1 And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first day of the month, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, because that Tyrus hath said against Jerusalem, Aha, she is broken that was the gates of the people: she is turned unto me: I shall be replenished, now she is laid waste:
3 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up.
4 And 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.
5 It shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD: and it shall become a spoil to the nations.
6 And her daughters which are in the field shall be slain by the sword; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
7 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, a king of kings, from the north, with horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies, and much people.
8 He shall slay with the sword thy daughters in the field: and he shall make a fort against thee, and cast a mount against thee, and lift up the buckler against thee.
9 And he shall set engines of war against thy walls, and with his axes he shall break down thy towers.
10 By reason of the abundance of his horses their dust shall cover thee: thy walls shall shake at the noise of the horsemen, and of the wheels, and of the chariots, when he shall enter into thy gates, as men enter into a city wherein is made a breach.
11 With the hoofs of his horses shall he tread down all thy streets: he shall slay thy people by the sword, and thy strong garrisons shall go down to the ground.
12 And they shall make a spoil of thy riches, and make a prey of thy merchandise: and they shall break down thy walls, and destroy thy pleasant houses: and they shall lay thy stones and thy timber and thy dust in the midst of the water.
13 And I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease; and the sound of thy harps shall be no more heard.
14 And I will make thee like the top of a rock: thou shalt be a place to spread nets upon; thou shalt be built no more: for I the LORD have spoken it, saith the Lord GOD.
15 Thus saith the Lord GOD to Tyrus; Shall not the isles shake at the sound of thy fall, when the wounded cry, when the slaughter is made in the midst of thee?
16 Then all the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones, and lay away their robes, and put off their broidered garments: they shall clothe themselves with trembling; they shall sit upon the ground, and shall tremble at every moment, and be astonished at thee.
17 And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, that wast inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror to be on all that haunt it!
18 Now shall the isles tremble in the day of thy fall; yea, the isles that are in the sea shall be troubled at thy departure.
19 For thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall make thee a desolate city, like the cities that are not inhabited; when I shall bring up the deep upon thee, and great waters shall cover thee;
20 When I shall bring thee down with them that descend into the pit, with the people of old time, and shall set thee in the low parts of the earth, in places desolate of old, with them that go down to the pit, that thou be not inhabited; and I shall set glory in the land of the living;
21 I will make thee a terror, and thou shalt be no more: though thou be sought for, yet shalt thou never be found again, saith the Lord GOD.
Chapter 26 of the Book of Ezekiel in the King James Version of the Holy Bible is a prophecy against the city of Tyre. It is a vivid and dramatic chapter that focuses on the themes of judgment, the transient nature of worldly wealth and power, and the sovereignty of God. In this essay, we will delve into the details of this chapter, exploring its context, its main themes, and the profound meaning it holds.
To fully comprehend Ezekiel 26, it is essential to understand the historical context in which it was written. The Book of Ezekiel was penned during a time of significant turmoil and change for the Israelites. The prophet Ezekiel, the book's author, was among the Jewish exiles in Babylon. The city of Tyre, located on the coast of modern-day Lebanon, was a prosperous and influential city-state during this period. Its prosperity was built on trade, and it was renowned for its wealth and beauty.
However, Tyre had been hostile towards Israel, and when Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians, Tyre rejoiced over its downfall. This reaction was viewed as an act of pride and cruelty, leading to the prophecy of its destruction in Ezekiel 26. The chapter is structured as a series of prophetic messages, each one pronouncing judgment on Tyre for its actions. It is a vivid depiction of the impending doom that awaits Tyre, emphasizing the severity of God's judgment and the consequences of pride and arrogance.
There are several key themes in Ezekiel 26 that stand out. The first of these is the theme of divine judgment. The entire chapter is a prophecy of the destruction that God will bring upon Tyre. This judgment is not arbitrary; it is a response to Tyre's pride and cruelty towards Israel. By rejoicing over Jerusalem's fall, Tyre demonstrated a lack of compassion and a high degree of arrogance, both of which are condemned in the Bible. This theme of divine judgment is a reminder of God's justice and righteousness, and it serves as a warning to all who would oppose Him.
The second major theme of Ezekiel 26 is the transient nature of worldly wealth and power. Tyre was a powerful city, rich in resources and influential in trade. Yet, all of this was to be brought to nothing by God's judgment. This theme is a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of worldly success. No matter how wealthy or powerful one becomes, these things cannot save one from God's judgment. They are, in the end, transient and temporary.
The third key theme in this chapter is the sovereignty of God. Through the prophecy against Tyre, God demonstrates His absolute control over the nations. He is the one who raises up and brings down, who judges and redeems. This theme underscores the biblical teaching that God is the sovereign ruler of all things, and nothing happens outside of His control. It is a comforting reminder of God's omnipotence, even in times of turmoil and change.
The meaning of Ezekiel 26 goes beyond its historical context. While it is a prophecy against the ancient city of Tyre, its themes and messages are timeless and relevant to all readers. The chapter serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of pride and arrogance, the transient nature of worldly wealth and power, and the sovereignty of God.
In Ezekiel 26, God's judgment against Tyre is a direct response to the city's pride and lack of compassion. This serves as a warning to us today. Pride and arrogance can blind us to our need for God and lead us to treat others with contempt. However, these actions do not go unnoticed by God. As demonstrated in His judgment against Tyre, God will not tolerate such behavior. This is a sobering reminder of the importance of humility and compassion in our dealings with others.
The chapter also highlights the transient nature of worldly wealth and power. Despite its wealth and influence, Tyre could not escape God's judgment. This serves as a reminder that worldly success is not the ultimate goal. It is temporary and cannot save us from God's judgment. Instead, we should seek to store up treasures in heaven, where they are safe from decay and theft (Matthew 6:19-20). This is a call to prioritize our relationship with God over worldly pursuits.
Finally, Ezekiel 26 underscores the sovereignty of God. Despite the chaos and turmoil of the world, God is in control. He rules over the nations, and nothing happens outside of His will. This is a comforting reminder in times of uncertainty and change. No matter what we face, we can trust in God's sovereignty and know that He is working all things for our good (Romans 8:28).
In conclusion, Ezekiel 26 is a rich and powerful chapter that offers timeless lessons. Its vivid depiction of God's judgment against Tyre serves as a warning against pride and arrogance, a reminder of the transient nature of worldly wealth and power, and a testament to the sovereignty of God. As we read and reflect on this chapter, may we be prompted to examine our hearts, reprioritize our lives, and trust in God's sovereign rule. For despite the turmoil and change we may face, we can rest in the knowledge that God is in control, and His justice and righteousness will ultimately prevail.
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