Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Nahum
Book: Nahum
Chapter: 1
Overview:
The
Justice and power of the
Lord.
(1-8) The overthrow of the
Assyrians.
(9-15)
1-8 About a hundred years before, at
Jonah's preaching, the
Ninevites repented, and were spared, yet, soon after, they
became worse than ever.
Nineveh knows not 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 here said 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 agrees not 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?
9-15 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 in vain. With some sinners
God makes quick despatch; and
one way or other, he will make an utter
End of all his enemies.
Though they are quiet, and many very secure, and not in fear,
they shall be cut down as
Grass and
Corn, when the destroying
Angel passes through.
God would hereby 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 shall be welcomed with
abundant joy. These words are applied to the great
Redemption
wrought out
By our
Lord Jesus and the
Everlasting Gospel, Ro
10:15.
Christ's ministers are messengers of good tidings, that
preach peace
By Jesus Christ. How welcome to those who see their
misery and danger
By Sin! And the promise they made in the
Day
of trouble must be made good. 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 never can enter, and
Sin and
Temptation will
No more be known.