Melt Away

September 21, 2001

A possible interpretation of a prophecy in the book of Isaiah

Do not celebrate, Palestinians, that the leader of Israel who struck you has died in office. If he was a snake to you, his successor will be a viper, a fiery, venomous serpent. My helpless people will have provisions and security, but your root will be destroyed by famine. The few who remain I will kill.

Wail, O Palestinian cities, for you are doomed! See that cloud of smoke from the north? That's the demise of your allies. Take a good look, then melt away and flee in terror, Palestinians. When you leave, there will not be any stragglers in your ranks.

What answer shall be given to the envoys of that nation? What response will we give to the representatives of those who wish to destroy Israel? Tell them that "the Lord Himself has established Zion, and His afflicted people will find refuge in her."

Scripture: Isaiah 14:29-32

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, O 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 nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it. (KJV)

Do not rejoice, O Philistia, all of you, Because the rod that struck you is broken; For from the serpent's root a viper will come out, And its fruit will be a flying serpent.And those who are most helpless will eat, And the needy will lie down in security; I will destroy your root with famine, And it will kill off your survivors. Wail, O gate; cry, O city; Melt away, O Philistia, all of you; For smoke comes from the north, And there is no straggler in his ranks.How then will one answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD has founded Zion, And the afflicted of His people will seek refuge in it. (NASB)

Country of Philistia, don't be happy that the king who struck you is now dead. He is like a snake that will give birth to another dangerous snake. The new king will be like a quick, dangerous snake to bite you. Even the poorest of my people will be able to eat safely, and people in need will be able to lie down in safety. But I will kill your family with hunger, and all your people who are left will die. People near the city gates, cry out! Philistines, be frightened, because a cloud of dust comes from the north. It is an army, full of men ready to fight. What shall we tell the messengers from Philistia? and that his poor people will go there for safety. (New Century Version)

Do not rejoice, all you of Philistia, Because the rod that struck you is broken; For out of the serpent's roots will come forth a viper, And its offspring will be a fiery flying serpent. The firstborn of the poor will feed, And the needy will lie down in safety; I will kill your roots with famine, And it will slay your remnant. Wail, O gate! Cry, O city! All you of Philistia are dissolved; For smoke will come from the north, And no one will be alone in his appointed times. What will they answer the messengers of the nation? That the Lord has founded Zion, And the poor of His people shall take refuge in it. (NKJV)

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, O gate! Howl, O 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." (NIV)

People of Philistia, the rod that beat you is broken, but you have no reason to be glad. When one snake dies, a worse one comes in its place. A snake's egg hatches a flying dragon. The Lord will be a shepherd to the poor of his people and will let them live in safety. But he will send a terrible famine on you Philistines, and it will not leave any of you alive. Howl and cry for help, all you Philistine cities! Be terrified, all of you! A cloud of dust is coming from the north-it is an army with no cowards in its ranks. How shall we answer the messengers that come to us from Philistia? We will tell them that the Lord has established Zion and that his suffering people will find safety there. (Today's English Version)

All you Philistines, don't rejoice that the rod of the one who struck you is broken, because a viper will come from that snake's root, and his descendant will be a flying, fiery serpent. The poorest of the poor will eat, and the needy will lie down in safety. But I will put your root to death with famine and kill off your survivors. Cry loudly in the gate! Cry out in the city! Be frightened, all you Philistines! Smoke comes from the north, and there are no stragglers in its ranks. How should we answer the messengers from the nations? [Tell them that] the LORD has laid Zion's foundation, and his humble people will find refuge in it. (God's Word Translation)

Hold it, Philistines! It's too soon to celebrate the defeat of your cruel oppressor. From that death throes of that snake a worse snake will come, and from that, one even worse. The poor won't have to worry, the needy will escape the terror. But you Philistines will be plunged into famine, and those who don't starve, I'll kill. Wail and howl, proud city! Fall prostrate in fear, Philistia! On the northern horizon, smoke from burned cities, the wake of a brutal, disciplined destroyer. What does one say to outsiders who ask questions? Tell them, "God has established Zion, those in need and in trouble find refuge in her." (The Message)