Nahum 1:9 Commentary and Bible Study

‘What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end.’ Do you doubt this, says the prophet? What's going on in your mind about what the Lord will do? Do you think he cannot do it, or he will not follow through on what he has said he will do, or he will forget to do it? Will he change his mind? No, says Nahum; he will do it. Whatever you imagine, he will make an utter end. Affliction shall not rise up the second time. So it was, literally, for the children of Israel. Once Assyria was thrown down, once Nineveh fell, the people of God were never oppressed or attacked by her again. That empire never arose again, because they disobeyed God. Yes, opposition came from other sources, but never again from that source. It was an utter end. How sure and how trustworthy is the word of God! There appeared to be no possibility of such a powerful empire losing its dominance, being removed from its elevated position, releasing those nations who it ruled over. None of the nations around could stand up to it, and yet the word of God through the prophet Nahum, was like an unstoppable weapon that could not be withstood. That quiet word was more powerful than all the armies of Assyria. It worked in a way they could scarcely detect, and yet it came with devastating effect. God does not engage in half measures, in indecisive victories, in unconvincing triumphs. He leaves his enemies utterly defeated, and incapable of recovery.