Oracle against Philistia: The second oracle against a foreign nation is directed toward Philistia. The order is likely determined by geographical considerations in that Philistia was next up the coast from Egypt. The Philistines have a long history in the Bible. We first hear about Philistines in the book of Genesis (Gen. 10:14; 21:32, 34, etc.). Many take these early references as anachronistic, which may be the case, or else they are indications of an early incursion of the Philistines into Canaan. In any case, it is true that the bulk of Philistine occupation of the coastal region of Canaan came in the twelfth century B.C. as part of the Sea People’s movement. They probably originated somewhere in the Aegean and came east via Crete (Caphtor, see v. 4). After trying and failing to establ…