Against Nineveh (v 9-11)

The destruction of Nineveh (Assyria) is foretold. “Whatever you devise against the Lord, He will make a complete end of it. Distress will not rise up twice.” (1) All the sins of Nineveh are against the Lord. Therefore, judgment from the Lord will come upon Nineveh. By that judgment, Nineveh will never rise again (it will not be rebuilt). (2) “Tangled thorns” are dry and easily burned, and Nineveh likewise will quickly be burned up. (3) “Those who are drunken with their drink” cannot distinguish between reality and dreams and hold on to false hopes. That is exactly the condition of Nineveh. No matter how much they held on to false hopes, they will be “consumed like stubble completely dried up.” (4) The reason is this: “From you has gone out one who plotted evil against the Lord, a wicked counselor.” Specifically, “one who plotted evil against the Lord, a wicked counselor” refers to Sennacherib. He is the one who “devises wicked plans” (NIV). “Wickedness” in Hebrew is “Belial.” This is a designation for Satan in the Old Testament. In other words, Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, was a messenger of Satan. How Sennacherib attacked and tormented Judah is recorded in detail in Isaiah chapters 36 and 37.

For Judah (v 12-13)

Next, words of comfort are spoken to Judah. “Though they are at full strength and so they are many, so also they will be cut off and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no longer. So now, I will break his yoke from upon you, and I will tear your shackles to pieces.” (1) “They” refers to the Assyrian army. When they surrounded Jerusalem, they were resting at ease, confident of victory because of the great number of their soldiers. (2) However, no matter how great they were in number, they could only be defeated before the Lord. “They will be cut off and pass away” brings to mind a shepherd shearing the wool of sheep, or a landowner cutting the overgrown grass. In ancient warfare, it was not uncommon for the victor to shave the beard or hair of the defeated in order to shame them. (3) At the same time as the destruction of Assyria, the Lord prophesies the liberation of Judah. This prophecy became good news for Judah. No matter how much power one boasts, those who oppose the Lord will surely perish. Let us learn to fear the Lord and to follow Him. If we continue to place our hope in the Lord, the time of liberation will surely come.