Prophecies Against Tyre

Text: Isaiah 23

The Destruction of Tyre - Isaiah 23:1-12

At that time, Tarshish was the furthest port in the Mediterranean world, located on the coast of Spain. Its merchant ships are told to wail because Tyre was completely destroyed. Tyre's name means “rock city.” The original Tyre was founded on the rocky coastline in Phoenicia. Because of its good port and because Phoenicia lacked good farmland, the citizens of Tyre became the Mediterranean's shipping line and became very wealthy. It established numerous distant shipping ports, such as in Tarshish. The whole coast of the Mediterranean grew silent with the news of Tyre's fall. She was the marketplace of the nations. Nations like Egypt depended on the Phoenicians to ship their grain.

Sidon is addressed because it is the chief city of Phoenicia. Because of Tyre's position, the Phoenicians thought they were beyond trouble. She is like a maid who never gave birth. Life was easy, but in the end, she suddenly realized she had nothing. She lost her people, and no one was left to continue the lineage.

Large nations, like Egypt, tremble at the news of Tyre's fall because they realize that they are vulnerable as well. The few survivors are invited to hide in distant Tarshish. Tyre fell even though it existed for thousands of years. It was the city that determined who would rule other nations. Yet, God brought Tyre down, to bring its pride and beauty to naught. The coastal cities are no longer under its control and can expand as they see fit. God caused the strongholds of Canaan to be demolished. "Canaan" is the name the Phoenicians used to refer to themselves, hinting that they had descended from Ham's son, Canaan. What happened to Tyre wasn't due to accident or human decisions. It was a plan executed by God.

Even though the people flee the destruction, they can't hide from God's judgment.

The Destroyers of Tyre - Isaiah 23:13-14

Assyria is currently in control of the region, but an unexpected army arises from among the Chaldeans, an area the Assyrians considered a wasteland. With their siege towers, they stripped cities and left them in ruin. Tyre was considered a stronghold, a place that could not be conquered, yet it was.

Tyre Will Be Rebuilt in Seventy Years - Isaiah 23:15-18

For the same reason that the Israelites were able to return to their land after 70 years of captivity, Tyre will also be rebuilt. "Days of a king" refers to a fixed, unchangeable time period. She will pick up where she left off. The city is likened to a harlot. She makes money off of other nations who want what she has to offer through seduction.

The Lord showed mercy to Tyre by allowing it to return to power. Rather than storing up wealth for itself, Tyre's wealth will benefit Israel as it rebuilds. Normally, God doesn't allow a harlot's wage to be contributed to His Temple (Deuteronomy 23:18), but because of His mercy, what normally would be rejected becomes holy.