What is emphasized by the LORD touching the earth so that it melts and by the Nile rising and sinking?
The melting of the earth is imagery used to emphasize the awesome power of God. A mere touch from him causes the earth to melt like ice. The rising of the Nile likely refers to the land shaking like an earthquake, moving up and down. It was common knowledge in Israel that there were times when the Nile River was in flood and it would rise and spread out over a large area before receding. The prophet Jeremiah also uses the rising of the Nile as a picture of judgment (Jeremiah 46:7–8).1
5 Le Seigneur, l'Eternel des armées, touche la terre, et elle tremble, Et tous ses habitants sont dans le deuil; Elle monte tout entière comme le fleuve, Et elle s'affaisse comme le fleuve d'Egypte.