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;10:425Therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. (Isaiah 5:25)
12The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. (Isaiah 9:12)
17Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. (Isaiah 9:17)
21Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. (Isaiah 9:21)
4Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. (Isaiah 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.