Assyria: The Nation God Used to Punish Israel
An overview of the Assyrian Empire.
We are nearing the end of the northern kingdom of Israel.
As we learn about the last few kings of Israel, we’re going to start reading about a nation that’s new to us - the Assyrians.
Let’s briefly overview the Assyrian Empire.
The Rise of the Assyrian Empire.
The rise of Assyria into what’s known as the “Neo-Assyrian Empire” - the time of greatest power for the Assyrian nation - was a long process.
The first Assyrian capital city was Assur, which was founded around 2600 B.C. The Assyrians did not become independent from the rule of other nations until much later, around the mid-1300s B.C. Their power grew steadily until they became the strongest nation in the region.
Beginning around 900 B.C., Assyria started expanding its borders, thanks to several advantages it had been building for hundreds of years. These advantages included:
They were the first in the region to develop iron weapons, while everyone else used inferior bronze weapons.
They were skilled ironworkers, which allowed them to efficiently and cheaply produce all the tools of war they wanted.
They were the first to include an engineering unit in their army, which helped the Assyrians overcome walled cities.
Their chariots were also renowned and provided much greater protection on the battlefield.
The Location of the Assyrian Empire.
The Assyrian Empire was located in what’s called the “Fertile Crescent.” The territory it controlled included areas like modern-day Iraq, Turkey, Palestine, and even Egypt.
The Fall of the Assyrian Empire.
Although the Assyrian Empire was powerful, it fell rapidly with the fall of Assur (614 BC), Nineveh (612 BC), and Harran (609 BC). Assyria fell to an alliance between nations like the Babylonians and the Medes.
Several prophets of God preached against the wickedness of Assyria and foretold its downfall.
Isaiah referred to Assyria as “the rod” of God’s anger (10:5), but announced God’s judgment would ultimately come upon them because of their arrogance (10:12-19).
Jonah was sent to the city of Nineveh and warned them about God’s judgment. However, the Assyrians repented and God spared them.
But later, the prophet Nahum announced that God’s judgment was coming upon Nineveh and the nation of Assyria because of their wickedness.
Assyria and Israel.
In our study of the kings of Israel, we are rapidly approaching the end of the northern kingdom. Although God continued to send prophets to warn them, they refused to listen.
And their time is just about up.
The nation God was raising up to punish Israel was Assyria. After the Assyrians served God’s purpose, He would bring them down, showing His sovereignty over all the kingdoms of the earth (Nahum 1:1-5).
