The Power and Anger of God
Study note
Nahum opens with a dramatic description of God's character and power. The word 'burden' in verse 1 means a heavy message of judgment. In the ancient world, Nineveh was one of the largest and most powerful cities on earth, located along the Tigris River in what is now northern Iraq. The Assyrians had conquered Israel, the northern kingdom, in 722 BC and had terrorized Judah for over a century. Nahum declares that although God is patient, he will not let the wicked go unpunished forever.
1 This is the weighty message about the city of Nineveh. It is the vision given to Nahum from the town of Elkosh. The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
2 God burns with jealous love, and the LORD takes revenge on those who fight against him. He punishes his enemies and holds on to his anger against those who oppose him. 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 exceedingly patient, but his power is beyond measure. He never lets guilty people walk free. The LORD marches through hurricanes and thunderstorms, and the clouds are nothing more than dust kicked up by his feet. 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 shouts at the sea and it dries up. He drains every river. The lush pastures of Bashan and Carmel shrivel, and the blooming forests of Lebanon wilt. 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 Mountains tremble when he comes near. Hills melt like butter. The earth quakes at his presence — the entire world and everyone in it shakes. 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.
6 Who can stand firm when his anger erupts? Who can survive when his fury blazes? His wrath floods out like liquid fire, and solid rocks shatter before him. 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.
God Is Good to Those Who Trust Him
Study note
In the middle of describing God's fierce judgment, Nahum pauses to remind his listeners that God is also good and protective. For the people of Judah who had suffered under Assyrian cruelty, this was a deeply comforting promise. God would be their safe place in troubled times. But for Nineveh, the same God would bring total destruction, like a raging flood sweeping everything away.
7 The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who trust in him. The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
8 But he will sweep Nineveh away with an unstoppable flood. Darkness will hunt his enemies down. But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
Nineveh's Complete Downfall
Study note
Nahum now speaks directly about Nineveh's coming doom. The Assyrians had plotted against the Lord and his people many times. Assyrian kings like Sennacherib had even dared to mock the God of Israel during their military campaigns. The 'wicked counselor' in verse 11 likely refers to Sennacherib or the Assyrian leadership in general, who had schemed against God's people.
9 Whatever scheme you are hatching against the LORD — forget it. He will finish this off completely. He will not need to deal with you twice. What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.
10 Even though they are tangled together like thorn bushes and soaked in their own drink, they will be consumed like a pile of bone-dry straw. For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.
11 From Nineveh came someone who planned evil against the LORD — an adviser who pushed wicked plans. There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked counsellor.
A Promise of Freedom for Judah
Study note
God now speaks directly to both Judah and Assyria. To Judah, he promises that their suffering is almost over. The 'yoke' and 'bonds' in verse 13 refer to Assyria's control over Judah, which included heavy taxes and forced obedience. To Assyria, God promises that their name and their false gods will be destroyed. Verse 15 echoes Isaiah 52:7 and paints a picture of messengers running across the mountains to announce the wonderful news that Assyria has fallen and peace has come at last.
12 Here is the LORD's message: "Even though Assyria is strong and has massive armies, they will be mowed down and disappear. Judah, though I have let you suffer, your suffering is over now." 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 "Right now I am snapping the yoke Assyria placed on your neck. I am tearing off your chains." For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.
14 The LORD has declared this about you, Assyria: "Your family name will die out — no descendants will carry it on. I will smash the carved and metal idols in your temples. I will dig your grave, because you are worthless." 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 Look! Coming over the mountains — a messenger running with wonderful news, shouting, "Peace!" Go ahead and celebrate your festivals, Judah! Keep your promises to God! Your wicked enemy will never invade your land again — they have been completely wiped out. 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.