Ezekiel 27:1-36 Lament Tyre
God gives Ezekiel a lament for Tyre. She was a very beautiful and prosperous city. But her destruction will bring a lament from those who once knew her.
Most of this lament is filled with naming those who traded with Tyre and what they brought to her. It is an extensive list as she is VERY popular and has much to offer. Judah and the land of Israel are even included in this list. “Judah and the land of Israel traded with you; they exchanged for your merchandise wheat of Minnith, meal, honey, oil and balm” (verse 17). I wonder what it is they were purchasing.
Tyre was a hub of trading. She was a coastal city and received goods by ship and land. She had great craftsmen, skilled in many lines. Ship building, warfare, and even embroidery. Anything you wanted could be found in the markets of Tyre, for the right price.
She was a proud city. One that had survived for over 2000 years. Her defenses were strong and her army well able to defend her. But she made the mistake of rejoicing over the fall of the city of Jerusalem. God would see them destroyed for their attitudes. We saw the prophecy of their destruction when we looked at chapter 26 of Ezekiel. We also touched on the fact that their destruction would not ALL come at the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. Alexander the Great would finish off their fortified island city. Nebuchadnezzar would burst open their city on the mainland.
The destruction of Tyre would bring tears and pain to all who once traded in her. Tyre would “sink into the heart of the sea on the day of your fall” (verse 27b) and “The mariners and all the pilots of the sea stand on land and shout aloud over you and cry out bitterly. They cast dust on their heads and wallow in ashes; they make themselves bald for you and put sackcloth on their waist, and they weep over you in bitterness of soul” (verses 29b-31). “The merchants among the peoples hiss at you; you have come to a dreadful end and shall be no more forever” (verse 36).
God wasn’t laughing at Tyre’s fall. That is why Tyre got in trouble in the first place. God tells Ezekiel to “lament” for Tyre, NOT rejoice over her. We are to do the same when we see others in distress. DO NOT take joy in the pain of others. Pray for them. Pray that their lesson will be short as they learn from it quickly the things that need to be addressed and changed. Weep for them. “There but for the grace of God go I.”
I know we have seen this lesson before, but it is important enough to repeat. “Pray for your enemies.” “Do good to those who spitefully use you.” “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ALL these commands God has given to us who are called by His name. “Pray for those in authority over you.” Between these, that just about covers everyone!
Father God, help me to remember to pray for even those who are making my life hard. Forgive me for wishing anyone evil or rejoicing over their distress. I want to have a heart like Yours. One full of love for all. NOT one that is trampled over but one that uses love as a tool for the best.
