Punishment for those who oppress the Lord's people
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¶ The burden ["Oracle," or special words] of Nineveh. The book of
the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
2 ¶ God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. .3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. 4 He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth. .5 The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein. |
1 -
Nahum
Capernaum, a town in Galilee, means "city of Nahum." Elkosh was probably
in Galilee.
1 - Nineveh The main city of Assyria. Do you see literary beauty in the first part of this chapter. What we can't see is that it is an acrostic – each of the first ten verses beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. 2 - Jealous God is jealous because He cares about His children. He is seen to be involved in Nineveh's destruction. His justice is seen in verses 2-6. His power reveals His control over the material world. He often relates to us in human terms. See je5114, am0412, am0608. 2 - Vengeance God does not punish out of a development of hatred. Words are often used to connect with our human understanding. 3 - Slow to anger See ex3406,7. 2pe0309, ho0811. Being slow to anger demonstrates His self-control. 4 - Rebuketh ... sea Through Moses, God opened a path through the Red Sea ex1421, ps10609. 4 - Rivers He controls nature ps10733, is5002. 5 - All ... therein The Lord was well able to destroy Nineveh. At the return of Christ the exhibition of power will be much greater lu0926. |
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Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness
of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown
down by him.
.7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. 8 But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies. |
6 -
Who
can stand? This cry is heard at the coming
of Christ re0614-17.
6 - Like fire See de0424, je0720. 7 - Good As seen in the One who represented Him jn1011, ac1038 7 - Strong hold in ... trouble We can trust Him in our difficulties. This reminds us of the hymn of Martin Luther: "A mighty fortress is our God." Nahum warned the Assyrians but brought courage to the righteous ps06102,3. 8 - Overrunning flood Remembering when God sent a flood (mabul) that destroyed the earth ge0617. |
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¶ What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end:
affliction shall not rise up the second time.
10 For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry. 11 There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked counsellor. |
9 -
Imagine
From chashab, meaning to "regard," or "devise." The boasting of
the Assyrians would work against them is1008-11,
is3618-20
and against the Lord.
9 - Utter end For emphasis, the words of verse 8 are repeated. The completeness of this destruction foreshadows the total destruction of the earth and the people who claim it as their home ps03706-11, ps03738, mala0401, 2pe0310-13; re2012 to 21:5. However another nation possibly with different roots may occupy the same area. Syria, Tyre, and modern Israel are examples. 9 - Affliction ... not rise up the second time This was a promise that Assyria would end. But it is more. Assyria, the enemy of ancient Israel, is a type (symbol) of all the wicked ps03710. In the same way, Babylon later became the primary symbol of the forces of evil re1705. At the end of the thousand years, sin and sinners will meet their end re2013. |
| 12 Thus saith the LORD;
Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down,
when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict
thee no more.
13 For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder. .14 And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile. 15 Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off. |
12
- Quiet The Hebrew word is shalem which also means
"peaceful" or "intact" or "complete." Perhaps all describe the proud city.
12 - Pass through See is2704. 13 - His yoke Assyria had oppressed Judah 2ki1813-16. 14 - Thy grave That is, Assyria's. 15 - Good tidings Of coming victory is5207. And for us, we may expect oppression before Jesus returns but we have this hope. He has promised to redeem us jn1401-3, lu1232. 15 - Keep thy solemn feasts Something they were unable to do under the oppression. 15 - Pass through See is2704. |
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