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IIIM STUDY BIBLE
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Third Millennium Study Bible
Notes on Nahum 3:18-19

Sure: Despite Its Strength - Nahum 3:18-19

Nahum addresses the king of Assyria himself. Robertson says, "O King of Assyria, he says. Pay attention to me! Mine may be the voice of an unknown citizen in the least of your vassal states. But my words are truth, and therefore of more significance than all the missives sealed by dignitaries of state."

"Shepherds" (Nahum 3:18) is awell-known metaphor for rulers (cf. Jer. 17:16; Zech. 10:2-3) and here indicates the subordinate officials of the Assyrian king. These shepherds would "slumber" and "lie down to rest" - euphemisms referring to death or lying down on the job. The image of the shepherd is carried over to include that of the people as a flock ("scattered" and "gather"). R.L. Smith says, "His officers are asleep. This may mean that they are dead. At least they are deactivated. The people (or troops) are scattered as sheep on the mountains, and since the officers are the shepherds, they are unable to gather the people or troops together."

Nineveh's incurable "wound" and fatal "injury" (Nahum 3:19) would be received with applause by all but the Assyrians. The jealous and avenging God of Israel would finally put an end to the "endless cruelty" and wickedness that had caused suffering everywhere. The vision of Nahum had its initial fulfillment in 612 B.C., but it awaits its ultimate fulfillment at the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. See "The Final Judgment: Will I Be Judged?" below.

Once again, in this book we have seen magnificent scriptural truths that are consistent with the great cry of the Reformation:

Sola Fide (by faith alone)
Sola Scriptura (by Scripture alone)
Solus Christus (through Christ alone)
Sola Gratia (by grace alone)
Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God alone)

Related Resources

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