“In whirlwind and storm is His way, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet. He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; He dries up all the rivers.” (Nahum 1:3b-4a, NASB)
I believe there is an allusion to Israel in the wilderness here. It was a pillar of fire and cloud that lead the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21-22). This likely resembled a whirlwind. It was the drying up of land through the sea that brought Israel out of Egypt’s clutches at the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land. It was the drying up of the river that brought them into the land at the end of that journey. The way of God is in whirlwind and storm. The path of God is in the drying of seas and rivers.
The journey of the Israelites out of Egypt to Canaan is often taught as a foreshadowing representation of the spiritual journey of the Church. I think that is warranted.
As Israel was redeemed out of Egypt through the supernatural work of God, so we are redeemed out of the world.
As Israel was given safe passage through the waters of judgment in the drying of the sea, so we have been preserved from God’s judgment in the cross of Christ.
As Israel was led through the wilderness by fire and cloud, so we are led through this life by the illumination of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit.
As Israel was ushered into the Promised Land through the drying of the Jordan, so we will be ushered into eternal life safely through death. The river of death will not sweep us away because Christ stands as our true high priest, holding back the waters.
These things are all life to us. The waters are our deliverance. The cloud and fire are our guidance. Yet, for the Ninevites, they would mean judgment. The wisdom of God is truly astounding. What is judgment for one is redemption for another, and what makes the difference is the atonement of Christ.
Dear Christian, the almighty power of God displayed in this Scripture may be the destruction of the wicked, but it is the deliverance of the righteous. And you have the righteousness of Christ.