Preparing for Deliverance

Who Is Tyre?

Tyre was the dominant Phoenician city located along the sea coast north of Akko and south of Sidon. It was the major sea power of the day with a large navy that defended the island city from attack and engaged in trade throughout the Mediterranean (Ezek 27). 

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Read Isaiah 23:1

The first verse speaks to the entire chapter’s intent, in that Isaiah proclaims the impending destruction of Tyre, a chief trading city with many ships and fortresses under Phoenecian rule. It is not yet confirmed whether this chapter describes Sennacherib’s (701 BCE) or Tiglath-pileser III’s (743 BCE) campaign against Phoenicia. The reason for Tyre’s destruction is found later in verse 9, and it is their pride. Ezekiel also warns of Tyre’s judgment due to their pride in Ezekiel 28.

Tarshish, a seaport in the western Mediterranean, probably Tartessus in South Spain, was the source of trade to all the major cities with access to the Mediterranean Sea. The island of Cyprus was one of those places, and Isaiah proclaims that when the sailors return from their trading in Cyprus they will learn of their new found homelessness and impoverishment.

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Read Isaiah 23:2-4

Here Isaiah commands that Sidon, a neighboring city to Tyre, be still (v.2) and be ashamed (be regretful) (v.4). Yet this is less of a command and more of a prophecy of how Sidon will respond when they experience such great loss at the destruction of Tyre. Sidon had investments in the grain of Shihor, an area in Egyptian Delta along the Nile River, and that investment was being managed by the ships of Tyre. So as Isaiah proclaims the destruction of Tyre, a resulting economic collapse and a halt in revenue for those that traded with them is  imminent. Isaiah describes this as a collective metaphorical cry from those nations who will say, “I have neither labored nor given birth, I have neither reared young men nor brought up young women” (v.4). And we know that if the birth rate of any nation is halted, that entire nation’s fall will come soon.

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Read Isaiah 23:5-10

Isaiah continues to describe the fallout from Tyre’s destruction as he proclaims that Egypt and all of Tyre’s trading partners along the coast will lament at their losses. Isaiah then asks a rhetorical question, “Is this your exultant city whose origin is from days of old, whose feet carried her to settle far away? (v.7). In this he highlights the accomplishments of the people of Tyre, later stating that they are the bestower of crowns, their merchants are princes, and their traders are honored in all the earth (v.8). Yet Isaiah only lifts up the glory of Tyre to explain to his listeners how devastating the news of Tyre’s fall would be to those who came to depend on that great trading city for their success.

Even with all of Tyre’s past achievements and world renown (v.8), when God speaks of his plan to take any nation’s glory away, nothing can prevent their fall. Isaiah states that it was God’s plan from long ago to defile the pride of all glory, and to shame those who are honored on the earth (v9.), highlighting that this was the reason for Tyre’s judgement.

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Read Isaiah 23:11-13

Verses 13-18 are proof that Isaiah 23 was not all scribed at one time, and that these verses were of a later edition to the chapter. These verses refute the point that Assyria was the vessel of destruction used to overthrow Tyre, stating that it was actually the Chaldeans who accomplished this great task. The length of time between this chapters first writing and its completion may account for the 70 years (the lifetime of a king) of humiliation that the LORD prescribed against his own people in Judah in Jeremiah 25:11-25 and in Jerusalem Daniel 9:2,24, before he then brought judgement on the Babylonians whom he used to judge his people. Maybe it was after this same period of time that Tyre would also re-establish its trade relations and rebuild its economy.

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Read Isaiah 23:14-18

Isaiah proclaims that the ships of Tarshish, the capital of Tyre, and the birthplace of the apostle Paul, will wail because their fortresses (homes) are destroyed (v.14). The seventy years of humiliation is then prescribed, after which Isaiah proclaims Tyre will sing songs of joy again (vv.15-16).

Isaiah concludes this chapter with a song of hope for Tyre after it began with proclamations of despair. Yet this song of joy is not for the benefit of Tyre, but rather for Israel who will then be the benefactors of all of Tyre's international investments and trade. This means that through the Assyrian and Chalean invasions of Tyre, the LORD worked miraculously to give his own people Israel the control of this influential trade city.

Although Tyre will be restored after seventy years (v.15) and return to her trade, it will be the LORD to whom all of her wages will be dedicated (v.18). Isaiah paints a metaphorical picture of Tyre becoming a prostitute who sells and trades with forign nations but then brings all of her profits to the LORD who will become her souteneur; benefiting from her forign trade but remaining undefiled by it (vv.17-18).

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Reflection

Tyre’s pride and subsequent fall led to Israel’s gain. What has been the results of your prideful acts in contrast to the results of your acts of humility?

Isaiah proclaims that the news of Tyre’s destruction caused fear and panic in those nations who depended on them for trade. What finite things have you come to depend on that if they were destroyed or taken away–would also cause you to panic or become afraid?

Our ultimate dependence should be on God alone, for he is the only one who can satisfy our every wholesome need and desire. During the current Coronavirus pandemic, how have you grown in your dependence on God alone? 

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Prayer

Eternal Creator,

We praise you for your faithfulness, especially your miraculous outpouring of protection and healing already this year. Although there is still trouble and concern all around us, our hearts are filled with joy because of our faith in your promises of deliverance. Help us in our areas of pride, and help us to humble ourselves according to your word. Now that so many of the temporary things that we have come to rely on have been taken away or limited, help us to trust and rely on you in ways that we never have before. Help us especially in the areas that we'd prefer you not meddle in, we want you to have your complete way in our lives. We need you now, LORD, and you know exactly how much we do. Set us free from all trouble according to your truth, as we receive the indescribable blessings you have prepared for us, in Jesus Name. Amen!