Isaiah 23

Isaiah 23

Isaiah now proclaims the burden against Tyre. Tyre was a coastal city strategically located on the Mediterranean coast. They were a ruthless materialistic commerce center upon whom the whole region depended. This evil system of commerce was deeply, inseparably intertwined with idolatry. Idolatry is the worship of demon gods. As believers, we cannot be immersed in the world system of commerce without being immersed in the filth of idolatry.The judgment of God will come upon Tyre in a sudden, shocking and final way. It will come upon them at an unexpected time in the normalcy of life. God's judgment will be devastating. All the surrounding nations will be impacted. No one will ever be able to escape the impact of God's judgment.At the heart of Tyre's sin, the cause of God's judgment is the pride of Tyre. Pride is the root and foundation of all sin. The bible has nothing good to say about pride. All of us are susceptible to pride. As believers, we must ever be on guard against pride. Unrepented of pride in the life of a believer will destroy their effectiveness for the cause of Christ. In effect, pride will diminish the life of a believer to useless existence. It will be a life of nothing but wood, hay and stubble. The key for us to avoid the downfall of pride is obedience. We are to be obedient to Jesus Christ and His word regardless of cost or consequence. Disobeying God's word is not an option in the life of a believer. It is only obedience to Jesus Christ and His word that will protect us from the destructiveness of pride. In the life of a believer, obedience is everything.
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Chapter 23
1 The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.
2 Be still, ye inhabitants of the isle; thou whom the merchants of Zidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished.
3 And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations.
4 Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins.
5 As at the report concerning Egypt, so shall they be sorely pained at the report of Tyre.
6 Pass ye over to Tarshish; howl, ye inhabitants of the isle.
7 Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient days? her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn.
8 Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth?
9 The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth.
10 Pass through thy land as a river, O daughter of Tarshish: there is no more strength.
11 He stretched out his hand over the sea, he shook the kingdoms: the LORD hath given a commandment against the merchant city, to destroy the strong holds thereof.
12 And he said, Thou shalt no more rejoice, O thou oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon: arise, pass over to Chittim; there also shalt thou have no rest.
13 Behold the land of the Chaldeans; this people was not, till the Assyrian founded it for them that dwell in the wilderness: they set up the towers thereof, they raised up the palaces thereof; and he brought it to ruin.
14 Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strength is laid waste.
15 And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: after the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as an harlot.
16 Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered.
17 And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth.
18 And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.
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