Nahum 1:6-10
Nahum 1:6
(KJB)
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.
If the earth and the mountains smoke and burn at God’s
presence, then what man thinks they are strong enough to stand before the Lord
and what man is able to survive the fierceness of his anger?
God’s fury will be poured out just as molten metal is poured into a mold
and just as the rains come down from the skies, God’s fury will affect
everything that it touches and in this case Nineveh will be the prime target of
the fury. Rocks are very strong and
used to build with but not even the strength of a rock will be able to withstand
the coming judgment of God. They
will be thrown down to the ground as if they were the dust of the earth.
This type of judgment was eventually experienced by Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
by divine decree.
Matthew 24:2 (KJV) And Jesus said unto
them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be
left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Nahum 1:7
(KJB)
The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble;
and he knoweth them that trust in him.
In the light of those who will stand for judgment, they
will be on their own when the day comes but those who know the Lord, that is,
those who are saved will be like being in a strong place where none of the
calamity will ever reach. The Lord
knows those he has chosen from the foundation of the world but those outside of
Christ, are not known by Christ.
Matthew 7:23 (KJV) And then will I
profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Just like on judgment day, those who never became saved will have to
depart from Christ since their sins were never paid for.
On the other hand, the Lord knows those that are his.
2 Timothy 2:19 (KJV) Nevertheless
the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them
that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from
iniquity. In Nineveh, God knows
who his people are and he will be their stronghold, akin to a fortified place,
once the judgment of God begins to fall on the Assyrians.
Proverbs
18:10 (KJV) The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into
it, and is safe.
Nahum 1:8
(KJB)
But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end
of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
The word for “overrunning” carries with the meaning of
“to pass over or pass through” denoting going from one place to another.
Here we see the prophecy that Nineveh will go from being a place of
prominence to a place which will be described by death.
This is what the darkness is referring to.
When Nineveh is finally overtaken, the inhabitants will be stalked by
death as they try to escape the judgment of God.
Just as Jonah could not escape his mission to Nineveh, the Ninevites will
be unable to escape the fires of God’s judgment upon them.
The word “utter” carries with it the meaning of “complete” and in this
case it is speaking about complete destruction.
Nahum 1:9
(KJB)
What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an
utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.
The word “imagine” carries with it the meaning of a plot.
This question which is aimed at the Assyrians is basically “Do you think
you can plot against the Lord and somehow be successful against his plans for
Nineveh? Then Nahum tells them that
the Lord is going to make an utter end which means a complete or total end to
them and it will be so complete the first time, that there will be no need for a
second time of judgment, that is how total the destruction will be.
Nahum 1:10
(KJB)
For while they be folden together as thorns, and while
they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.