"Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees." This last evil is tantamount to usurping authority from God in the earth. This woe is pronounced upon such actions. His anger is not turned away—rather, He now sends His "rod", the Assyrian. This closes the series of seven woes.
"O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets." This is the great and terrible day of the Lord, the harvest, when the Land is utterly emptied, when one is taken and another left. (Matt. 24:40,4140Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (Matthew 24:40‑41); Zech. 14:11Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. (Zechariah 14:1).)
This period of judgment is spoken of as the "consumption" and leads on to the "indignation" when all of the nations are put down in order for Christ to reign as Solomon.
In the meantime our attention is called to witness the presumption of the "rod" who attempts to take possession of the land of Israel instead of returning to his land after carrying out his charge. Also he takes credit for slaying the armies of the West which had just fallen by the sword of "His (Christ's) mouth". Here we learn that "the light of Israel shall be for a fire". It is at this time, between the first attack of the Assyrian upon Jerusalem and his last attack, the remnant, that is, the ten tribes, shall return from the furthest corners of the earth. After they have returned and are dwelling safely, the Assyrian attacks, only to find himself and his confederacy overwhelmed by Jehovah.
This is the time of full victory for Israel and, following this, millennial blessing.