Ezekiel 27: 1 – 36
Down to the sea in ships
1 The word of the LORD came again to me, saying, 2 “Now, son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyre, 3 and say to Tyre, ‘You who are situated at the entrance of the sea, merchant of the peoples on many coastlands, thus says the Lord GOD: “ O Tyre, you have said, ‘ I am perfect in beauty.’ 4 Your borders are in the midst of the seas. Your builders have perfected your beauty. 5 They made all your planks of fir trees from Senir; They took a cedar from Lebanon to make you a mast. 6 Of oaks from Bashan they made your oars; The company of Ashurites have inlaid your planks With ivory from the coasts of Cyprus. 7 Fine embroidered linen from Egypt was what you spread for your sail; Blue and purple from the coasts of Elishah was what covered you.8Inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad were your oarsmen; Your wise men, O Tyre, were in you; They became your pilots. 9 Elders of Gebal and its wise men were in you to caulk your seams; All the ships of the sea and their oarsmen were in you To market your merchandise. 10 “ Those from Persia, Lydia, and Libya were in your army as men of war; They hung shield and helmet in you; They gave splendor to you. 11 Men of Arvad with your army were on your walls all around, And the men of Gammad were in your towers; They hung their shields on your walls all around; They made your beauty perfect. 12 “Tarshish was your merchant because of your many luxury goods. They gave you silver, iron, tin, and lead for your goods. 13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your traders. They bartered human lives and vessels of bronze for your merchandise. 14 Those from the house of Togarmah traded for your wares with horses, steeds, and mules. 15 The men of Dedan were your traders; many isles were the market of your hand. They brought you ivory tusks and ebony as payment. 16 Syria was your merchant because of the abundance of goods you made. They gave you for your wares emeralds, purple, embroidery, fine linen, corals, and rubies. 17 Judah and the land of Israel were your traders. They traded for your merchandise wheat of Minnith, millet, honey, oil, and balm. 18 Damascus was your merchant because of the abundance of goods you made, because of your many luxury items, with the wine of Helbon and with white wool. 19 Dan and Javan paid for your wares, traversing back and forth. Wrought iron, cassia, and cane were among your merchandise. 20 Dedan was your merchant in saddlecloths for riding. 21 Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your regular merchants. They traded with you in lambs, rams, and goats. 22 The merchants of Sheba and Raamah were your merchants. They traded for your wares the choicest spices, all kinds of precious stones, and gold. 23 Haran, Canneh, Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Assyria, and Chilmad were your merchants. 24 These were your merchants in choice items—in purple clothes, in embroidered garments, in chests of multicolored apparel, in sturdy woven cords, which were in your marketplace. 25 “ The ships of Tarshish were carriers of your merchandise. You were filled and very glorious in the midst of the seas. 26 Your oarsmen brought you into many waters, But the east wind broke you in the midst of the seas. 27 “ Your riches, wares, and merchandise, Your mariners and pilots, Your caulkers and merchandisers, All your men of war who are in you, And the entire company which is in your midst, Will fall into the midst of the seas on the day of your ruin. 28 The common-land will shake at the sound of the cry of your pilots. 29 “ All who handle the oar, The mariners, All the pilots of the sea will come down from their ships and stand on the shore. 30 They will make their voice heard because of you; They will cry bitterly and cast dust on their heads; They will roll about in ashes; 31 They will shave themselves completely bald because of you, gird themselves with sackcloth, And weep for you with bitterness of heart and bitter wailing. 32 In their wailing for you They will take up a lamentation, And lament for you: ‘ What city is like Tyre, destroyed in the midst of the sea? 33 ‘ When your wares went out by sea, you satisfied many people; You enriched the kings of the earth with your many luxury goods and your merchandise. 34 But you are broken by the seas in the depths of the waters; Your merchandise and the entire company will fall in your midst. 35 All the inhabitants of the isles will be astonished at you; Their kings will be greatly afraid, and their countenance will be troubled. 36 The merchants among the peoples will hiss at you; You will become a horror, and be no more forever.”
Our Holy God is taking three chapters in talking against Tyre. Her sins are ungodly pride and self-deification. In chapter 26 Jehovah Elyon, Our Lord Most High, condemned Tyre for her greed. She was the leading nation in sea trade and grew quite wealthy because of it. Jerusalem was situated in the premier location of the land trade route. When the nation of Judah was destroyed Tyre celebrated because she thought she could pick up all the wealth left from this war. Look at some of these passages of Scripture
Psalm 10: 4, “4 The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.”
Proverbs 6: 17, “17 A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,”
Proverbs 8: 13, “13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.”
Proverbs 16: 18, “18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Tyre’s pride and conceit of being #1 brought about our Holy Lord’s dissatisfaction and ultimate judgment.
“1 The word of the LORD came again to me, saying, 2 “Now, son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyre, 3 and say to Tyre, ‘You who are situated at the entrance of the sea, merchant of the peoples on many coastlands, thus says the Lord GOD: “ O Tyre, you have said, ‘ I am perfect in beauty.’ 4 Your borders are in the midst of the seas. Your builders have perfected your beauty. 5 They made all your planks of fir trees from Senir; They took a cedar from Lebanon to make you a mast. 6 Of oaks from Bashan they made your oars; The company of Ashurites have inlaid your planks with ivory from the coasts of Cyprus. 7 Fine embroidered linen from Egypt was what you spread for your sail; Blue and purple from the coasts of Elishah was what covered you.8Inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad were your oarsmen; Your wise men, O Tyre, were in you; They became your pilots. 9 Elders of Gebal and its wise men were in you to caulk your seams; All the ships of the sea and their oarsmen were in you to market your merchandise.”
One title our Holy Yahweh accepts of Himself is Jehovah Jireh – The Lord Who Provides. Do we all not have this fact down pat – everything we have is because of His Provision. Tyre, as a whole and we as individuals, ignore this fact and take on the position that our achievements are due to self-accomplishments. Will we ever learn? How easy can pride take root in our hearts and grow to our own destruction. You are all familiar with a man who allowed the pride of self-achievement settle into his mind. We find his story in the book of Daniel chapter 4, “28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?” 31 While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: “King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! 32 And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.” 33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. 34 And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. 35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, “What have You done?” 36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down.”
Our Lord gives Tyre a mourning song to sing. Its lyrics describe the city as she saw herself – ‘perfect in beauty’. In some cases you might even agree with her estimation of herself. Where do we like to go if we have any opportunity? – a nice ocean resort! Now I am sure there are some who would like to go to the mountains or to open country, but all in all the majority prefer the seacoast. After putting up with dreary cold rainy/snowy miserable weather, what else is more invigorating then flying off to a tropical island? Ah…. Warm sun, blue water, opps, sorry, I got carried away with myself.
Tyre was in a perfect location. She was an island situated just a half mile offshore the mainland. I am use to traveling my whole life and enjoying the Jersey Shore. All along the New Jersey coastline you have similar islands right off the mainland like Tyre. In ancient days the only way to reach the island was by a ferry. Thanks to Alexander the Great who built a causeway to attack the island city of Tyre, we can drive directly onto the islands. Prior to this engineering achievement, Tyre sat smugly without fear from any land attack.
Skilled workmen came from all over the world to set up shop in Tyre. She had the most talented ship builders and bragged of having the most efficient sailors. She had developed the finest construction materials. Only the best stuff went into their ships as Deuteronomy chapter 3 informs us, “9 (the Sidonians call Hermon Sirion, and the Amorites call it Senir),” Senir is what is called Mount Hermon, which is in Israel. It was noted for its fir trees.
1 Kings chapter 5 provides additional information for us in this matter, “ 1 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon, because he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram had always loved David. 2 Then Solomon sent to Hiram, saying: 3 You know how my father David could not build a house for the name of the LORD his God because of the wars which were fought against him on every side, until the LORD put his foes under the soles of his feet. 4 But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor evil occurrence. 5 And behold, I propose to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spoke to my father David, saying, “Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, he shall build the house for My name.” 6 Now therefore, command that they cut down cedars for me from Lebanon; and my servants will be with your servants, and I will pay you wages for your servants according to whatever you say. For you know there is none among us who has skill to cut timber like the Sidonians.7 So it was, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, for He has given David a wise son over this great people! 8 Then Hiram sent to Solomon, saying: I have considered the message which you sent me, and I will do all you desire concerning the cedar and cypress logs. 9 My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon to the sea; I will float them in rafts by sea to the place you indicate to me, and will have them broken apart there; then you can take them away. And you shall fulfill my desire by giving food for my household.10 Then Hiram gave Solomon cedar and cypress logs according to all his desire.”
The oaks of Bashan and the cedars of Lebanon had great size and strength. The Egyptians had developed the use of sailboats for trade and travel along the Nile. They perfected the sail which, Tyre took and improved.
Look at this passage of chapter 27 again, ‘Blue and purple from the coasts of Elishah was what covered you.8Inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad were your oarsmen;’ I did not know that Elisha set up a business in a coastal area. He didn’t. The real Elisha was a long time dead. This person was not our precious Jewish prophet but a guy who was influential in Cyprus. Arvad and Gebal were seacoast locations in Syria. Many skilled seamen came from this area. Gebal was noted for repairing ships [“its wise men were in you to caulk your seams’]
10 “ Those from Persia, Lydia, and Libya were in your army as men of war; They hung shield and helmet in you; They gave splendor to you. 11 Men of Arvad with your army were on your walls all around, And the men of Gammad were in your towers; They hung their shields on your walls all around; They made your beauty perfect.”
Because of its wealth Tyre drew mercenaries from various countries. The ones listed came from Persia [Iran], Lud [Turkey], Put [North Africa] and Gammadim [ Russian area ].
Our Ever Living Jehovah Shammah knows all things – past, present, and future. There are billions of people who live on the earth and because He Is so Awesome and Omnipotent He knows everything about everyone at all times. What a God! He shows these foreigners that He Is there with them and knows everything they do. In the following verses He will describe extensively the countries where Tyre deals predominantly with.
12 “Tarshish was your merchant because of your many luxury goods. They gave you silver, iron, tin, and lead for your goods.”
Tarshish has been suggested as being located in Spain. I would also like to suggest that this country is Great Britain, which also is know for its tin. Remember they were called ‘Brit tin ia’
13 Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your traders. They bartered human lives and vessels of bronze for your merchandise.
Javan has been referred to be the Grecians. Tubal and Meshech were warrior tribes that came out of the area of the Black Sea. These three became established in trading in human beings.
“14 Those from the house of Togarmah traded for your wares with horses, steeds, and mules.”
The people of Armenia today credit their ancestors as those from Beth-Togarmah. They became skilled with raising and utilizing horses for battles and mules for carrying the supplies.
“15 The men of Dedan were your traders; many isles were the market of your hand. They brought you ivory tusks and ebony as payment.“
‘Dedan’ in some manuscripts is called ‘Rhodes’, which is more logical since it was a sea trade site. In verse 20 of this chapter ‘Dedan’ is said to be located in Arabia, which fits into the land trade route.
“ 16 Syria was your merchant because of the abundance of goods you made. They gave you for your wares emeralds, purple, embroidery, fine linen, corals, and rubies. 17 Judah and the land of Israel were your traders. They traded for your merchandise wheat of Minnith, millet, honey, oil, and balm. 18 Damascus was your merchant because of the abundance of goods you made, because of your many luxury items, with the wine of Helbon and with white wool. 19 Dan and Javan paid for your wares, traversing back and forth. Wrought iron, cassia, and cane were among your merchandise.”
If you look at a map you can trace the locations previous described as located in the North and West of Tyre. Now our Holy Sovereign Lord lists places East of the island.
Notice the statement, ‘17 Judah and the land of Israel were your traders. They traded for your merchandise wheat of Minnith, millet, honey, oil, and balm.’ Jerusalem is destroyed. Damacus of Syaria took over as the chief land trade center.
“20 Dedan was your merchant in saddlecloths for riding. 21 Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your regular merchants. They traded with you in lambs, rams, and goats. 22 The merchants of Sheba and Raamah were your merchants. They traded for your wares the choicest spices, all kinds of precious stones, and gold. 23 Haran, Canneh, Eden, the merchants of Sheba, Assyria, and Chilmad were your merchants. 24 These were your merchants in choice items—in purple clothes, in embroidered garments, in chests of multicolored apparel, in sturdy woven cords, which were in your marketplace.”
As I mentioned previously, we see Dedan listed with all these other spots that are located in Arabia. Caravans were developed to transport goods to other locations throughout the Mid-east.
25 “ The ships of Tarshish were carriers of your merchandise. You were filled and very glorious in the midst of the seas. 26 Your oarsmen brought you into many waters, But the east wind broke you in the midst of the seas. 27 “ Your riches, wares, and merchandise, Your mariners and pilots, Your caulkers and merchandisers, All your men of war who are in you, And the entire company which is in your midst, Will fall into the midst of the seas on the day of your ruin. 28 The common-land will shake at the sound of the cry of your pilots. 29 “ All who handle the oar, The mariners, All the pilots of the sea will come down from their ships and stand on the shore. 30 They will make their voice heard because of you; They will cry bitterly and cast dust on their heads; They will roll about in ashes; 31 They will shave themselves completely bald because of you, Gird themselves with sackcloth, And weep for you with bitterness of heart and bitter wailing. 32 In their wailing for you They will take up a lamentation, And lament for you: ‘ What city is like Tyre, destroyed in the midst of the sea? 33 ‘ When your wares went out by sea, you satisfied many people; You enriched the kings of the earth with your many luxury goods and your merchandise. 34 But you are broken by the seas in the depths of the waters; Your merchandise and the entire company will fall in your midst. 35 All the inhabitants of the isles will be astonished at you; Their kings will be greatly afraid, and their countenance will be troubled. 36 The merchants among the peoples will hiss at you; You will become a horror, and be no more forever.”
Now our Lord likens the island commercial empire as an overloaded ship that will sink. Historical records reveal that Tyrian ships did carry large cargos. One document lists a Tyrian ship that held 450 tons of supplies. You can imagine if you had some of your products on one of these ships without insurance and it sunk - by, by, earnings.
Have you ever been at sea during a storm? It is not a good place to be. Let us just look at a couple of bible references on how terrible it can be;
Jonah 1, “4 But the LORD sent out a great wind on the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship was about to be broken up. 5 Then the mariners were afraid; and every man cried out to his god, and threw the cargo that was in the ship into the sea, to lighten the load.[a] But Jonah had gone down into the lowest parts of the ship, had lain down, and was fast asleep. 6 So the captain came to him, and said to him, “What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God; perhaps your God will consider us, so that we may not perish.” 7 And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this trouble has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 Then they said to him, “Please tell us! For whose cause is this trouble upon us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?” 9 So he said to them, “I am a Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” 10 Then the men were exceedingly afraid, and said to him, “Why have you done this?” For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them. 11 Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you that the sea may be calm for us?”—for the sea was growing more tempestuous. 12 And he said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me.” 13 Nevertheless the men rowed hard to return to land, but they could not, for the sea continued to grow more tempestuous against them. 14 Therefore they cried out to the LORD and said, “We pray, O LORD, please do not let us perish for this man’s life, and do not charge us with innocent blood; for You, O LORD, have done as it pleased You.” 15 So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. 16 Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the LORD and took vows.”
These sailors were skilled seamen and they knew that they had come upon something beyond a normal storm.
Mark 4, “35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
Not only did the disciples witness an unusual storm, they also saw a miracle when our Lord spoke to the storm and it immediately ceased.
Acts 27, “9 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.” 11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there .13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. 14 But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon. 15 So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. 16 And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. 17 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands , they struck sail and so were driven. 18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. 19 On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands. 20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us , all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 26 However, we must run aground on a certain island.”27 Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea , about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land. 28 And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms. 29 Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come. 30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off.33 And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. 36 Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves. 37 And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship. 38 So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea. 39 When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible. 40 And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore. 41 But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves.42 And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.”
I do not know about you but that is one ride I prefer to skip.
The ships of Tyre had enriched many men and countries but now all this has ended. An economic meltdown has engulfed the whole world. Sadly, this is not just some old historic tale. It will repeat itself again. Hopefully, we all will not see this happen, but let me assure you and put it in writing that it will occur. Turn with me to the book of Revelation chapter 18, ”21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore. 22 The sound of harpists, musicians, flutists, and trumpeters shall not be heard in you anymore. No craftsman of any craft shall be found in you anymore, and the sound of a millstone shall not be heard in you anymore. 23 The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth.”
