Finally (at least that’s the word some of you might use), we have arrived at the end of Isaiah’s “Judgment against the Nations” Material. Encompassing Isaiah chapters 11 through 23 … what Proof that God is “over all,” omnipotent and omniscient and omnipresent!
Which Nation is last on the list?
Phoenicia, whose two major cities (Tyre and Sidon) are clearly indicated (and threatened) in Isaiah 23.
Isaiah begins with his typical: “The burden of Tyre!” The seacoast City which was the Crown Jewel of the Mediterranean world, a transportation hub and financial center supreme. Isaiah 23:3 … “And by great waters the seed of Sihor (the Nile), the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations.”
Wow!
Initially, as the chapter begins … it seems some of the huge ships of Tarshish (located in Spain) are sailing toward Tyre, loaded with goods, and they hear some “bad news” about the City. “Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it (Tyre) is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.” (Isaiah 23:1) The Land of Chittim? All the isles of the Mediterranean combined, as a group. (A little like the U.S. Virgin Islands.)
In verse 5 Isaiah compares the demised of Egypt (Isaiah 19) to that of Tyre. Thus proving that the “Judgment of the Nations” unit is a whole, not fragments pieced together by some unknown editor! “As at the report concerning Egypt, so shall they be sorely pained at the report of Tyre.”
Tyre had built (and heavily fortified) a part of itself on an island extending into the Mediterranean. Such was thought to be impenetrable! “Howl, ye inhabitants of the ISLE. Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient days?” Verses 6 and 7 of Isaiah 23.
Now, watch this example of beautiful Isaianic preaching! “WHO hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traffickers are the honourable of the earth? 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.” Isaiah 23:8-9 (The Lord of Hosts, meaning the Lord of the Armies!)
And God is still at work! “He (the Lord) 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.” Verse 11, powerful!
Parts of verse 12, God to Tyre and Sidon: “Thou shalt no more rejoice!” Then “Thou shalt have no rest!”
But … just who is God using to bring this havoc to such rich, worldly, affluent places? The Babylonians, the Assyrians … anyone He chooses! And the aggressors … “Brought it (Tyre/Sidon) to ruin,” Phoenicia no more! (Verse 13)
No more profit for the nations of the whole world, like Tarshish for example. “Howl, ye ships of Tarshish: for your strength is laid waste.” (Verse 14, and a harbinger of Revelation chapters 17 and 18 when Babylon again falls and all the merchants of earth weep and mourn.)
But yet … tomorrow’s lesson … God does something amazing! For Tyre and Sidon, a second chance. This is discussed in Isaiah 23:15-18 and will be our next “focus,” the Lord willing.
Study with us again, Thursday.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
.