own individu&l peouli&rities and natural qualities, whilst the Divine Spirit operated through those and turned these to the most useful account. Biblical ct.itlos are agreed in recognizing "the classic beauty and the finished elegance" of the·· style of Nahum, and in assigning to this writer a place in the first rauk of Hebrew literature. "The variety in his method of presenting ide&ll discovers much poetio talent iu the prophet. The reader of taste and sensibility will \ie affected by the entire structure of the poem, by the agreeable manuer in which the ideas are brought forward, by the flexibility of the expressions, the roundness of his turns, the delicate outlines of his figures, by the strength and delicacy, and the expression of sympathy and greatness, which diffuse themselves over the whole subject" (De Wette's Introduction). ''Nahum of all the prophets has the most impassioned style; and in none is found the change of numbers, of persons addressed, and of suffix-relations, with such frequentness and immediateness as in him. At the same time, his lnnguage_ has wonderful energy and picturesque beauty. The painting does not embrace merely sin.gle rhythms and groups of words, but whole series; and in connecting his thoughts, he shows, with all his vehemence, great and varied skill" (Rleinert). His description of the siege and fall of Nineveh, contained in this chapter (vers. 3---13), is wonderfully vivid. As we read the account, even at this distant date, the stirring scenes seem to live again, and to pass in review before us. \Ve see the attacking warriors in their scarlet attire and with their chariots armed with sharp instruments of steel (ver. 3), and the defenders of the city, suddenly startled, ha.stening tbeir preparations, their chariots in the hurry jostling agairu,t each other in the streets, and the gallants summoned by the king hastening to the ramparts, wbich the foe is seeking with battering-rams to cast down (vers. 4, 5). We behold the overflowing of the river, facilitating the advance of the enemy, and paralyzing the people by reason of the popular tradition now ~eemingly being fulfilled (ver. 6). We witness the inhabitants brought low in shame and dishonour, moaning like a captive woman {ver. 7), or fleeing for their very life in hopelessness and despair, conscious that resista.n_ce is vain (ver. 8). We view the spoiling of the ,city-the conqueror carrying away the gold and the silver to the Median capital, the trophies of victory (ver. 9). Finally, we picture to ou~selves the prophets of the Lord gazing upon the waste and desolation, reflecting upon the proud being abased, their offspring cut off, their gains confiscated, their boastful messengers silenced, and ascribing all the terrible reverses thus experienced to the righteous retribution of the Lord of hosts (vers. 10-13); and we feel, as we linger upon the scene thus graphically portrayed, that whilst rejoicing in this volume of revelation as having been gfren by inspiration of God, and as containing Divine lessons abounding both in encouragement and warning, we may well prize it also even on the lower ground =of its literary merit, and heartily rejoice in the infinite •variety of human powers and endowments here consecrated to the presentation of the loftiest and grandest spiritual teacbing.-S. D. H. Ver. 13.-Man incurring the Divine dispkasure. "Behold, I am against thee, SBith the Lord of hosts." This attitude of God towards man- • I. iHPLIES WBONG·DOING ON MAN's PART. God is' not thus adverse to man for naught. "His delights are with the sons of men" (Prov. viii. 31). Sin alienates ma.n from God, and ea.uses God to be righteously displeased with man. II. INVOLVES JUN m PRESENT DISTRESS. :Man cannot be at case whilst under the ban of Jehovah. "In his favour is life" (Ps. xxx. 5). Separation from him through !\in means disquietude and unrest. "The worst troubler in the world is a wilful heart." "Conscience makes cowards of us all." "The heart melteth, the knees smite together" (ver. 10). Ill. RESULTING IN ULTIMATE BUIN TO BUCH AS WILFULLY PERSIST IN SIN. God is "the Lord of hosts." All power is his. "~o shall sta?d when he is_ angry?,: _(Ps. Ix.xvi. 7). All have sinned, and hence have 1ncurred the displeasure of him who re of purer eyes than to behold iniquity;" but in Christ, whose day the seers saw nfar off, God iB reconciled to man; so that the distress and ruin indicated can alone result from ruao refUBing to be recunciled unto God.-8. D. H.
Ver.13 (with eh. i. 15).-The messengers of Nineveh and tlte me~sengers oj Zion: a Cll. II, 1---!3,] THE BOOK Olt' NAHUM.