Module 30: The Failure of Human Teaching - God's Activities
Nahum - Vindication of Vengeance; and Habakkuk - The Problems of Faith; and Zephaniah - The Severity and Goodness of God
Nahum Chapter 1
PART A: VERDICT OF VENGEANCE - 1:1-1:15
A.1. Subject and Method - 1:1
1 A revelation about Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
A.2. Jehovah - 1:2-1:8
2 The LORD is a jealous God and avenges. The LORD avenges and is full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries, and he maintains wrath against his enemies.
3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. The LORD has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
4 He rebukes the sea, and makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers. Bashan languishes, and Carmel; and the flower of Lebanon languishes.
5 The mountains quake before him, and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, yes, the world, and all who dwell in it.
6 Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the fierceness of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken apart by him.
7 The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who take refuge in him.
8 But with an overflowing flood, he will make a full end of her place, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.
A.3. The Verdict - 1:9-1:14
9 What do you plot against the LORD? He will make a full end. Affliction won't rise up the second time.
10 For entangled like thorns, and drunken as with their drink, they are consumed utterly like dry stubble.
11 There is one gone out of you, who devises evil against the LORD, who counsels wickedness.
12 The LORD says: "Though they be in full strength, and likewise many, even so they will be cut down, and he shall pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more.
13 Now I will break his yoke from off you, and will burst your bonds apart."
14 The LORD has commanded concerning you: "No more descendants will bear your name. Out of the house of your gods, I will cut off the engraved image and the molten image. I will make your grave, for you are vile."
A.4. The Cry to Jerusalem - 1:15
15 Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace! Keep your feasts, Judah! Perform your vows, for the wicked one will no more pass through you. He is utterly cut off.
Footnotes
- Verse 2 (LORD)
- When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, "LORD" or "GOD" is the translation of God's Proper Name.
- Verse 2 (God)
- The Hebrew word rendered "God" is Elohim.
- Verse 15 (Behold)
- "Behold" means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.