Nahum 2:1-2
The watchmen of Nineveh shout:
An enemy who will scatter you is marching out to attack you!
Guard the rampart!
Watch the road!
Prepare yourselves for battle!
Muster your mighty strength!
The pronouncement against Nineveh gets more specific in chapter two after chapter one's more sweeping statements pertaining to God's justice and mercy. Now, the hammer of justice is about to fall and Nineveh can see it coming!
The first remark in the NET seems a bit odd to me, The watchmen of Nineveh shout, considering the 5 lines that follow.
According to the NET notes for verse 1, The introductory phrase “The watchmen of Nineveh shout” is not in the Hebrew text, but has been supplied from the context for clarity.
Perhaps, if it was rendered this way, it would make more sense?
An enemy who will scatter you is marching out to attack you!
Thus, your watchman should shout:
Guard the rampart!
Watch the road!
Prepare yourselves for battle!
Muster your mighty strength!
For the Lord will restore the majesty of Jacob, as well as the majesty of Israel, though their enemies have plundered them and have destroyed their fields.
NET
And so indeed, Israel/Jacob would be restored and those who had plundered the people of God will get their comeuppance which will be further described in the next parts of chapter 2.
I took a look at Harper's Bible Commentary for some analysis of Nahum. They too point out that Nahum portrays a fearsome God. They also point out that Nahum should be read in light of Jonah that is also about God and Nineveh.
We have all heard the story of Jonah being swallowed by a fish. What you may not know is that Jonah eventually went to Nineveh to tell them to repent or God is going to judge them. And, indeed, the people of Nineveh did repent and God spared them.
Thus, if one reads both Jonah and Nahum in sequence, one would have a clear picture that God doesn't just blast people without giving them a chance to change their ways. Indeed, it would seem Nineveh did turn back once before but by the time of Nahum, they had slipped back into wickedness and God's justice came back to the forefront.
Lord, you are both merciful and just. Those who have turned their back on your mercy have decided they want to face your justice. I pray thy kingdom come. I trust in your timing. As you delay, I ask that your call of repentance, your patient mercy and your gracious desire for reconciliation will be responded to. Amen.
