Daily Devotions
Nahum
"Are you better than No Amon"
Text: Nahum 3:8
MIGHTY EGYPT
Long before the Assyrians became a world power, Egypt was the force to be reckoned with. Thebes was one of the capitals of ancient Egypt. Thebes was also called “No Amon”.
“Are you better than No Amon
That was situated by the River,
That had the waters around her,
Whose rampart was the sea,
Whose wall was the sea?
Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength,
And it was boundless;
Put and Lubim were your helpers.”
Nahum 3:8-9
1. No Amon or Thebes
a) Nineveh was compared with No Amon.
b) No Amon was superior to Nineveh in more ways than one.
2. The strategic location of No Amon
a) It was situated by the famous River Nile.
b) Waters… a reference to canals and small rivers.
c) The ramparts refer to the protective walls of the city.
d) The Sea was the natural ramparts of Thebes/ No Amon.
e) Thebes was more culturally superior and ancient than Nineveh.
3. The support of Thebes
Thebes had the support of four countries.
a) Ethiopia
i) It was a powerful nation in ancient times.
ii) In the days of King Asa, Ethiopia sent an army of 1 million troops.
iii) But they were defeated by the Lord of hosts (2 Chronicles 14:9-15).
b) Egypt
i) Of course, Egypt was involved.
ii) Thebes was one of the capitals of Egypt.
c) Put and Lubim
i) These were smaller kingdoms.
ii) They were most likely North African nations (Lubim has sometimes been identified as Libya).
iii) These were helpers of Thebes (allies).
Nineveh was certainly not in any way superior to No Amon.