Nahum 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him…
‘Good’ Hebrew Tobe, same word used in Genesis “and it was good” verses. pleasing, good, beautiful, correct, lovely, etc. Refers to practical or economic benefits, wisdom, aesthetic or sensual goodness, happiness.
‘times’ Hebrew Yom, day, number of days, year, lifetime.
‘Cares for’ Hebrew Yada, to know, understand, observe, intimate friendship, skill in playing an instrument or in hunting
‘trust in Him’ Hebrew HHaysayh, to flee for protection, seek refuge, confide in, hope in, reliable stronghold
Sully’s paraphrase:
the Lord is lovely, right, and good. He is a refuge in trouble no longer how long it lasts, and He is good friends and excellently handles those who hide and depend on Him.
the LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him…
He is this and more. When I have travelled overseas and seen the desperate state of some people, in a Burmese orphanage or in some wide open valley in Central Asia, I can see that God DOES care for those who trust in Him.
Think of a war. Do the people that are fighting each other know each other? No! They think of each other only in the most abstract ways. The Nazis pictured Jews as rats. The American slave traders didn’t call African slaves men but ‘boy.’ Men devalue their enemies so as to make it easier to come against them. But God KNOWS those who run to Him. He knows the name in an omniscient sense of those that war against Him. He does not want anyone to perish but for all to come to eternal life, but HE KNOWS those that are with Him. He KNOWS those that are hiding in Him for salvation, and not trying to fight against Him and do it their own way.
*keep that war idea in mind*
Nahum 1:15
“Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace!”
‘brings good news’ One Hebrew word, Baysar, to announce, bring good news, Often the news pertained to military encounters
‘peace’ Hebrew Shalom: to be safe, complete, tranquility, peace, comfort, Though shalom can mean the absence of strife, it usually signifies much more. It essentially denotes a satisfied condition, a state of peacefulness, a state of well being both internally and externally. It is used of a prosperous relationship between two parties.
So when we talk about the feet on the hills of one bringing good news, it isn’t just “hey, you won the lottery!” or some kind of happy thing to hear, it is “the battle is over.” Isn’t that what every one of our jobs has been since Calvary? THE BATTLE IS OVER! We can now have PEACE, completion, absence of strife and fulness of friendship with God, the creator of the universe. The good news is that the war is over, and God won. And though we were the enemies of God, fighting against Him, He was not fighting against us but against the forces of evil ruling us, and now has made Shalom with us!
I used to know a guy that wanted to re-write the Bible and put an exclamation point behind every sentence! This is definitely one of those sentences! It’s not just good news! It’s good news pertaining to war! Pertaining to a fight! Haven’t we all been there?! Haven’t we all been fighting against God enough, even in our Christian walk! The War is OVER!
Shalom! Be complete and whole! God won!