Isaiah 23: 1 – 18
Go’In Down Da Shore
The burden against Tyre. Wail, you ships of Tarshish! For it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no harbor; From the land of Cyprus it is revealed to them. 2 Be still, you inhabitants of the coastland, you merchants of Sidon, whom those who cross the sea have filled. 3 And on great waters the grain of Shihor, the harvest of the River, is her revenue; And she is a marketplace for the nations. 4 Be ashamed, O Sidon; For the sea has spoken, the strength of the sea, saying, “ I do not labor, nor bring forth children; Neither do I rear young men, nor bring up virgins.” 5 When the report reaches Egypt, they also will be in agony at the report of Tyre. 6 Cross over to Tarshish; Wail, you inhabitants of the coastland! 7 Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is from ancient days, whose feet carried her far off to dwell? 8 Who has taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traders are the honorable of the earth? 9 The LORD of hosts has purposed it, to bring to dishonor the pride of all glory, to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth. 10 Overflow through your land like the River, O daughter of Tarshish; There is no more strength. 11 He stretched out His hand over the sea, He shook the kingdoms; The LORD has given a commandment against Canaan to destroy its strongholds. 12 And He said, “You will rejoice no more, O you oppressed virgin daughter of Sidon. Arise, cross over to Cyprus; There also you will have no rest.” 13 Behold, the land of the Chaldeans, this people which was not; Assyria founded it for wild beasts of the desert. They set up its towers, they raised up its palaces, and brought it to ruin. 14 Wail, you ships of Tarshish! For your strength is laid waste. 15 Now it shall come to pass in that day that Tyre will be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king. At the end of seventy years it will happen to Tyre as in the song of the harlot: 16 “ Take a harp, go about the city, you forgotten harlot; Make sweet melody, sing many songs, that you may be remembered.” 17 And it shall be, at the end of seventy years, that the LORD will deal with Tyre. She will return to her hire, and commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world on the face of the earth. 18 Her gain and her pay will be set apart for the LORD; it will not be treasured nor laid up, for her gain will be for those who dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for fine clothing.
Yeh, you heard me right. As we say in the Northeast, ‘I’m go’in down the shore’. Or perhaps, you would like me to say, ‘I am going down to the beach’. Many nations in ancient times wanted to go down the shore, that is, down to the rich island city of Tyre. For today study this will be our Holy Lord’s version of a road trip.
The prophet Isaiah message is against the nation of Tyre, which we know today as the nation of Lebanon. Isaiah’s prophecy of this nation’s destruction would come into play over some 300 years from his proclamation.
Some biblical scholars might comment that the Lord had it in for this nation. After all, besides using his prophet Isaiah to address this place, our Sovereign Ruler also had these prophets also speak to the leaders of this island metropolis;
Jeremiah 25: “15 For thus says the LORD God of Israel to me: “Take this wine cup of fury from My hand, and cause all the nations, to whom I send you, to drink it. 16 And they will drink and stagger and go mad because of the sword that I will send among them.” 17 Then I took the cup from the LORD’s hand, and made all the nations drink, to whom the LORD had sent me: 18 Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, its kings and its princes, to make them a desolation, an astonishment, a hissing, and a curse, as it is this day; 19 Pharaoh king of Egypt, his servants, his princes, and all his people; 20 all the mixed multitude, all the kings of the land of Uz, all the kings of the land of the Philistines (namely, Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and the remnant of Ashdod); 21 Edom, Moab, and the people of Ammon; 22 all the kings of Tyre, all the kings of Sidon, and the kings of the coastlands which are across the sea.”
Ezekiel 26: “1 And it came to pass in the eleventh year, on the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, because Tyre has said against Jerusalem, ‘Aha! She is broken who was the gateway of the peoples; now she is turned over to me; I shall be filled; she is laid waste.’3 “Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Behold, I am against you, O Tyre, and will cause many nations to come up against you, as the sea causes its waves to come up. 4 And they shall destroy the walls of Tyre and break down her towers; I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock. 5 It shall be a place for spreading nets in the midst of the sea, for I have spoken,’ says the Lord GOD; ‘it shall become plunder for the nations. 6 Also her daughter villages which are in the fields shall be slain by the sword. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.’
Joel 3: “4 “ Indeed, what have you to do with Me, O Tyre and Sidon, and all the coasts of Philistia? Will you retaliate against Me? But if you retaliate against Me, swiftly and speedily I will return your retaliation upon your own head; 5 Because you have taken My silver and My gold, and have carried into your temples My prized possessions. 6 Also the people of Judah and the people of Jerusalem you have sold to the Greeks, that you may remove them far from their borders. 7 “ Behold, I will raise them out of the place to which you have sold them, and will return your retaliation upon your own head. 8 I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the people of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off; For the LORD has spoken.” 9 Proclaim this among the nations:”
Amos 1: “Thus says the LORD: “ For three transgressions of Tyre, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and did not remember the covenant of brotherhood. 10 But I will send a fire upon the wall of Tyre, which shall devour its palaces.”
Zechariah 9: “2 Also against Hamath, which borders on it, and against Tyre and Sidon, though they are very wise. 3 For Tyre built herself a tower, heaped up silver like the dust, and gold like the mire of the streets. 4 Behold, the Lord will cast her out; He will destroy her power in the sea, and she will be devoured by fire.
Hearing all these words from these servants of Jehovah Elyon – The Lord Most High – could cause one to believe that the Lord was against Tyre. Yet, I see it a little different. I see our Lord’s Love and Concern for these people. He was doing everything possible to warn these people to turn away from their wickedness.
If you look back in biblical history you will find out that these people were very good friends of the Israelites. For example, it has this to say in the book of 1 Kings chapter 5, “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. 11 And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand kors of wheat as food for his household, and twenty kors of pressed oil. Thus Solomon gave to Hiram year by year. 12 So the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as He had promised him; and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty together.’
Today, we are going to read about Isaiah’s prediction of Tyre’s destruction.
The burden against Tyre. Wail, you ships of Tarshish! For it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no harbor; From the land of Cyprus it is revealed to them. 2 Be still, you inhabitants of the coastland, you merchants of Sidon, whom those who cross the sea have filled. 3 And on great waters the grain of Shihor, the harvest of the River, is her revenue; And she is a marketplace for the nations. 4 Be ashamed, O Sidon; For the sea has spoken, the strength of the sea, saying, “ I do not labor, nor bring forth children; Neither do I rear young men, nor bring up virgins.”
So, our Holy Lord says this to the citizens of Tyre. ‘Hey folks, guess what? The great shipping business that you have throughout the world will come to an end. That amazing harbor you presently have will be demolished’ - The burden against Tyre. Wail, you ships of Tarshish! For it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no harbor; from the land of Cyprus it is revealed to them.
To compare Tyre to our day, I would say that she was like Manhattan, New York, the business capital of the world. Have you ever heard the statement about New York City that it is ‘the city that never sleeps.’ If you go there you can go to all different types of entertainment 24 hours a day. Tyre was the New York City of its day. You could hear the partying going on throughout each night from the main land. Now, however, things will be different. The silence will be startling to foreigners - 2 Be still, you inhabitants of the coastland, you merchants of Sidon, whom those who cross the sea have filled.’
Instead of music and laughter, you will only hear the water splashing - 3 And on great waters the grain of Shihor, the harvest of the River, is her revenue; And she is a marketplace for the nations. 4 Be ashamed, O Sidon; For the sea has spoken, the strength of the sea, saying, “ I do not labor, nor bring forth children; Neither do I rear young men, nor bring up virgins.”
5 When the report reaches Egypt, they also will be in agony at the report of Tyre. 6 Cross over to Tarshish; Wail, you inhabitants of the coastland!
When terrorist attacked the World Trade Center in New York on 9/11 they wanted to damage the US economy. They accomplished this to a large degree but as you know their evil deed didn’t totally wipe out our infrastructure.
This was not the case for Type. Other nations would feel the pain of Tyre’s destruction, especially Egypt who depended on Tyre’s shipping expertise to promote and carry their products around the world – ‘5 When the report reaches Egypt, they also will be in agony at the report of Tyre. 6 Cross over to Tarshish; Wail, you inhabitants of the coastland!’
In the book of Proverbs we read this in chapter 6, “A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth; 13 He winks with his eyes, he shuffles his feet, he points with his fingers; 14 Perversity is in his heart, he devises evil continually, he sows discord. 15 Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; suddenly he shall be broken without remedy. 16 These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.
Some of you might be thinking to yourselves, I know just the person our Lord Is talking about here. That is probably so, but right now we are talking about how our Lord viewed the inhabitants of Tyre. Their self-fulfilling pride was displaying everything we read in Proverbs 6;
7 Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is from ancient days, whose feet carried her far off to dwell? 8 Who has taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traders are the honorable of the earth? 9 The LORD of hosts has purposed it, to bring to dishonor the pride of all glory, to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth.
See if you see these conditions presently happening in our country.
For one thing they glorified in their past - 7 Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is from ancient days.’ You do not have to be a history major to brag about America’s past. From war heroes, sport and Hollywood stars, great inventors, industrial giants, to financial geniuses.
Tyre was involved in traveling to far away places to uncover riches and resources - …‘whose feet carried her far off to dwell?’
She butted her nose into other countries political affairs. Her influence in the decision making of other countries was prominent – ‘8 Who has taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city, whose merchants are princes, whose traders are the honorable of the earth?’
She wanted nothing to do with the Everlasting Holy God. She kicked Him out of all major areas of their country. However, our Supreme Holy Master will not tolerate this treatment -9 The LORD of hosts has purposed it, to bring to dishonor the pride of all glory, to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth.’
The people of Tyre will find out the hard way of their sinful insults against our Holy King. He has purposed it in His heart to bring about Tyre’s fall
10 Overflow through your land like the River, O daughter of Tarshish; There is no more strength. 11 He stretched out His hand over the sea, He shook the kingdoms; The LORD has given a commandment against Canaan to destroy its strongholds. 12 And He said, “You will rejoice no more, O you oppressed virgin daughter of Sidon. Arise, cross over to Cyprus; There also you will have no rest.”
In the book of Haggai chapter 2 verse 22 we read, “I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms; I will destroy the strength of the Gentile kingdoms. I will overthrow the chariots And those who ride in them; The horses and their riders shall come down, Every one by the sword of his brother.’
It Is our Lord God Almighty – El Shaddai alone who establishes and pulls downs kingdoms. See how He is going to do this to Tyre - 10 Overflow through your land like the River, O daughter of Tarshish; There is no more strength. 11 He stretched out His hand over the sea, He shook the kingdoms; The LORD has given a commandment against Canaan to destroy its strongholds.’
There will be no more ‘good times’ in this city for the hand of the Lord Is against them - 12 And He said, “You will rejoice no more, O you oppressed virgin daughter of Sidon. Arise, cross over to Cyprus; There also you will have no rest.”
Suppose I announced to the people of America that this country would be destroyed. The people whom God will use to do this act will be the Mexican army. I think the way our politicians have harmed our country, the Mexican Government wouldn’t want it now. But that’s another story. Anyway, if I was sincere and said that God would use the Mexican army to destroy the US you would think that I was another religious nut. This is how the citizens of Tyre responded to all the prophets whom God sent to warn them of future destruction. For God told them that He would use the Babylonian kingdom to come and destroy them. The Babylonian Empire was not yet in existence then. So, you can see how the people would also disregard the prophets’ warnings.
13 Behold, the land of the Chaldeans, this people which was not; Assyria founded it for wild beasts of the desert. They set up its towers, they raised up its palaces, and brought it to ruin. 14 Wail, you ships of Tarshish! For your strength is laid waste.
We see here our Lord’s prediction of a 70 year time frame. If you had the money you could buy anything that you were looking for. The people of Tyre would do anything for the buck, even sell their souls. In a way this attitude is just like prostitution for the main desire is money. The people will find out the hard way though that the currency will fail and in time civilization will even forget that this power broker ever was the business king of the world.
15 Now it shall come to pass in that day that Tyre will be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king. At the end of seventy years it will happen to Tyre as in the song of the harlot: 16 “ Take a harp, go about the city, you forgotten harlot; Make sweet melody, sing many songs, that you may be remembered.” 17 And it shall be, at the end of seventy years, that the LORD will deal with Tyre. She will return to her hire, and commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world on the face of the earth.
In finishing up this chapter we come across a final unique verse.
18 Her gain and her pay will be set apart for the LORD; it will not be treasured nor laid up, for her gain will be for those who dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for fine clothing.’
Remember, back in this study I mentioned how the king of Tyre supplied resources for Solomon. Our Lord is predicting here that the riches, resources, and people of Lebanon would be set apart by our Holy God for His use.
Go back again and see how the Lord used the Lebanon labor to build His Temple. How this counties resources were taken and used in Jerusalem.
Now as we end think about our county. Where are all our jobs and expert workers going to? Do you see what is happening? May we learn and take heed to this special verse which you all know that is in the book of 2 Chronicles chapter 7, “14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.’
Lord, please have Mercy on us and forgive our sins. In our Lord Jesus’ Name we beseech You.’ Amen
