Nahum 1:1-15 - G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

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Bible Comments

The prophet preceded the announcement of a verdict of vengeance by a section dealing wholly with Jehovah Himself. As to His character, He is a God of vengeance, and yet the central fact of His nature is that He is slow to anger.

Under the figure of a storm the prophet set forth the overwhelming majesty of Jehovah. The description of the storm moves in two sections: a hurricane on the sea, a simoon over the land.

He finally described the method of God: toward His friends He is "good, a stronghold"; for His foes, "He will make a full end."

Addressing himself to Nineveh, the prophet inquired, 'What do ye imagine against the Lord?" This hints at the deepest sin of Nineveh, namely, that she had set herself up wilfully against the power of God. In answer to his own question, Nahum affirmed the irresistible nature of the judgment which must fall on the city, and finally made his central charge against her, "There is one gone forth out of thee, that imagineth evil against the Lord, that counselleth wickedness." This charge, in all probability, referred to the blasphemous boasts of Sennacherib, chronicled in Isaiah 36:18-20; Isaiah 37:10-13. As other prophets had summoned the nations to attend to God's controversy with Israel, Nahum addressed himself to the chosen people, declaring that the yoke of Assyria would be broken.

The last word in this first section was addressed to Judah. The verdict of vengeance on Nineveh was an evangel to Judah.

Related Commentaries of Nahum 1:1

Nahum 1:1-15

1 The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

2 Goda 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.

6 Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abideb 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 holdc 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.

9 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 wickedd counsellor.

12 Thus saith the LORD; Though they be quiet,e 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, keepf thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.