Bible Pathways 09/08/2002
September 08
Read Ezekiel 25 -- 28
In Today's Reading:
The judgement against Gentile nations: Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, and Sidon; fate of Satan who inspired them; future regathering of Israel.
Verses for Today:
The Word of the Lord came unto me, saying . . . Because . . . Tyrus hath said against Jerusalem . . . (since) she is broken . . . I shall be replenished (prosper), now she (Jerusalem) is laid waste . . . I am against . . . Tyrus (proud queen of the seas) (26:1-3).
The records of prophetic judgments against Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia are comparatively short; but the prophecy against Tyre covers almost three chapters (Ezekiel 26:1-28:19). Along with Babylon and Egypt, Tyre was a world power in Ezekiel's day.
Tyre was one of the richest cities of the world. Its wealth was not gained from war, like that of Babylon, but from trade among the nations. Its fleet of ships was the greatest of all the nations and it provided a vital link between east and west.
Ezekiel received a detailed prophecy from God concerning the destruction of Tyre: They shall destroy the walls of [Tyre], and break down her towers: I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her (bare) like the top of a rock. It (her island capital) shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea: for I have spoken it. . . . I will bring upon [Tyre] Nebuchadnezzar. . . . They shall lay [your] stones . . . in the midst of the water. . . . [You shall never be rebuilt] (26:4-5,7,12,14).
Nebuchadnezzar besieged Tyre for 13 years and fully destroyed the mainland city. However, during that long siege, the city's administration and much of its wealth was moved to the offshore island section of the city. After the Chaldean invasion under Nebuchadnezzar, Tyre was never again a world power. More than two centuries later, Alexander the Great besieged Tyre, which was then just an island city nearly half a mile from the mainland. Since Alexander had no fleet, his men used the stones, timber, and dirt from the ruins of the ancient walled mainland city to build a causeway 200 feet wide to reach the island and destroy it exactly as prophesied: [You shall] be no more (26:20-21).
Tyre should be a warning to the merchant who rejoices when his competition goes bankrupt or to the "Christian" who resents the success of his "rivals" in the Church or in the marketplace: Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves (Philippians 2:3).
Christ Revealed:
As the One Who will execute judgment upon Satan (Ezekiel 28:14-19; also Revelation 20:1-10).
Word Studies:
25:5 couchingplace = resting place; 26:9 engines of war = battering rams; 26:10 wheels = wagons; 26:17 haunt it = dwell there.
Prayer Needs:
Government Officials: Rep. Adam Foley (FL), Rep. Bernard Sanders (VT), and Rep. Michael Simpson (ID) · Pray for the missionary ministries · Country: St. Vincent and The Grenadines (120,000) in the Lesser Antilles of the eastern Caribbean · Major languages: English and French patois · Religious freedom · 50% Protestant; 17% Roman Catholic; 2% spiritist · Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to give you boldness and opportunities to share the gospel with others (Colossians 4:3-4).
Optional Reading: Revelation 13
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 10:9
