God's governmental ways with His people Israel are centered in this chapter. Here He remonstrates with Israel as a whole, not Judah only, for her guilt and indifference to the rebukes of Jehovah. There is no mention of a remnant; no encouragement is given to indifference. Their present prosperity will only end in dust (death) because the Word is despised.
Seven woes, six in this chapter (v. 8,10,18, 20,21,22) and the seventh in chapter 10 (v. 1), are sent upon the nation, and following the first six woes His anger is kindled against His people. He stretches forth His hand, calling down the nations upon them until the heavens darken over the Land. After the seventh woe, the day of the Lord is upon that nation. The Assyrian becomes Jehovah's rod.
"For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still." This expression is repeated many times (Isa. 5:25;9:12,17,21;10:4) before the Assyrian is sent as the rod of Jehovah to bring them to their knees. Such is the refining. All restoration must be on the basis of righteousness—God's holiness maintained, sin punished.