1:12-13
Note that there is an acceptance of the reality of the situation. Assyria did have allies, and Assyria was very strong. Even so, they would be destroyed and pass away. Then there is the reality that Judah had been afflicted, indeed she had been afflicted by the Lord. In Isaiah in particular, we read how God says He will use Assyria as an instrument of punishment on Judah for her sins. But this time would come to an end, and the yoke in Judah would be broken, as indeed it was.
1:14,15
The Lord had decreed that Nineveh would be destroyed, therefore she would be destroyed. All her strength would be gone, and all her false gods and idols would be gone. The Lord would prepare a grave for her. The key message from this is that the Lord is the Lord of history. When he decrees that something will happen, it will happen. But these decrees are not arbitrary. Assyria was vile. Assyria had committed many atrocities against other peoples.
“The feet of one who brings good news” is reminiscent of Isaiah 40:9 and 52:7. Judah is commanded to celebrate her festivals and fulfil her vows, and she would be allowed to do so in peace. The destruction of Assyria was to allow Judah to worship the Lord. Similarly, Pharaoh was told to let the Israelites go so that they could worship the Lord. Likewise, we are set free so that we can worship the Lord. Now, of course, Judah did not faithfully worship the Lord, therefore she later suffered destruction at the hands of Babylon.
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