“All the inhabitants of the coastlands are appalled at you, and the hair of their kings bristles with horror; their faces are convulsed. The merchants among the peoples hiss at you; you have come to a dreadful end and shall be no more forever.” (Ezekiel 27:35-36)
The prophecies against Tyre continue in chapter 27. In this prophecy, the Lord describes the glory of Tyre:
“Your borders are in the heart of the seas; your builders made perfect your beauty.” (27:4)
“Persia and Lud and Put were in your army as your men of war. They hung the shield and helmet in you; they gave you splendor.” (27:10)
“Tarshish did business with you because of your great wealth of every kind; silver, iron, tin, and lead they exchanged for your wares.” (27:12)
“In your market, these traded with you in choice garments, in clothes of blue and embroidered work, and in carpets of colored material, bound with cords and made secure. The ships of Tarshish traveled for you with your merchandise. So you were filled and heavily laden in the heart of the seas.” (27:24-25)
Tyre was a mover and shaker in the ancient world. Wealth and power … but remember the issue raised in chapter 26: “Son of man, because Tyre said concerning Jerusalem, ‘Aha, the gate of the peoples is broken; it has swung open to me. I shall be replenished, now that she is laid waste,’ therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Behold, I am against you, O Tyre, and will bring up many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves.’” (26:2-3)
Rejoicing over Israel’s fall brought the wrath of the Lord on them at the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.
Now, back to chapter 27. The Lord describes the fall of Tyre:
“Your rowers have brought you out into the high seas. The east wind has wrecked you in the heart of the seas. Your riches, your wares, your merchandise, your mariners and your pilots, your caulkers, your dealers in merchandise, and all your men of war who are in you, with all your crew that is in your midst, sink into the heart of the seas on the day of your fall.” (27:26-27)
All the things that were evidence of Tyre’s glory were lost. The gold had rusted. The silver had tarnished. The muscle had turned to fat. The tables had turned, and the glory was gone.
“All the inhabitants of the coastlands are appalled at you, and the hair of their kings bristles with horror; their faces are convulsed. The merchants among the peoples hiss at you; you have come to a dreadful end and shall be no more forever.’” (27:35-36)
Please, Lord, help me to love what you love. Amen.
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