By Eugene Garner

ISAIAH - CHAPTER 14
(14:28-32)

AN ORACLE CONCERNING PALESTINA

   Vs. 28-32: In the year that king Ahaz died was this burden, Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent. And the firstborn of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety: and I will kill thy root with famine, and he shall slay thy remnant. Howl, o gate; cry, 0 city; thou, whole Palestina, art dissolved: for there shall come from the north a smoke, and none shall be alone in his appointed times. What shall one then answer the messengers of the nations? that the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.

    1. This oracle is dated by the death of Ahaz, Who was succeeded by king Hezekiah (715 B.C.); he would utterly defeat the Philistines, (2 Kings 18:8).
    2. The rejoicing of the Philistines seems to be in the death of an Assyrian king, rather than in the fall of Ahaz, who certainly had not smitten them.
    3. They appear to be proposing that Hezekiah join with them in rising up to throw off the yoke of Assyria; but, Isaiah warns that there will be great trouble ahead for any who take such action; the Assyrian will bring swift destruction upon Philistia (Palestina), (vs. 31; Jer. 1:14; 4:6; 10:22).
    4. Hezekiah is to answer the messages of Philistia "that Jehovah hath founded Zion, and in Him shall the "afflicted of his people take refuge"! (28:16; Psa. 87:1, 5; Isa. 25:4; 57:13).