Now we read of the goodness of the Lord and that is a refuge in times of trouble. Some people find it hard to reconcile the gentleness of God and the wrathful side of God. However, the two go together. If God is to care for the downtrodden, for those who are oppressed, then it is necessary for Him to work against the oppressor, to bring judgement upon the wicked. Indeed we get this very feature in v7b, 8. God cares for those who trust in Him, but He will be an overwhelming flood for Nineveh.
For evil people plot against the Lord and against His people. So should God sit back and do nothing? That would be truly evil.
Verse ll portrays the evil of Assyria. This is possibly a reference to King Ashurbanipal, to whom Manasseh paid tribute.
Assyria had a large army and numerous allies, but this would be of no use to her. No one can stand against the Lord. Judah had been subject to God's judgement. Indeed the only reason that Assyria had been able to have any success was because of Judah's sin. If Judah had repented sooner Assyria would have been defeated sooner. It is worth remembering that in a battle our strongest weapon is repentance (Isaiah 30:15).
Assyria and all her idols would be destroyed. This would happen because they are vile. False religions are not quaint curiosities.
Verse 15 speaks of a time of perfect and everlasting peace.
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