5. God’s judgment on Assyria (10:5-19)

In a marvelous turn of the phrase, Isaiah now redirects the woe sayings toward Assyria. Even though Assyria was God’s instrument against his own people (vv.5-6), this was not how Assyria perceived it. In a great act of pride, Assyria viewed itself as the invincible conqueror, with Jerusalem and Samaria as two more cities to be added to its list of conquests (vv.7-11, 13). With vivid imagery, Isaiah proclaims that Assyria has failed to recognize the One who directs all nations: “Does the ax raise itself above him who swings it...?” (v.15). Therefore, God will destroy Assyria (vv.16-19).