Nahum 1:2-8

Nahum 1:2-8

[2] God  is jealous,  revengeth;  and is furious;  will take vengeance  on his adversaries,  and he reserveth  wrath for his enemies.  [3] The LORD  is slow  to anger,  and great  and will not at all  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  and Carmel,  and the flower  of Lebanon  [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 abide  in the fierceness  of his anger?  his fury  is poured out  like fire,  and the rocks  are thrown down  [7] The LORD  is good,  a strong hold  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. 

What does Nahum 1:2-8 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

"The opening verses of Nahum form a prologue dominated by the revelation of God"s eternal power and divine nature in creation (cf. Romans 1:20). As in Romans 1:18-32, this revelation is characterized preeminently by God"s justice, expressed in retribution ( Nahum 1:2) and wrath ( Nahum 1:2-3; Nahum 1:6) that shake the entire creation ( Nahum 1:3-6)." [1]
Armerding made much of the similarities between this section and the Exodus event, God"s self-revelation at Mt. Sinai, His appearance to Elijah at Mt. Horeb, and parallels in Isaiah.
"The seventh-century minor prophets focused on the justice of God as exhibited in powerful judgment on an international scale." [2]
"In the Book of Psalm there are three types of Divine Warrior hymns: those sung before a battle, calling on God"s aid ( Psalm 7); those sung during a battle, focusing on the Lord"s protection ( Psalm 92); and those celebrating the victory God has won for his people ( Psalm 98). Nahum 1:2-8 bears a remarkable similarity to the last type of Psalm , the original function of which was to sing the praises of Israel"s Warrior God in the aftermath of a victory. What is significant, then, is the placement of Nahum"s Divine Warrior hymn. The victory is celebrated before the battle is actually waged. The victory of God against Nineveh is certain. So much Song of Solomon , that the prophet could utter the victory shout years before the battle [3]." [4]