This prophecy came in the year King Ahaz died:
Do not rejoice, all you Philistines, that the rod that struck you is broken; from the root of that snake will spring up a viper, its fruit will be a darting, venomous serpent. The poorest of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety. But your root I will destroy by famine; it will slay your survivors.
Wail, you gate! Howl, you city! Melt away, all you Philistines! A cloud of smoke comes from the north, and there is not a straggler in its ranks. What answer shall be given to the envoys of that nation? “The Lord has established Zion, and in her his afflicted people will find refuge.”
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We now enter a section of Isaiah with a series of prophecies against the various neighbouring nations to Israel. The latter part of Isaiah 14 concerns Philistia. The Philistines have a long-standing emnity with Israel. Their feud goes back to the time of the judges when Samson rose against their tyranny and oppression. King David killed hundreds of Philistines in King Saul's battles against them, including the giant Goliath. Today, Palestinians occupy the space where Philistia lay. It's the Gaza strip. To my knowledge, Israel has never possessed it without hostile occupants.
Isaiah speaks of a venomous serpent coming from another snake, an oppressive rod that's been broken, Babylon. If I have my history correct the venomous snake that comes from the cut down Babylon is the Persians. When God announced the fall of Babylon, Isaiah the prophet told the Philistines not to get too excited. Though it means freedom and restoration for Israel, the Persian army that defeats Babylon will also turn its attention to Philistia. Though the poor and helpless will find provision and safety, the Philistines will find only death. God plans to destroy them through the Persians. He will do so by famine.
War tactics include cutting off supplies, and destroying agriculture. The Philistines may suffer as a bystander to Persian conquest or from direct conflict. They ceased to be a distinct ethnic group by the late 5th century according to Wikipedia. (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Isaiah refers to the Persians as a cloud of smoke, in addition to a darting venomous snake. The cloud of smoke comes from the north and covers the land. As that invading nation approaches they send out envoys to negotiate terms of surrender. But there will be no surrender for those under the protection of the Lord. While the Philistines have no such protection, the Israelites will be under His care.
The good news is announced.
Isaiah 14:32 NIV
What answer shall be given to the envoys of that nation? “The Lord has established Zion, and in her his afflicted people will find refuge.”
Zion is another name for Jerusalem a city built on a hill. There the temple of the Lord sits among His people. There they will find refuge and safety. God worked with the Persians to revere Him through Cyrus and other subsequent kings of Persia. Xerxes and Daruis paid for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and it's temple. Xerxes married Esther, a Jewess. Nehemiah was the chief cupbearer for Artaxerxes. Because of Israelites such as these the Persians treated the Jews kindly. They were seen as worthy citizens within the Persian Empire.
God has established His people in Zion and they will prosper there. That they did for quite a long time until the Greeks came along.
I take comfort in knowing that God looks after His people by eliminating long-standing enemies and protecting them from further harm by providing a safe sanctuary and beneficial relationships. Take refuge in the God of Zion and join the people of the covenant. For in Christ all gentiles who believe in salvation through His name are fellow partakers in the promises to Israel.
Ephesians 2:12-13, 19 NIV
Remember that at that time you (gentiles) were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household...
Come and take refuge in the God of Zion who has established you securely in the love of Jesus Christ. There is no enemy He will not defeat and no beneficial alliance He can not build for the benefit of those who love and serve Him. Enter the new Jerusalem, the city of peace, through faith in Christ and know peace.
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