Political Prostitution
Behold, I am against you, declares the LORD of hosts, and I will uncover your skirts over your face; and I will cause the nations to see your nakedness, and the kingdoms your shame. Nahum 3:5
Shame – The prophet Nahum proclaims God’s judgment against Nineveh. He uses language more akin to the brothel than to the realm of political intrigue. But the words are graphic and stark because the message needs to be shocking. God is going to figuratively strip the covering from Nineveh and reveal the city’s true character.
Do you see the picture in your mind’s eye? Every nation is about to see what should have been kept pure and covered. Disgrace and shame are unavoidable. Nineveh thought that it could use its charms to entice others to follow its way. But it did not reckon with the Judge of all mankind. Nineveh’s glory is about to be turned into humiliation.
The Hebrew qalon is often associated with God’s judgment. In the Hebrew world, shame is not simply limited to outward social status. It carries with it inward ethical and religious humiliation. It is disgrace and loss of honor at every level. It is the quintessential emotion of being caught in the act. What’s amazing about the Biblical view of shame is that it is associated with God’s sovereignty over human deceit. Men blind to the Creator are convinced that their dark deeds will bring them gain. They have forgotten one indelible rule of the universe. God will repay.
Most of us know the story of Nineveh only because of the prophet Jonah. We know of Nineveh’s repentance, not of its judgment. Nahum brings to light the other side of the story. God will not be mocked. Deceit, treachery and disobedience will be summarily judged by the God Who is.
You might ask yourself what this backwater prophet has to do with the 21st Century. Who cares what Nahum said about Nineveh? Nahum’s oracle is a judgment against a culture that viewed its prominence and power as the means to security, wealth and influence. Ignoring the word of the Lord meant destruction to the superpower of Assyria. Do you imagine that it is any different today? Has God changed His mind about deceit and seduction among nations? Has He taken a vacation from upholding justice? Not likely.
The strength of Nineveh was useless in God’s court. Nahum said that shame and disgrace were coming. It’s worth a moment’s thought to ask what political affiliations we hold near and dear. Are we citizens of Nineveh, enjoying the fruits of our power, or are we strangers in a strange land, ethically detached from a world gone mad from its own glory?
