Bible Pathways 09/08/2003
September 8
Read Ezekiel 25 -- 28
In Today's Reading:
Gentile nations judged; judgment on Tyre's king and the fate of Satan who inspired him; future regathering of Israel
Tyre was situated on the Mediterranean Sea and was one of the richest cities of the world. Its wealth was not gained from war, like that of Babylon, but from commercial business. Its fleet of ships was the greatest of all nations. Ezekiel prophesied: The Word of the LORD came to me . . . I am against you, O Tyrus (Ezekiel 26:1,3). God foretold that Tyre would be fully destroyed, not only because of its immoral idolatry, but also because of its jealousy toward the chosen city of God. Tyre was rejoicing over the downfall of Jerusalem because its competition no longer existed, saying: Aha, she is broken . . . I shall be replenished (filled), now (that) she is laid waste (26:2).
The detailed prophecy of Ezekiel concerning the destruction of Tyre leaves no doubt that only God, Who rules over every detail on earth, would be able to say: They shall destroy the walls of Tyrus, and break down her towers: I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock It shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea: for I have spoken. . . . you shall be built no more (26:4-5,14).
Nebuchadnezzar besieged Tyre for 13 years and fully destroyed the mainland city. During that long siege, the city's administration and wealth was moved to the offshore island section of the city. But, 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 from the walls of the ancient mainland city to build a causeway to reach the island and destroy it exactly as prophesied: You shall be no more (26:20-21). Since that timeTyre has never been a world power.
The attitude of Tyre should be a warning to the person 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. Now the works of the flesh are manifest (evident) , which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness (sensuality), Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance (discord), emulations (jealousy), wrath, strife, seditions (dissensions), heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21).
Christ Revealed:
As the One Who will rule over the destruction of Satan at the end of time: I will bring forth a fire . . . it shall devour you (Ezekiel 28:18-19). As Jesus reigns following the Great White Throne Judgment, the devil (Satan) . . . was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone (Revelation: 20-1-10, 14).
Word Studies:
25:5 couchingplace = resting place; 26:9 engines of war = battering rams; 26:10 wheels = wagons; 26:17 haunt it = lived there, dwell there.
Prayer Needs:
BP Staff: Mary Kay Wagner · Pray for Adam Lock and the Bible Pathway International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts on WWCR, Nashville TN · Government Officials: Gov. Juan Babauta (Northern Mariana Islands), Rep. Mark Adam Foley (FL), Rep. Bernard Sanders (VT), and Rep. Michael Simpson (ID) · Country: Saudi Arabia (22 million) on the Arabian Peninsula in southwestern Asia · Major language: Arabic · Christian worship services for foreign personnel are tolerated, but those who seek to convert Muslims to Christianity face persecution · 99% Muslim; 1% Christian · Prayer Suggestion: Remember that it is by the blood of Christ that we have access to God in prayer (Hebrews 10:19).
Optional Reading: Revelation 13
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 10:9
