What two descriptions are given for Assyria in Isaiah 10:5?

The correct description identifies Assyria as "the rod of My anger and the staff in whose hand is My indignation." In Isaiah 10:5, God is expressing how He is using Assyria as an instrument of judgment against His own people due to their disobedience and sin. The term "rod" signifies discipline, suggesting that Assyria is a tool meant to bring about correction. Similarly, "staff," emphasizing strength and support, indicates that in God's hands, Assyria is wielded as a means of executing divine retribution.

This dual characterization highlights a profound theological understanding: while Assyria is an agent of punishment, it operates under God’s sovereign authority. This concept shows how God can use a nation, even one that acts with evil intent, to achieve His purposes. The focus on God's anger and indignation underscores the seriousness of Israel's rebellion and the purpose behind Assyria's rise to power.

Other choices fail to accurately reflect the terminology and concepts presented in Isaiah 10:5. For instance, they either mix metaphors or shift the focus away from the themes of divine discipline and judgment that are central to this passage.