Matthew Henry Commentary Nahum 1
Matthew Henry Commentary
Nahum 1
Matthew Henry Commentary
Nahum 1
"The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. Jehovah is a jealous God and avengeth; Jehovah avengeth and is full of wrath; Jehovah taketh vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth [wrath] for his enemies. Jehovah is slow to anger, and great in power, and will by no means clear [the guilty]: Jehovah hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel; and the flower of Lebanon languisheth. The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt; and the earth is upheaved at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein. Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken asunder by him. Jehovah is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that take refuge in him. But with an over-running flood he will make a full end of her place, and will pursue his enemies into darkness." — Nahum 1:1-8 (ASV)
About a hundred years before, at Jonah's preaching, the Ninevites repented and were spared; yet, soon after, they became worse than ever. Nineveh does not know that God who contends with her, but is told what a God he is. It is good for all to mix faith with what is said here concerning him, which speaks great terror to the wicked and comfort to believers.
Let each take his portion from it: let sinners read it and tremble; and let saints read it and triumph. The anger of the Lord is contrasted with his goodness to his people. Perhaps they are obscure and little regarded in the world, but the Lord knows them.
The Scripture character of Jehovah does not agree with the views of proud reasoners. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is slow to wrath and ready to forgive, but he will by no means acquit the wicked; and there is tribulation and anguish for every soul that doeth evil. But who duly regards the power of his wrath?
"What do ye devise against Jehovah? he will make a full end; affliction shall not rise up the second time. For entangled like thorns, and drunken as with their drink, they are consumed utterly as dry stubble. There is one gone forth out of thee, that deviseth evil against Jehovah, that counselleth wickedness. Thus saith Jehovah: Though they be in full strength, and likewise many, even so shall they be cut down, and he shall pass away. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more. And now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder. And Jehovah hath given commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image; I will make thy grave; for thou art vile. Behold, upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! Keep thy feasts, O Judah, perform thy vows; for the wicked one shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off." — Nahum 1:9-15 (ASV)
There is a great deal plotted against the Lord by the gates of hell, and against his kingdom in the world, but it will prove to be in vain. With some sinners God acts quickly; and one way or another, he will make an utter end of all his enemies. Though they are quiet, and many very secure and without fear, they will be cut down like grass and grain when the destroying angel passes through.
God would thus work great deliverance for his own people. But those who make themselves vile by scandalous sins, God will make vile by shameful punishments. The tidings of this great deliverance will be welcomed with abundant joy. These words are applied to the great redemption accomplished by our Lord Jesus and the everlasting gospel (Romans 10:15). Christ's ministers are messengers of good tidings, who preach peace by Jesus Christ. How welcome to those who see their misery and danger by sin!
And the promises they made in the day of trouble must be fulfilled. Let us be thankful for God's ordinances and gladly attend them. Let us look forward with cheerful hope to a world where the wicked can never enter, and sin and temptation will no longer be known.
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