The prophet Isaiah had been delivering an oracle against Assyria, and now he turns to the nation of Philistia. This was one of the neighboring nations that Judah may have wanted to turn to for help.

King Ahaz

The oracle is introduced by placing it on the timeline—

28 In the year that King Ahaz died came this oracle (ESV).

Ahaz was a king of Judah approximately 735-716 BC. You can read about his rule in 2 Kings 16 and 2 Chronicles 22. He had turned to Assyria for help fighting invading forces, but Assyria turned around and attacked Judah too. His biographers described him as a wicked and sinful man who led his nation away from God by promoting idolatry. To trust in other nations was to trust in their gods. Ahaz even had a pagan altar placed in the Temple in order to worship the gods of the Assyrians. His successor Hezekiah worked hard to bring Judah back to the one true God.

Philistia

29 Rejoice not, O Philistia, all of you, that the rod that struck you is broken, for from the serpent’s root will come forth an adder, and its fruit will be a flying fiery serpent.

Philistia had frequent battles with Israel and Judah. Goliath was the Philistine that David defeated with God’s help, and Samson also fought the Philistines. With the death of King Ahaz, Philistia was apparently rejoicing at his downfall. Verse 29 has obscure symbolism that Bible commentaries can’t agree on. The important fact is that Philistia would be facing God’s judgment even as Assyria did.

30 And the firstborn of the poor will graze, and the needy lie down in safety but I will kill your root with famine, and your remnant it will slay. 31 Wail, O gate; cry out, O city; melt in fear, O Philistia, all of you! For smoke comes out of the north, and there is no straggler in his ranks.

God was going to wipe out Philistia, but Judah would enjoy peace and safety.

In God Is Refuge

32 What will one answer the messengers of the nation? “The LORD has founded Zion, and in her the afflicted of His people find refuge.”

Assyria had been a tool that God was using to discipline Judah. Because God was in control of all that had been happening, there was no reason for Judah to turn to Philistia for help. The messengers of Philistia were to be turned back because Judah could depend on God. The lesson for Judah and for us is that we don’t need to be afraid. We can trust in the Lord who is sovereign over nations and people.

Application

1) Remember you are a citizen of God’s kingdom. We are not autonomous individuals, despite what our culture may teach us.

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Eph. 2:19).

“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14).

There are only two nations in the end, the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light. In the final judgment, it won’t matter where we were born and raised, only whether we belong to Jesus Christ or not.

2) As citizens of God’s kingdom, we don’t need to be afraid. Jesus is victorious over anything that could harm us.

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28).

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5).

3) When you are afraid, turn toward God and not away from Him. He is our refuge. Rather than turning to self-help books, Google, or social media, we can turn to our Creator and King and then move forward in faith rather than fear.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matt. 6:33-34).

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:4).

Discussion Questions

1) If someone asked about you, what categories would you use to describe yourself? (E.g. American, conservative, Christian, parent, spouse, etc.) How does the Bible describe who we are? Consider Matthew 12:46-50, Galatians 3:28-29, and 2 Corinthians 5:17.

2) What stresses cause you the most anxiety? (Eg. money, family, culture, etc.) What Scriptures might help you to keep turning to God with your anxieties? Read Matthew 6:19-34 and look for the promises and reassurance that Jesus provides. Psalm 46 is another good passage to consider.

3) Take time to read through 1 John 3-5 and note all the times it says, “By this we know…” Does this bring you assurance of your salvation?

4) Read Ephesians 6:10-20. What practical steps can you take to rely on and rest in God’s power and authority?