'l'he carnal mind is enmity against God (Rom. viii. 7). II. His CHARACTER. 1. Powerful. The Assyrian in Nahum's age was "in full strength " (ver. 12), e. well-organized and firmly knit confederacy like " tangled thorns" (ver. 10), which were rlangerous to touch, and a multitudinous people (ver. 12) in comparison with which Judah we.s but e. handful. The same elements of power coexist in the unbelieving world-force (Eph. ii. 2), order (Epb. vi. 12), numbers (1 John v. 19)-in comparison with which the Church of God is weak, disunited, and· small. 'l'he individual transgressor also not unfrequently exhibits an energy, a deter- mination, e.nd a capacity to enlist others upon his side which are wanting in the followers of God and Christ. 2. Self-reliant. Like drunkards drenched in drink (ver. 10), the Assyrians were foolishly confident, and believed themselves to be invincible. In like manner, the unbelieving world in general and the individual sinner in particular, a.re of opinion that they a.re more than sufficient to cope with any form of calamity that may assail them, and to ensure their own safety against any foe, bodily or ghostly, earthly or unearthly, human or Divine. 3. Vile. (1) The Assyrian court was notorious for its gluttony and revelry, especially in the days of Assurbanipal. The world also runs to strange excess of riot in ea.ting and drinking (Rom. xiii. 13; _ 1 Pet. iv. 4). (2) The Assyrian people were worshippers of idols (ver. 14); and the world of to-de.y has its idols before which it delights to prostrate itself and present homage. (3) 'l'be Assyrian kings were tyrannical, cruel, and oppressive; and so also is the world. III. His DE@IGNS. 1. Evil. "He counselleth wickedness" (ver. 11)-in particular oppression of the people of Jehovah (ver. 13). Such was the aim of Assyria towards Judah; such is the e.im of the world towards the Church; and of the unbeliever towards the believer. 2. Impious. His wicked counsels are also directed" against the Lord" (vers. 9, 11). This was the spirit of Assyria as represented by Rabshakeh in the time of Hezekiah (2 Kings xviii. 28-35; 2 Chron. nxii. 11-17 ; Isa. n.x¥i. 7, 14, 15, 18-20; :xx:xvii. i0-13); and of Herod, Pontius Pilate, the Gentile world, and the unbelieving Jews in the de.ye of Christ (Ps. ii. 1; Acts iv. 25-28); and is the spirit still of the unrenewed heart (Rom. viii. 7). 3. Vain. The fruits of a corrupt "ima11i- nation" (vers. 9, 11), they will prove idle and worthless. Assyria's schemes for t'!ie subjugation of Judah came to nought; so resulted in defeat those of Herod and of Pilate, of the Jews and of the Gentiles against the holy Child Jesus; and so will terminate in shame those of wicked men generally against the truth. IV. HIB DOOM. 1. Certain. 'l'he decree bad gone forth against Assyria wben Nahum spoke. "The Lord bath given commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy seed be sown" (ver. 14). A similar decree has gone forth against the ungodly world (2 Pet. iii. 7; 1 John ii. 16-17), and against unbelievers as individuals  '!'HE BOQlt OF N AHtlM. [olr, I, 1-l[j