Nahum: Chapter 1 Part 1

Let's continue on with Nahum...

Verse 1:
This is an interesting title to a book, "Vision of Nahum". Does this mean that the Lord showed all of this to Nahum? Does Nahum have any connection with Nineveh like Jonah did (Jonah hated the Ninevites)?

Verse 2 - 8:
It is interesting to note how God is described in these verses. Our God avenges... revenges... reserves wrath... on who? His enemies... adversaries... those who has characteristics of making Him jealous and furious. This verse reminds me of another verse wherein it says something like "Do not take revenge because revenge is of the Lord's." Putting these two together, it seems Nineveh has done something terrible to someone (maybe His people) that is why God is unhappy and will take revenge for those who are oppressed.

Nahum goes on to be specific that the Lord will not acquit the wicked. (If God can punish a group of people for not following him or making him jealous, what can stop this God from punishing me?) Even the clouds, whirlwind and storm, mountains and seas and hills are but dust of His feet. (He has power over these since He is the Creator) Anyhow, God here is pictured to be supreme and powerful, able to take vengeance for Himself and His people. He continues by asking, "Who can stand His indignation?"(Indignation means righteous anger; It is not that God goes around being angry for nothing, but when He gets angry, surely there must be a reason.) No one can possibly endure it or stand against it.

But He is also pictured to be good and a stronghold for those who trust in Him. In verse 3, He is slow to anger. (This might probably mean that He forgave freely again and again, but the people still insist on having their own ways up to a point where He gave His judgment on Nineveh.) We see a God who is good/gracious yet great/mighty - able to forgive and save yet also able to bring judgment and revenge.

Questions:
1) Is this part of the vision of Nahum or just stating a fact that God is this kind of person/God who can do these things? Is this a warning to Nineveh before their destruction?

2) What do you mean by "The earth heaves at His presence, yes, the world and all who dwell in it"?

3) What are Bashan and Carmel? Are they rivers? What does the flower of Lebanon symbolize?

4) Since there is poetry in Nahum, are there any other things that are with hidden meaning? (Stuructures? repetitions?)