©1997 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
God's Forgiveness of Sin
God's Forgiveness of Sin 1. God removes our sins as far as the east is from the west (Ps. 103:12) 2. God completely cleanses us from the stain of our sins (Isa. 1:18) 3. God throws our sins behind his back (Isa. 38:17) 4. God remembers our sins no more (Jer. 31:34) 5. God treads our sins underfoot (Mic. 7:19) 6. God casts our sins into the depths of the sea (Mic. 7:19) ©1997 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
MICAH—NOTE ON 7:10 Where is the Lord your God? Cf. Ps. 42:3, 10; Matt. 27:43.
MICAH—NOTE ON 7:11–13 Micah again spoke, recounting the many blessings awaiting the faithful remnant in Messiah's millennial rule. It would include unprecedented expansion (cf. Zech. 2:1–5) and massive infusion of immigrants (cf. Isa. 11:15–16). For those who defied Messiah's millennial rulership, their land would become desolate (Mic. 7:13; cf. Zech. 14:16–19).
MICAH—NOTE ON 7:14–17 Micah petitioned the Lord (v. 14) to shepherd, feed, and protect his people like a flock (cf. Ps. 23). The Lord answered, reiterating that he would demonstrate his presence and power among them as he did in the exodus from Egypt (Mic.7:15). As a result (cf. v. 10), the vaunted pride and power of the nations would be rendered powerless (cf. Josh. 2:9–11) and, having been humbled (Mic. 7:17), they would no longer listen to or engage in the taunting of his people (v. 16b; cf. Gen. 12:3; Isa. 52:15).
MICAH—NOTE ON 7:15 marvelous things. These miracles will be fulfilled in God's judgment on the earth which precedes the second advent of Messiah (cf. Rev. 6–19).
MICAH—NOTE ON 7:18–20 In response to the gracious, forgiving character displayed toward Israel by their Master, the repentant remnant of the people extolled his incomparable grace and mercy (cf. Ps. 130:3–4).
MICAH—NOTE ON 7:18 Who is a God like you . . . ? Micah began this final section with a play on words involving his name. See Introduction: Title.
MICAH—NOTE ON 7:20 sworn to our fathers. In spite of Israel's unfaithfulness to God, the Lord intends to fulfill his unconditional promises in the Abrahamic Covenant made with Abraham and confirmed with Isaac and Jacob (cf. Gen. 12; 15; 17; 22; 26; 28; 35). When enacted in conjunction with the Davidic Covenant, Israel will again be restored as a people and a nation to the land originally promised to Abraham. Jesus Christ, the ultimate descendant of David, will rule from Jerusalem over the world as King of kings and Lord of lords (cf. Rev. 17:14; 19:16).
Nahum
Nahum 1 • Nahum 2 • Nahum 3 Introduction to Nahum
Title Author and Date Background and Setting Historical and Theological Themes Interpretive Challenges Outline Footnotes Study Notes
Introduction to Nahum
Title
The book's title is taken from the prophet of God's oracle against Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. Nahum means "comfort" or "consolation" and is a short form of Nehemiah ("comfort of Yahweh"). Nahum is not quoted in the NT, although there may be an allusion to Nah. 1:15 in Rom. 10:15 (cf. Isa. 52:7).
Author and Date
The significance of the writing prophets was not their personal lives; it was their message. Thus, background information about the prophet from within the prophecy is rare. Occasionally one of the historical books will shed additional light. In the case of Nahum, nothing is provided except that he was an Elkoshite (1:1), referring either to his birthplace or his place of ministry. Attempts to identify the location of Elkosh have been unsuccessful. Suggestions include Al Qosh, situated in northern Iraq (thus Nahum would have been a descendant of the exiles taken to Assyria in 722 B.C.), Capernaum ("town of Nahum"), or a location in southern Judah (cf. 1:15). His birthplace or locale is not significant to the interpretation of the book.
With no mention of any kings in the introduction, the date of Nahum's prophecy must be implied by historical data. The message of judgment against Nineveh portrays a nation of strength, intimating a time not only prior to her fall in 612
B.C. but probably before the death of Ashurbanipal in 626 B.C., after which Assyria's power fell rapidly. Nahum's mention of the fall of Thebes (3:8–10), in 663 B.C. (at the hands of Ashurbanipal) appears to be fresh in their minds and there is no mention of the rekindling that occurred ten years later, suggesting a mid-seventh-century-B.C. date during the reign of Manasseh (c. 695–642 B.C.; cf. 2 Kings 21:1–18).
Background and Setting
A century after Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah, she returned to idolatry, violence, and arrogance (3:1–4). Assyria was at the height of her power,
having recovered from Sennacherib's defeat (701 B.C.) at Jerusalem (cf. Isa. 37:36–38). Her borders extended all the way into Egypt. Esarhaddon had recently transplanted conquered peoples into Samaria and Galilee in 670 B.C. (cf. 2 Kings 17:24; Ezra 4:2), leaving Syria and Palestine very weak. But God brought Nineveh down under the rising power of Babylon's king Nabopolassar and his son, Nebuchadnezzar (c. 612 B.C.). Assyria's demise turned out just as God had prophesied.
Historical and Theological Themes
Nahum forms a sequel to the book of Jonah, who prophesied over a century earlier. Jonah recounts the remission of God's promised judgment toward Nineveh, while Nahum depicts the later execution of God's judgment. Nineveh was proud of her invulnerable city, with her walls reaching 100 feet high and with a moat 150 feet wide and 60 feet deep; but Nahum established the fact that the sovereign God (Nah. 1:2–5) would bring vengeance upon those who violated his law (1:8, 14; 3:5–7). The same God had a retributive judgment against evil which is also redemptive, bestowing his loving kindnesses upon the faithful (cf. 1:7, 12–13, 15; 2:2). The prophecy brought comfort to Judah and all who feared the cruel Assyrians. Nahum said Nineveh would end "with an overflowing flood" (1:8); and it happened when the Tigris River overflowed to destroy enough of the walls to let the Babylonians through. Nahum also predicted that the city would be hidden (3:11). After its destruction in 612 B.C., the site was not rediscovered until 1842 A.D.
Interpretive Challenges
Apart from the uncertain identity of Elkosh (cf. Introduction: Author and Date), the prophecy presents no real interpretive difficulties. The book is a straightforward prophetic announcement of judgment against Assyria and her capital Nineveh for cruel atrocities and idolatrous practices.
Outline
I. Superscription (1:1) II. Destruction of Nineveh Declared (1:2–15)
A. God's Power Illustrated (1:2–8)
B. God's Punishment Stated (1:9–15) III. Destruction of Nineveh Detailed (2:1–13)
A. The City is Assaulted (2:1–10)
B. The City is Discredited (2:11–13) IV. Destruction of Nineveh Demanded (3:1–19)
A. The First Charge (3:1–3)
B. The Second Charge (3:4–7) C. The Third Charge (3:8–19)
Nahum
NAHUM 1 †An oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum of Elkosh.
God's Wrath Against Nineveh
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. 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. 4†He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; he dries up all the rivers; Bashan and Carmel wither;
the bloom of Lebanon withers. 5†The mountains quake before him; the hills melt; the earth heaves before him,
the world and all who dwell in it. 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. 7†The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. 8†But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, [1] and will pursue his enemies into darkness. 9‡†What do you plot against the LORD? He will make a complete end; trouble will not rise up a second time. 10For they are like entangled thorns, like drunkards as they drink; they are consumed like stubble fully dried. 11†From you came one who plotted evil against the LORD, a worthless counselor. 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. 13And now I will break his yoke from off you and will burst your bonds apart." 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." 15† [2] 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.
The Destruction of Nineveh
NAHUM 2 ‡†The scatterer has come up against you.
Man the ramparts; watch the road; dress for battle; [1]
collect all your strength. 2†For the LORD is restoring the majesty of Jacob as the majesty of Israel, for plunderers have plundered them and ruined their branches. 3†The shield of his mighty men is red; his soldiers are clothed in scarlet. The chariots come with flashing metal on the day he musters them;
the cypress spears are brandished. 4†The chariots race madly through the streets; they rush to and fro through the squares; they gleam like torches; they dart like lightning. 5†He remembers his officers; they stumble as they go, they hasten to the wall;
the siege tower [2] is set up. 6†The river gates are opened; the palace melts away; 7†its mistress [3] is stripped; [4] she is carried off, her slave girls lamenting, moaning like doves
and beating their breasts. 8†Nineveh is like a pool whose waters run away. [5] "Halt! Halt!" they cry,
but none turns back. 9†Plunder the silver, plunder the gold! There is no end of the treasure or of the wealth of all precious things. 10†Desolate! Desolation and ruin! Hearts melt and knees tremble; anguish is in all loins; all faces grow pale! 11‡Where is the lions' den, the feeding place of the young lions, where the lion and lioness went, where his cubs were, with none to disturb? 12The lion tore enough for his cubs and strangled prey for his lionesses; he filled his caves with prey and his dens with torn flesh.
13†Behold, I am against you, declares the LORD of hosts, and I will burn your [6] chariots in smoke, and the sword shall devour your young lions. I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers shall no longer be
heard.
Woe to Nineveh
NAHUM 3 ‡†Woe to the bloody city, all full of lies and plunder— no end to
the prey! 2‡The crack of the whip, and rumble of the wheel, galloping horse and bounding chariot! 3Horsemen charging, flashing sword and glittering spear, hosts of slain, heaps of corpses, dead bodies without end—
they stumble over the bodies! 4†And all for the countless whorings of the prostitute, graceful and of deadly charms, who betrays nations with her whorings, and peoples with her charms. 5‡Behold, I am against you, declares the LORD of hosts, and will lift up your skirts over your face; and I will make nations look at your nakedness and kingdoms at your shame. 6I will throw filth at you and treat you with contempt and make you a spectacle. 7†And all who look at you will shrink from you and say, Wasted is Nineveh; who will grieve for her? Where shall I seek comforters for you? 8‡Are you better than Thebes [1] that sat by the Nile, with water around her,
her rampart a sea, and water her wall? 9†Cush was her strength; Egypt too, and that without limit; Put and the Libyans were her [2] helpers. 10Yet she became an exile; she went into captivity; her infants were dashed in pieces at the head of every street; for her honored men lots were cast, and all her great men were bound in
chains. 11†You also will be drunken; you will go into hiding; you will seek a refuge from the enemy. 12‡All your fortresses are like fig trees with first-ripe figs— if shaken they fall into the mouth of the eater. 13Behold, your troops are women in your midst.
The gates of your land
are wide open to your enemies; fire has devoured your bars. 14‡Draw water for the siege; strengthen your forts; go into the clay;
tread the mortar; take hold of the brick mold! 15There will the fire devour you; the sword will cut you off. It will devour you like the locust. Multiply yourselves like the locust; multiply like the grasshopper! 16†You increased your merchants more than the stars of the heavens. The locust spreads its wings and flies away. 17†Your princes are like grasshoppers, your scribes [3] like clouds of locusts settling on the fences in a day of cold— when the sun rises, they fly away; no one knows where they are. 18‡†Your shepherds are asleep, O king of Assyria; your nobles slumber. Your people are scattered on the mountains with none to gather them. 19There is no easing your hurt; your wound is grievous. All who hear the news about you clap their hands over you. For upon whom has not come
your unceasing evil?
Footnotes
Footnotes for Nahum, Chapter 1
[1] 1:8 Hebrew of her place
[2] 1:15 Ch 2:1 in Hebrew
Footnotes for Nahum, Chapter 2
[1] 2:1 Hebrew gird your loins
[2] 2:5 Or the mantelet
[3] 2:7 The meaning of the Hebrew word rendered its mistress is uncertain [4]
2:7 Or exiled
[5] 2:8 Compare Septuagint; the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain [6] 2:13
Hebrew her
Footnotes for Nahum, Chapter 3
[1] 3:8 Hebrew No-amon
[2] 3:9 Hebrew your
[3] 3:17 Or marshals