Against Assyria (v 14)

Verse 14 again contains words spoken toward Assyria. “The Lord has issued a command concerning you: ‘Your name will no longer be perpetuated. I will eliminate the carved image and the cast metal image from the house of your gods. I will prepare your grave, for you are contemptible.’” ASV translation renders this verse as, “And Jehovah hath given commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image; I will make thy grave; for thou art vile.” (1) The Assyrians were very concerned about the continuation of their name. In order to leave their name behind, they built many monuments. However, their desire to preserve their name will be completely shattered, because they will have no descendants. (2) The idols of Assyria will be destroyed by the Lord. (3) And the Assyrians will be buried in a grave. This is because they are wicked and sinful people.

For Judah (v 15)

The prophecy of the destruction of Assyria is good news for Judah. “Behold, on the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace” (v 15a). (1) This verse is a quotation from Isaiah 52:7, which prophesies the eschatological comfort brought by the Messiah. Nahum, however, quotes it and applies it in a different way. He applies it as “the message of comfort, liberation from Assyria, is proclaimed to Judah.” (2) Furthermore, Isaiah 52:7 is also quoted in Romans 10:15. “But how are they to preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!’” Paul also quoted Isaiah 52:7 and applied it in a different way. In the context of Romans, “the good news of good things” refers to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The latter half of verse 15 says, “Celebrate your feasts, Judah, pay your vows. For never again will the wicked one pass through you; he is eliminated completely.” (1) “Your feasts” refers to the three pilgrimage feasts. The people of Judah are being encouraged to celebrate the pilgrimage feasts by going up to Jerusalem. (2) The reason is that there will no longer be anyone to hinder them on the way up to Jerusalem. The Assyrians have been completely destroyed. The prophecy of the destruction of Assyria became “good news” for the people of Judah. The “good news” today is the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we share the message of the gospel with our neighbors, we are truly doing something beautiful. Even if we are disliked by our neighbors, we are pleasing to God. Let us find opportunities and put into practice the sharing of the good news.