Study Desk

The seers will be put to shame, the diviners will be disgraced. They will have to cover their mouths, because there will be no answer from God.

Many Gentiles will go and say, "Come, let's go up to the mountain of Adonai , to the house of the God of Ya‘akov! He will teach us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths." For out of Tziyon will go forth Torah, the word of Adonai from Yerushalayim.

For all the peoples will walk, each in the name of its god; but we will walk in the name of Adonai our God forever and ever.

He will stand and feed his flock in the strength of Adonai , in the majesty of the name of Adonai his God; and they will stay put, as he grows great to the very ends of the earth;

class="poetry"> But you, Beit-Lechem near Efrat, so small among the clans of Y'hudah, out of you will come forth to me the future ruler of Isra'el, whose origins are far in the past, back in ancient times. Therefore he will give up [Isra'el] only until she who is in labor gives birth. Then the rest of his kinsmen will return to the people of Isra'el. He will stand and feed his flock in the strength of Adonai , in the majesty of the name of Adonai his God; and they will stay put, as he grows great to the very ends of the earth; and this will be peace. If Ashur invades our land, if he overruns our fortresses, we will raise seven shepherds against him, eight leaders of men. They will shepherd the land of Ashur with the sword, the land of Nimrod at its gates; and he will rescue us from Ashur when he invades our land, when he overruns our borders. Then the remnant of Ya‘akov, surrounded by many peoples, will be like dew from Adonai , like showers on the grass, which doesn't wait for a man or expect anything from mortals. The remnant of Ya‘akov among the nations, surrounded by many peoples, will be like a lion among forest animals, like a young lion among flocks of sheep — if it passes through, tramples and tears to pieces, there is no one to rescue them. Your hand will be raised over your enemies; all your adversaries will be destroyed. "When that day comes," says Adonai , "I will cut off your horses from among you and destroy your chariots. I will cut off the cities of your land and lay waste your strongholds. I will cut off sorceries from your land; you will no longer have soothsayers. I will cut off your carved images and standing-stones from among you; no longer will you worship what your own hands have made. I will pull up your sacred poles from among you and destroy your enemies. I will wreak vengeance in anger and fury on the nations, because they would not listen."

"With what can I come before Adonai to bow down before God on high? Should I come before him with burnt offerings? with calves in their first year?

Human being, you have already been told what is good, what Adonai demands of you — no more than to act justly, love grace and walk in purity with your God.

But as for me, I will look to Adonai , I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.

My enemies will see it too, and shame will cover those who said to me, "Where is Adonai your God?" I will gloat over them, as they are trampled underfoot like mud in the streets.

They will lick the dust like snakes; they will emerge from their fortresses trembling like reptiles that crawl about on the earth; they will come with fear to Adonai our God, afraid because of you.

Who is a God like you, pardoning the sin and overlooking the crimes of the remnant of his heritage? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in grace.

Adonai is a jealous and vengeful God. Adonai avenges; he knows how to be angry. Adonai takes vengeance on his foes and stores up wrath for his enemies.

Adonai gave this order concerning you: you will have no descendants to bear your name; from the house of your god I will cut off carved image and cast metal image; I will prepare your grave, because you are worthless."

This is a prophecy about Ninveh, the book of the vision of Nachum the Elkoshi: Adonai is a jealous and vengeful God. Adonai avenges; he knows how to be angry. Adonai takes vengeance on his foes and stores up wrath for his enemies. Adonai is slow to anger, but great in power; and he does not leave the guilty unpunished. Adonai 's path is in the whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebukes the sea and leaves it dry, he dries up all the rivers. Bashan and the Karmel languish; the flower of the L'vanon withers. The mountains quake before him, and the hills dissolve; the earth collapses in his presence, the world and everyone living in it. Who can withstand his fury? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, the rocks broken to pieces before him. Adonai is good, a stronghold in time of trouble; he takes care of those who take refuge in him. But with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of [Ninveh's] place, and darkness will pursue his enemies. What are you planning against Adonai ? He is making an end [of it]; trouble will not arise a second time. For like men drunk with liquor, they will be burned up like tangled thorns, like straw completely dry. Out of you, [Ninveh,] he came, one who plots evil against Adonai , who counsels wickedness. Here is what Adonai says: "Though they be many and strong, they will be cut down, they will pass; and though I have made you suffer, I will make you suffer no more. Now I will break his yoke from your necks and snap the chains that bind you. Adonai gave this order concerning you: you will have no descendants to bear your name; from the house of your god I will cut off carved image and cast metal image; I will prepare your grave, because you are worthless."

Then they sweep on like the wind, but they become guilty, because they make their strength their god."

Adonai , haven't you existed forever? My God, my holy one, we will not die. Adonai , you appointed them to execute judgment. Rock, you commissioned them to correct us.

I will stand at my watchpost; I will station myself on the rampart. I will look to see what [God] will say through me and what I will answer when I am reproved.

God comes from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Pa'ran. (Selah) His splendor covers the sky, and his praise fills the earth.

still, I will rejoice in Adonai , I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

and the coast will belong to the remnant of the house of Y'hudah. They will pasture their flocks there and in the evening lie down in the houses of Ashkelon. For Adonai their God will remember them and restore their fortunes.