The LORD Slow in Anger and Great in Power Nahum 1:3

As Nahum began his book of prophesy, he declared his “vision” and “the burden of Nineveh” . He shared how “God is jealous, revenges and is furious”, and he wrote how “the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries” for whom His “wrath” is “served for his enemies”. In chapter one and verse three of his prophesy, Nahum shares how “the LORD is slow to anger” and “great in power” where we read:

The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

The verse begins, “The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked:” Nahum began with the words, “The LORD” which refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the one true God” “is slow” or literally “long-winged” which means“long-suffering and patient” “to anger” which means “wrath with the nostrils, forehead, face and countenance wrinkled”, “and great” or “” “in power” which means “large in intensity, number, importance and loudness”, “and will not at all” which is the Hebrew word “naqah” “be empty, clear, pure, innocent, clean, desolate and cut off” “acquit” which again is the Hebrew word “naqah” which means “be empty, clear, pure, innocent, clean, desolate and cut off” “the wicked” which refers to “evil and immoral ones”. The LORD was very patient with the people in Nineveh, and because they turned against Him, He declared with emphasis how they would not be “innocent and clean” from their “wickedness”.

The verse continues, “the LORD has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.” Nahum began with the words “the LORD” or “Yehovah or Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the one true God” “has his way” which means “journey, direction, manner, habit and course of life” “in the whirlwind” which means “storm-wind and tempest” “and in the storm” or “hurricane”, “and the clouds” which refers to “cloudy mass of theophanic clouds such as the nimbus or thunder-clouds” “are the dust” which means “ground and powder” “of his feet” or “the feet of the body including the toes”. The “whirlwind, storms and clouds” are the result of the LORD's feet making His way in judgment against His foes.

When we think through these words of Nahum, we realize the patience the LORD has for those who oppose Him. We also see that He will eventually bring powerful “vengeance” upon them should they continue against Him for too long. It is interesting that Nahum mentions “the whirlwind” or “hurricane” and “storms” and “theophanic or nimbus thunder-clouds” as the result of God making His way. Though this may be a reference to “spiritual” judgment, He may carry judgment out physically within the skies. Perhaps we, personally or as a country, shall see His judgment fall if we reject His ways and His Son Jesus in perpetuity. May all who read take heed of the example of the judgment that fell upon Nineveh as they walked in “continual wickedness” before Him.

Next time we see how God affects the “seas” and the “rivers”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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