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TN_12_MacArthur_Bible_Dec.qxd 8/8/03 17:34 Page 1286

DECEMBER 22

December 22
1:11 wicked counselor. The phrase, literally,
“counselor of Belial,” suggests satanic influ-
Nahum 1:1–3:19 ence on the leadership, identified as the king
of Assyria (3:18).Specific reference could be to
The burden against Nineveh. The book of Ashurbanipal (669–633 B.C.) or more likely to
1 the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
Sennacherib (705–681 B.C.), who invaded
2 God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; Judah in 701 B.C. and of whom Isaiah speaks in
The LORD avenges and is furious. similar language (Is. 10:7).
The LORD will take vengeance on His
adversaries,
13 For now I will break off his yoke
And He reserves wrath for His enemies;
The LORD is slow to anger and great
3 from you,
in power, And burst your bonds apart.”
And will not at all acquit the wicked. 14 The LORD has given a command
concerning you:
The LORD has His way
In the whirlwind and in the storm, “Your name shall be perpetuated
And the clouds are the dust of His feet. no longer.
4 He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, Out of the house of your gods
And dries up all the rivers. I will cut off the carved image and the
Bashan and Carmel wither, molded image.
And the flower of Lebanon wilts. I will dig your grave,
The mountains quake before Him,
5 For you are vile.”
The hills melt, 15 Behold, on the mountains
And the earth heaves at His presence, The feet of him who brings good tidings,
Yes, the world and all who dwell in it. Who proclaims peace!
6 Who can stand before His indignation? O Judah, keep your appointed feasts,
And who can endure the fierceness of Perform your vows.
His anger? For the wicked one shall no more pass
His fury is poured out like fire, through you;
And the rocks are thrown down by Him. He is utterly cut off.
The LORD is good, 2
7 He who scatters has come up before
A stronghold in the day of trouble; your face.
And He knows those who trust in Him. Man the fort!
8 But with an overflowing flood Watch the road!
He will make an utter end of its place, Strengthen your flanks!
And darkness will pursue His enemies. Fortify your power mightily.
9 What do you conspire against the LORD? 2 For the LORD will restore the
He will make an utter end of it. excellence of Jacob
Affliction will not rise up a second time. Like the excellence of Israel,
10
For while tangled like thorns, For the emptiers have emptied them out
And while drunken like drunkards, And ruined their vine branches.
They shall be devoured like stubble
3 The shields of his mighty men are
fully dried.
11 From you comes forth one made red,
Who plots evil against the LORD, The valiant men are in scarlet.
A wicked counselor. The chariots come with flaming torches
In the day of his preparation,
Thus says the LORD: And the spears are brandished.
12
4 The chariots rage in the streets,
“Though they are safe, and likewise many,
Yet in this manner they will be cut down They jostle one another in the broad
When he passes through. roads;
Though I have afflicted you, They seem like torches,
I will afflict you no more; They run like lightning.

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