Isa 14:28-32 | KingComments | STEP | The rest of this chapter and the following chapters describe the destruction carried out among the various nations by the LORD ( ), indirectly by His rod the Assyrians ( ). Its pre-fulfillment takes place by some kings of Assyria, successively Tiglath-Pileser, Shalmaneser and finally Sargon. However, the final fulfillment will take place under the leadership of the king of the North ( ). Successively the Philistines (Isaiah 14), Moab (Isaiah 15-16), Damascus (Isaiah 17), Israel (Isaiah 18), Egypt (Isaiah 19) and Cush (Isaiah 20) will be victims of Assyria’s hunger for power. In part, after they are conquered, they will be made allies of Assyria. It begins with the Philistines ( ). They live in the west, in the strip of land on the Mediterranean Sea, today’s Gaza Strip. The “oracle” or “burden” about the Philistines comes to Isaiah in a new year of death, that of Ahaz ( ; cf. ). After the death of Ahaz, Hezekiah comes to the throne and he will defeat the Philistines completely ( ). The joy of the Philistines is great at first, because “the staff” under which they first bowed is broken ( ). As an explanation of this verse it is stated that “the rod” means the house of David. The grandfather of Ahaz, Uzziah, is the rod that struck them ( ). As a result of the unfaithfulness of the house of David and Judah, their rod was broken and they lost their dominion over the Philistines. The Philistines are happy about this. However, their joy will disappear, because from the root of the serpent (Ahaz) a viper (Hezekiah) will emerge and eventually the Messiah. Under His blessed reign, the “most helpless” and “the needy” will be pastured and secure ( ). At His coming the Messiah will use Israel ( ) to destroy the Philistines ( ; cf. ). For Judah this should be a warning not to connect with the Philistines and not to respond to requests to do so in order to be stronger together against Assyria. Judah, here called “the firstborn” [“those who are most helpless” is literally “the firstborn of the helpless”], will also be humiliated. Of the firstborn, those to whom the double part of the blessing has been promised ( ), only “helpless” and “needy” will remain. But these poor and vulnerable will be shepherded and safe. Also from Philistia will remain something after the destruction, “your root” and “your remnant”. But the “carrot” will die of hunger and the “remnant” will be killed by Christ’s army ( ). Philistia is called to wail and to cry ( ). The “gate” is the entrance to the city. There the enemy comes first. The gate, that is all who keep watch there, will be unable to resist. There is only mourning. The “city” will then be captured, because of which the inhabitants will cry out. All of Philistia will melt away with fear because of what happens to the city. All resistance is broken. The enemy comes “from the north” as a cloud of “smoke”. This evokes the picture of an all-consuming fire coming at great speed. There are no openings in the ranks of the enemy. They are inviolable and overcome any opposition without suffering any losses themselves. The description fits with the advance of the king of the North to Egypt, invading and exterminating several countries ( ). It is plausible that he starts with Philistia. Philistia has sent messengers to Zion to enter into an alliance with Judah in order to join forces against the advancing Assyrians ( ). But they must be answered that the LORD has founded Zion and that therefore Judah does not need the help of Philistia at all. The LORD Himself will be able to protect His wretched people. This will become even more evident in the future and will be a testimony for the Name of the LORD. Against the downfall of the surrounding nations who were hostile to Israel and who have always set out to destroy God’s people and land, stands the foundation of Zion. Messengers from all nations, including Philistia, will get an answer to the question how it is possible that such a small and oppressed and plagued people have such a glorious end. The answer is that the LORD did it. That is also the guarantee that the wretched of His people, those who have suffered so much, have now found a definitive refuge there. There need be no more fear of a new threat of danger. Zion was founded by the LORD in His grace when He made David king. Zion is the symbol of the mercy and grace of God (cf. ). In that grace, represented in Zion, the God-fearing poor of God’s people will rest. They have done that in the past, they will do that in the future. We may do that in the present.

‏ Isaiah 14:28-32

Prophecy About Philistia

The rest of this chapter and the following chapters describe the destruction carried out among the various nations by the LORD (Isa 10:23), indirectly by His rod the Assyrians (Isa 10:5 ; 24). Its pre-fulfillment takes place by some kings of Assyria, successively Tiglath-Pileser, Shalmaneser and finally Sargon. However, the final fulfillment will take place under the leadership of the king of the North (Dan 11:40-44). Successively the Philistines (Isaiah 14), Moab (Isaiah 15-16), Damascus (Isaiah 17), Israel (Isaiah 18), Egypt (Isaiah 19) and Cush (Isaiah 20) will be victims of Assyria’s hunger for power. In part, after they are conquered, they will be made allies of Assyria.

It begins with the Philistines (Isa 14:28-32). They live in the west, in the strip of land on the Mediterranean Sea, today’s Gaza Strip. The “oracle” or “burden” about the Philistines comes to Isaiah in a new year of death, that of Ahaz (Isa 14:28; cf. Isa 6:1). After the death of Ahaz, Hezekiah comes to the throne and he will defeat the Philistines completely (2Kgs 18:8). The joy of the Philistines is great at first, because “the staff” under which they first bowed is broken (Isa 14:29).

As an explanation of this verse it is stated that “the rod” means the house of David. The grandfather of Ahaz, Uzziah, is the rod that struck them (2Chr 26:6). As a result of the unfaithfulness of the house of David and Judah, their rod was broken and they lost their dominion over the Philistines. The Philistines are happy about this. However, their joy will disappear, because from the root of the serpent (Ahaz) a viper (Hezekiah) will emerge and eventually the Messiah. Under His blessed reign, the “most helpless” and “the needy” will be pastured and secure (Isa 14:30). At His coming the Messiah will use Israel (Jer 51:20-23) to destroy the Philistines (Isa 11:14; cf. Zep 2:4).

For Judah this should be a warning not to connect with the Philistines and not to respond to requests to do so in order to be stronger together against Assyria. Judah, here called “the firstborn” [“those who are most helpless” is literally “the firstborn of the helpless”], will also be humiliated. Of the firstborn, those to whom the double part of the blessing has been promised (Deu 21:17), only “helpless” and “needy” will remain. But these poor and vulnerable will be shepherded and safe. Also from Philistia will remain something after the destruction, “your root” and “your remnant”. But the “carrot” will die of hunger and the “remnant” will be killed by Christ’s army (Isa 11:14).

Philistia is called to wail and to cry (Isa 14:31). The “gate” is the entrance to the city. There the enemy comes first. The gate, that is all who keep watch there, will be unable to resist. There is only mourning. The “city” will then be captured, because of which the inhabitants will cry out. All of Philistia will melt away with fear because of what happens to the city. All resistance is broken.

The enemy comes “from the north” as a cloud of “smoke”. This evokes the picture of an all-consuming fire coming at great speed. There are no openings in the ranks of the enemy. They are inviolable and overcome any opposition without suffering any losses themselves. The description fits with the advance of the king of the North to Egypt, invading and exterminating several countries (Dan 11:40-43). It is plausible that he starts with Philistia.

Philistia has sent messengers to Zion to enter into an alliance with Judah in order to join forces against the advancing Assyrians (Isa 14:32). But they must be answered that the LORD has founded Zion and that therefore Judah does not need the help of Philistia at all. The LORD Himself will be able to protect His wretched people.

This will become even more evident in the future and will be a testimony for the Name of the LORD. Against the downfall of the surrounding nations who were hostile to Israel and who have always set out to destroy God’s people and land, stands the foundation of Zion.

Messengers from all nations, including Philistia, will get an answer to the question how it is possible that such a small and oppressed and plagued people have such a glorious end. The answer is that the LORD did it. That is also the guarantee that the wretched of His people, those who have suffered so much, have now found a definitive refuge there. There need be no more fear of a new threat of danger.

Zion was founded by the LORD in His grace when He made David king. Zion is the symbol of the mercy and grace of God (cf. Heb 12:22). In that grace, represented in Zion, the God-fearing poor of God’s people will rest. They have done that in the past, they will do that in the future. We may do that in the present.