Nahum 1: Warnings to Nineveh, encouragement to Judah
[Preliminary Comments: This first chapter, after simply having stated its goal, first extols the Lord [v.2-10], speaking of His character and activity, and then moves to speak more directly to Judah (to encourage) and Nineveh (to warn). The Lord is going to bring an end to Assyria’s activity that has affected Judah.]
v.1 Clear goal of the prophecy: Nineveh, capital of Assyria
v.1 A prophecy concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
PART ONE: v.2-10: About the Lord
v.2 He will declare three things about the Lord: 1. That God is jealous & avenging
v.2 The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies.
[Note: Jealousy implies love & concern; here it will be for Israel but first he simply declares this characteristic: God will NOT ignore those who have made themselves His enemy and He will deal with them in His jealousy for His people.]
v.3-6 The second thing: 2. God is slow to anger but He will act
v.3 The LORD is slow to anger but great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.
v.4 He rebukes the sea and dries it up; he makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither and the blossoms of Lebanon fade.
v.5 The mountains quake before him and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, the world and all who live in it.
v.6 Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before him.
[Note: Although He seems slow to get angry and act [see also 2 Pet 3:9] God WILL bring justice on the guilty in the form of destructive judgments. Thus none [however proud, we might imply] will be able to withstand Him when He has set His mind on justice being brought.]
v.7-10 The third thing: 3. God is good and a refuge for those who trust Him
v.7 The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,
v.8 but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.
v.9 Whatever they plot against the LORD he will bring to an end; trouble will not come a second time.
v.10 They will be entangled among thorns and drunk from their wine; they will be consumed like dry stubble.
[Note: The first thing is that those who turn to Him and trust Him will find He is a refuge. The second thing is that He will be a refuge against enemies and because Assyria has become an enemy He will bring down Nineveh, their capital. Note especially verse 8.]
PART TWO: v.11-15: About Nineveh’s Fall & Judah’s Freedom
v.11 Pride from a king [presumably] brings rebellion against God [the heart of sin]
v.11 From you, Nineveh, has one come forth who plots evil against the LORD and devises wicked plans.
v.12,13 The Lord Speaks to Judah: Judgment on Nineveh, Freedom for Judah
v.12 This is what the LORD says: “Although they have allies and are numerous, they will be destroyed and pass away. Although I have afflicted you, Judah, I will afflict you no more.
v.13 Now I will break their yoke from your neck and tear your shackles away.”
v.14 The Lord Speaks to Nineveh; Because of your idolatry, you will die
v.14 The LORD has given a command concerning you, Nineveh: “You will have no descendants to bear your name. I will destroy the images and idols that are in the temple of your gods. I will prepare your grave, for you are vile.”
v.15 The Lord speaks to Judah: Peace is coming so celebrate your festivals again
v.15 Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, Judah, and fulfill your vows. No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed.
[Note: The Lord moves on to confront Nineveh’s leader [the king] who has turned against God. He then turns back to Judah to reassure them that however strong Assyria and their various alliances may appear, He will destroy them and lift off the burden that they had been to Judah. He turns back to rebuke Nineveh, warning that the destruction against them, and all their idol worship, will be terminal. So He turns back to Judah and reassures them that peace is being declared over them and they will rest secure.]
[Additional Comments: The chapter does three things:
1. Extol the Lord who is jealous for His people [v.2] and who, although He appears to be slow in acting against enemies, will come and deliver Judah [v3-6], because He is a refuge for those who turn to Him and trust Him and He will deal with Nineveh [v.7-13].
2. Brings hope & encouragement to Judah saying how the Lord will remove their oppressor [v.8] and He will remove their shackles [v.12,13] so they may know peace and the freedom to celebrate their festivals without interruption once again [v.15].
3. Brings a severe warning to Nineveh that the Lord will destroy her with a great flood [v.8 – see Introduction] and He will do this because they have turned against Him [v.11] and turned to idol worship [v.14].
There is a remarkable clarity in purpose and detail here.]
For those who may wish to make a study of this chapter, to perhaps think some more about what you have been reading, use the link below: