Nahum 1

For God

Nahum 1:1-15

Nahum 1:2

The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and wrathful; the LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. (use)

Nahum 1:1

An oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum of Elkosh. (use)

Nahum and Zephaniah both prophesied after Isaiah and Micah finished prophesying. Isaiah prophesied between about 740-680 B.C. Nahum may have prophesied from about 660-650 B.C. Zephaniah probably prophesied between 640 and 612 B.C. Jonah, Hosea (both from Israel), and Amos, Isaiah, and Micah (from Judah) were all eighth-century B.C. prophets. Nahum, Zephaniah, Habakkuk, and Jeremiah were all seventh-century B.C. prophets. The dating of Obadiah and Joel is not as easy to pin down.

Constable, T., 2022. Expository Notes.
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Nahum's prophecy was the complement to Jonah, for whereas Jonah celebrated God's mercy, Nahum marked the relentless march of the judgment of God against all sinners world-wide.

Kaiser Jr, W.C., 1991. Toward Old Testament Ethics. pg. 221
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Earlier, Jonah had brought a message to Nineveh which revealed the love of God, and now the message of the Book of Nahum reveals the justice of God—the two go together.

McGee, J., 1983. Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee. pg. 815
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Jonah 3:10

When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. (use)

Nahum 1:2

The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and wrathful; the LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies. (use)

"Theologically, for instance, we know that God is beyond our gender determinations, God is not human," Jackelén said.

Archbishop Antje Jackelén. 2017. in (AP. 2017. Church of Sweden to stop referring to God as he or Lord)
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Exodus 20:5

You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, (use)

Psalm 92:9

For behold, your enemies, O LORD, for behold, your enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered. (use)

Nahum 1:3

The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. (use)

The most fundamental characteristic of this mysterious God is that we cannot say anything concrete about him.

Harari, Y.N., 2018. 21 Lessons for the 21st Century. 197
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The most fundamental characteristic of this worldly lawgiver is that we can say extremely concrete things about him. This is the God of the crusaders and jihadists, of the inquisitors, the misogynists and the homophobes.

Harari, Y.N., 2018. 21 Lessons for the 21st Century. 198
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Exodus 34:6

The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, (use)

Because God is different from us, we can have hope even in the face of our stumbling.

Allen, M., 2018. A Good Mystery. Tabletalk April 2018.
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Nahum 1:4

He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; he dries up all the rivers; Bashan and Carmel wither; the bloom of Lebanon withers. (use)

Jonah 1:4

But the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. (use)

Isaiah 51:10

Was it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over? (use)

Psalm 106:9

He rebuked the Red Sea, and it became dry, and he led them through the deep as through a desert. (use)

Exodus 14:21

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. (use)

Nahum 1:5

The mountains quake before him; the hills melt; the earth heaves before him, the world and all who dwell in it. (use)

Jeremiah 4:24

I looked on the mountains, and behold, they were quaking, and all the hills moved to and fro. (use)

Habakkuk 3:6

He stood and measured the earth; he looked and shook the nations; then the eternal mountains were scattered; the everlasting hills sank low. His were the everlasting ways. (use)

The perfect wisdom of our God, Revealed in all the universe: All things created by His hand, And held together at His command. He knows the mysteries of the seas, The secrets of the stars are His; He guides the planets on their way, And turns the earth through another day.

Getty, K., 2010. The Perfect Wisdom of Our God.
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Nahum 1:6

Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken into pieces by him. (use)

Malachi 3:2

But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. (use)

Though God then is armed with vengeance against his enemies he yet ceases not to be like himself, nor does he forget his goodness.

Calvin, J., 1555. Commentary.
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Nahum 1:7

The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. (use)

Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (use)

Nahum 1:8

But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness. (use)

Genesis 6:17

For behold, I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything that is on the earth shall die. (use)

Nahum 1:9

What do you plot against the LORD? He will make a complete end; trouble will not rise up a second time. (use)

But, amid this mass of evil, one thing was eminent, in direct antagonism to God. The character is very special. It is not simply of rebellion against God, or neglect of Him. It is a direct disputation of His Sovereignty. Twice the prophet repeats the characteristic expression, "What will ye devise against the Lord?" "devising evil against the Lord;" and adds, "counselor of evil".

Barnes, A., 1884. Albert Barnes Notes on the Whole Bible.
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Nahum 1:10

For they are like entangled thorns, like drunkards as they drink; they are consumed like stubble fully dried. (use)

Note the fact that Nahum scarcely mentions his own nation. The reason for this is clear. He does not exult in Nineveh's downfall merely for Judah's sake, or for his own. Nineveh had sold whole peoples by her whoredoms and witchcrafts. Nahum voices the outraged conscience of mankind.

Baxter, J.S., 2010. Baxter's Explore the Book. 4:202
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Nahum 1:11

From you came one who plotted evil against the LORD, a worthless counselor. (use)

Proverbs 21:30

No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD. (use)

Isaiah 64:6

We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. (use)

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (use)

Nahum 1:12

Thus says the LORD, "Though they are at full strength and many, they will be cut down and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more." (use)

Beside the wrath of God, all other human dreads and fears are mere bad dreams.

Milne, B., 1982. Know the Truth: A Handbook of Christian Belief. 106
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Nahum 1:13

And now I will break his yoke from off you and will burst your bonds apart.” (use)

This doctrine of god's judgement should not be an embarrassment to the church. It is not simply a negative doctrine. It is profoundly positive.

Wells, D.F., 2008. The Courage to be Protestant.
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Nahum 1:14

The LORD has given commandment about you: "No more shall your name be perpetuated; from the house of your gods I will cut off the carved image and the metal image. I will make your grave, for you are vile." (use)

There is no Fortress that is any Defence from the Power of God. Tho' Hand join in Hand, and vast Multitudes of God’s Enemies combine and associate themselves, they are easily broken in Pieces: They are as great Heaps of light Chaff before the Whirlwind; or large Quantities of dry Stubble before devouring Flames.

Edwards, J., 1741. Sinners in the hands of an angry God.
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Unbelievers' most essential problem is not that they're ignorant, apathetic, or rudderless, but that they've personally, willfully, and happily rebelled against the God who made them. Their most inexorable enemy is not intellectual finitude or the ennui of life in the modern world, but what stares back at them in the mirror as they wordlessly brush their teeth. If this is true—and the Scriptures say that it is—then what unbelievers must concern themselves with is nothing less than escaping the just judgment of God.

Duke, A., 2019. You're So Depraved, You Probably Think This Church Is About You: How Total Depravity Upends Attractionalism.
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But the love of God does not rest with the curse that hangs over all sinful humanity. He is not content to show wrath, no matter how holy it is.

Piper, J., 2004. Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die.
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Nahum 1:15

Behold, upon the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace! Keep your feasts, O Judah; fulfill your vows, for never again shall the worthless pass through you; he is utterly cut off. (use)

In Christ alone My solid ground Amazing grace How sweet the sound On that rugged cross Jesus paid it all Because He lives This is my song

Balltzglier, H., 2022. This Is My Song.
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Isaiah 52:7

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." (use)

Therefore, Christ’s supreme achievement on the cross is that He placated the wrath of God, which would burn against us were we not covered by the sacrifice of Christ.

Sproul, R.C., 2007. The Truth of the Cross.
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Titus 2:11

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, (use)

A gospel conversation must needs be a godly conversation, expressing our love and fear and reverence of God, our hope and trust and confidence in him, as manifested in his Son.

Henry, M., 1896. Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible. UK. Titus
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Romans 10:14

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? (use)

Romans 10:15

And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (use)

In Jesus you discover grace sufficient for you, grace to hold you up to the end, and a sure promise that sin shall soon be rooted out all together. "Fear not, I have redeemed thee. I have called thee by My name; thou art Mine."

Bonar, A., 2016. Memoir and Remains of the Rev. Robert Murray M'Cheyne.
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You may have your own personal idea of God, but does God have his own personal idea of you? Because that's what matters. Whether he's an old man with a white beard sitting in the sky, or a life force, or a disinterested prime mover, or a clockmaker, or a woman, or a nebulous moral force, or nothing at all, what counts is what he, she, it or nothing thinks of you rather than you of them.

Barnes, J., 2008. Nothing to be Frightened of. 45
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Topics and Themes

Key Verse

Nahum 1:6

Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken into pieces by him. (use)