| God Will Avenge His Own
Tyre was situated on the Mediterranean coast where it developed one of the greatest business centers in all of human history. The famous ships of Tyre sailed throughout the Mediterranean, transporting goods that made them unequalled in wealth as a city in the ancient world. Their trade of wealthy goods also extended inland to Persia in the north, the countries east of the Jordan River, and south into northern Africa. They were the envy of the world. And like most of the world, they shared in the disdain of Israel and her God. For this, they would share in the same judgment as the nations around them (25:1-17). Although God would bring His judgment upon His own people for becoming like and, at times, worse than the pagan nations around them, they were still His people. They were a people He loved and a people to whom He would still fulfill His promises. Israel would still become the nation that would produce the Savior of the world. Israel will, in the last days, be regathered in their homeland and will be defended when the nations of the world seek to annihilate them. In Jerusalem, Christ will fulfill the promise of a glorious reign for a thousand years at His second coming (Rev. 20:1-10). Israel is still an object of God's covenants, promises, and love. Whom God loves, He chastens (Heb. 12:5-6). His chastening of Israel did not remove His love and promises for Israel. Over and over throughout the scriptures, God reaffirms His unending love for His people. Our relationship with Christ has brought us under the fatherhood of God. He will discipline us, as He has with Israel, but He will never stop loving us. It is because of this love that God will personally hold all who attack, mock, or seek to destroy His people accountable to Him. This is why the nations, including the great city of Tyre, were to be punished. They had found pleasure in Israel's sufferings. The nations of the world will be accountable. Be careful how you regard Israel, as well as the least of those who are followers of Christ. God is their avenger. | |||
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Ezekiel 25:1-27:36 Proclamation Against Ammon 1 The word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 "Son of man, set your face against the Ammonites, and prophesy against them. 3 Say to the Ammonites, 'Hear the word of the Lord GOD! Thus says the Lord GOD: "Because you said, 'Aha!' against My sanctuary when it was profaned, and against the land of Israel when it was desolate, and against the house of Judah when they went into captivity, 4 indeed, therefore, I will deliver you as a possession to the men of the East, and they shall set their encampments among you and make their dwellings among you; they shall eat your fruit, and they shall drink your milk. 5 And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels and Ammon a resting place for flocks. Then you shall know that I am the LORD." 6 'For thus says the Lord GOD: "Because you clapped your hands, stamped your feet, and rejoiced in heart with all your disdain for the land of Israel, 7 indeed, therefore, I will stretch out My hand against you, and give you as plunder to the nations; I will cut you off from the peoples, and I will cause you to perish from the countries; I will destroy you, and you shall know that I am the LORD." Proclamation Against Moab8 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Because Moab and Seir say, 'Look! The house of Judah is like all the nations,' 9 therefore, behold, I will clear the territory of Moab of cities, of the cities on its frontier, the glory of the country, Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon, and Kirjathaim. 10 To the men of the East I will give it as a possession, together with the Ammonites, that the Ammonites may not be remembered among the nations. 11 And I will execute judgments upon Moab, and they shall know that I am the LORD." Proclamation Against Edom12 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Because of what Edom did against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and has greatly offended by avenging itself on them," 13 therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "I will also stretch out My hand against Edom, cut off man and beast from it, and make it desolate from Teman; Dedan shall fall by the sword. 14 I will lay My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, that they may do in Edom according to My anger and according to My fury; and they shall know My vengeance," says the Lord GOD. Proclamation Against Philistia15 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Because the Philistines dealt vengefully and took vengeance with a spiteful heart, to destroy because of the old hatred," 16 therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "I will stretch out My hand against the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethites and destroy the remnant of the seacoast. 17 I will execute great vengeance on them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I lay My vengeance upon them."'" Ezekiel 26 Proclamation Against Tyre1 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.' 7 "For thus says the Lord GOD: 'Behold, I will bring against Tyre from the north Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, king of kings, with horses, with chariots, and with horsemen, and an army with many people. 8 He will slay with the sword your daughter villages in the fields; he will heap up a siege mound against you, build a wall against you, and raise a defense against you. 9 He will direct his battering rams against your walls, and with his axes he will break down your towers. 10 Because of the abundance of his horses, their dust will cover you; your walls will shake at the noise of the horsemen, the wagons, and the chariots, when he enters your gates, as men enter a city that has been breached. 11 With the hooves of his horses he will trample all your streets; he will slay your people by the sword, and your strong pillars will fall to the ground. 12 They will plunder your riches and pillage your merchandise; they will break down your walls and destroy your pleasant houses; they will lay your stones, your timber, and your soil in the midst of the water. 13 I will put an end to the sound of your songs, and the sound of your harps shall be heard no more. 14 I will make you like the top of a rock; you shall be a place for spreading nets, and you shall never be rebuilt, for I the LORD have spoken,' says the Lord GOD. 15 "Thus says the Lord GOD to Tyre: 'Will the coastlands not shake at the sound of your fall, when the wounded cry, when slaughter is made in the midst of you? 16 Then all the princes of the sea will come down from their thrones, lay aside their robes, and take off their embroidered garments; they will clothe themselves with trembling; they will sit on the ground, tremble every moment, and be astonished at you. 17 And they will take up a lamentation for you, and say to you: "How you have perished, 18 Now the coastlands tremble on the day of your fall; 19 "For thus says the Lord GOD: 'When I make you a desolate city, like cities that are not inhabited, when I bring the deep upon you, and great waters cover you, 20 then I will bring you down with those who descend into the Pit, to the people of old, and I will make you dwell in the lowest part of the earth, in places desolate from antiquity, with those who go down to the Pit, so that you may never be inhabited; and I shall establish glory in the land of the living. 21 I will make you a terror, and you shall be no more; though you are sought for, you will never be found again,' says the Lord GOD." Ezekiel 27 Lamentation for Tyre1 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. 5 They made all your planks of fir trees from Senir; 6 Of oaks from Bashan they made your oars; 7 Fine embroidered linen from Egypt was what you spread for your sail; 8 "Inhabitants of Sidon and Arvad were your oarsmen; 9 Elders of Gebal and its wise men 10 "Those from Persia, Lydia, and Libya 11 Men of Arvad with your army were on your walls all around, 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. 26 Your oarsmen brought you into many waters, 27 "Your riches, wares, and merchandise, 28 The common-land will shake at the sound of the cry of your pilots. 29 "All who handle the oar, 30 They will make their voice heard because of you; 31 They will shave themselves completely bald because of you, 32 In their wailing for you 'What city is like Tyre, 33 'When your wares went out by sea, 34 But you are broken by the seas in the depths of the waters; 35 All the inhabitants of the isles will be astonished at you; 36 The merchants among the peoples will hiss at you; | |||
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| Ezekiel 25:1-27:36 v. 1 The word of the Lord – This phrase is found 262 times in our bible and 60 times in the book of Ezekiel alone. The phrase represents a direct communication from God to Ezekiel. v. 2 Son of man – Literally, "Son of Adam." This is a humbling title to remind Ezekiel that he is just like the men he is prophesying to, and that he shouldn't become prideful in his position as God's messenger. Ezekiel is addressed by this title 93 times in the NKJV bible. Ezekiel's name is only mentioned twice in the entire book (Eze. 1:3; 24:24). prophesy against them – to pronounce a word of judgment from the Lord against them Ammonites – A tribal people descended from Lot's son Ammon. They dwelt immediately east of Israel and were hostile enemies to the Hebrew people. v. 3 Aha – A mocking laugh equivalent to, "Ha, ha." The Ammonites were rejoicing over Israel's calamities and captivity. My sanctuary – the Temple of the Lord, which had been burnt and desecrated by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon Profaned – chalal (Heb.) vandalize, defile, pollute, desecrate house of Judah – the southern kingdom of Israel v. 4 the men of the East – nomadic tribes of the desert east of Ammon encampments – a battlement, fortress or a hamlet castle, habitation, palace v. 5 Rabbah – the capital city of the Ammonites located east of the Jordan Then you shall know that I am the LORD – This phrase reveals God's desire to be properly known as the One true God. v. 6 clapped your hands, stamped your feet – a sign of great celebration (6:11) disdain – she'at (Heb.) despite, contempt v. 7 plunder – baz (Heb.) spoil, booty, robbery, spoiling, prey v. 8 Moab – The land immediately south of Ammon, east of the Dead Sea inhabited by the descendants of the eldest daughter of Lot. Moab was a son of Lot through an incestuous relationship with his daughter (Gen. 19:35-37). Seir – the land of Edom, a country south of Moab and south of the Dead Sea like all the nations – This was spoken as an insult to the Lord and His people. The insinuation was that Judah was no better off than the heathen and thus their God offers no advantage over other gods. v. 9 Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon, and Kirjathaim – three key defensive cities of Moab v. 12 Because of what Edom did – Edom had a long history of hostility and treachery against Israel beginning with their refusal to let Israel cross through their territory on the way to the Promised Land (Num 20:14-21). Much later, when Judah revolted in 588 BC, Edom sided with Babylon and aided Babylon in her assaults against Judah (Ps. 137:7, Jer. 49:7-22). v. 13 Teman – a district near Petra in central Edom (Jer. 49:7, 20) Dedan – a tribe and territory in South Edom (Jer. 49:8) v. 14 vengeance – neqamah (Heb.) revenge, to avenge, retaliate v. 15 Philistines – Inhabitants of the coastal plains along the Mediterranean west of Judah. These people were long-time enemies of Israel and continued to successfully resist Israel's conquest of Canaan until the time of David. They were never totally subdued, however, until Nebuchadnezzar brought them into captivity. v. 16 Cherethites – One of the principle tribes of the Philistines who were known as bowmen. At one point in Israel's history they were hired as King David's royal body guards (1Chron. 18:17). Ezekiel 26v. 1 eleventh year – the eleventh year of King Jehoiakim's exile (587-586 BC) Tyre – The island capitol of Phoenicia (present-day Lebanon). gateway of the peoples – Because of its geographical location, Tyre held a strategic position in the trade routes to the east. v. 3 sea causes its waves to come up – Invading armies are likened to the waves of the sea. And since Tyre was an island city this was a fitting analogy (Is. 17:12-13). v. 5 a place for spreading nets – Ancient fishermen would spread their nets out to dry on large barren, rocky places. God is describing how completely He would level the city of Tyre. It would become so barren that it would only be good for drying out fishnets. plunder – baz (Heb.) spoil, booty, robbery, spoiling, prey v. 6 daughter villages – Tyre's villages, which were situated on the mainland v. 7 I will bring against Tyre…Nebuchadnezzar – God used King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon to punish Tyre. After defeating Jerusalem, he moved his army north to attack Tyre in 585 BC. king of kings – A title used to describe a king who rules over many other kings (Ezra 7:12, Eze. 26:7, Dan. 2:37). v. 8 siege mound – dayeq (Heb.) The KJV translates this, "fort." After the fall of Jerusalem Nebuchadnezzar's 15-year siege began against Tyre. v. 9 towers – The elevated defensive watchtowers of a fortified (walled) city. v. 10 breached – baqa (Heb.) to break through or break open v. 11 pillars – matstsebah (Heb.) memorial stones, monument, obelisks v. 14 shall never be rebuilt – This was not immediately fulfilled by Nebuchadnezzar but ultimately fulfilled in the siege of Alexander the Great in 332 BC. v. 16 princes of the sea – Tyre's maritime trade associates called "kings" in 27:35. take off their embroidered garments – A sign of mourning. Mourners would exchange their festive clothing with sackcloth and cover themselves with ashes as a sign of great grief. v. 17 lamentation – qiynah (Heb.) an expression of grief or mourning; a dirge or lament often accompanied by the beating of the breast or on instruments v. 18 the coastlands – referring to all of Tyre's nautical trading partners v. 19 bring the deep upon you – A cataclysmic description of Tyre being swallowed up by the sea. v. 20 Pit – bowr (Heb.) a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or a prison) cistern, dungeon v. 21 Lord GOD – In this context God is expressing the surety of the preceding judgment by signing His name to it. Ezekiel 27v. 2 lamentation – qiynah (Heb.) an expression of grief or mourning; a dirge or lament often accompanied by the beating of the breast or on instruments Tyre – the island capitol of Phoenicia (present-day Lebanon) v. 3 I am perfect in beauty – An expression of Tyre's extreme arrogance & conceit. v. 4 Your borders – Tyre's boundaries and great influence extended far beyond its island shore. v. 5 your planks – Allegorical language. Tyre is now being likened unto a majestic ship in the midst of the sea with mast and planks and sails rather than an island. Senir – Sheniyr (Heb.) "snow mountain"; the Amorite name for Mount Hermon. Senir grew the best fir trees, from which the Tyrians made boards and planks for shipping. Lebanon – A wooded mountain range on the northern border of Israel where the best quality cedar trees were grown and cut. v. 6 Bashan – a district east of the Jordan known for its fertility Ashurites – ashur (Heb.) the cedar tree or some other light flexible wood; boxwood. Cyprus – Kittiyiy (Heb.) "bruisers" a general term for all islanders of the Mediterranean Sea. v. 7 linen from Egypt – This description of Tyre continues to highlight the highest quality of products from the best providers. The finest and whitest linen came from Egypt. Blue and purple – colors expressing royalty in ancient cultures Elishah – This location is not known for certain, but believed to be modern-day Sicily. v. 8 Sidon – An ancient Phoenician city, which rivaled Tyre 25 miles to the north on the Mediterranean coast. Arvad – another Phoenician city-island near Sidon v. 9 Gebal – an important maritime Phoenician town near Tyre between Sidon and Arvad (modern Jebeil). v. 10 from Persia, Lydia, and Libya – As the Tryrians were a trading people, they hired foreign troops into their service to fill their garrisons, defend their city, and fight for them in time of war. These troops were of various nations (Is. 66:19). splendor – hadar (Heb.) beauty, comeliness, excellency, glorious, glory, goodly, honor, majesty Gammad – gammad (Heb.) brave men, warriors, and valorous men. v. 12 Tarshish – A place on the Mediterranean. The exact location is disputed. silver, iron, tin, and lead – various valuable materials to a prominent city of this time v. 13 Javan – Greece. Not the Greeks of Europe or Asia Minor, but of a Greek settlement in Arabia. Tubal, and Meshech – two regions in east Asia Minor v. 14 Togarmah – Territory settled by the descendants of Togarmah, son of Gomer, grandson of Japheth, and great grandson of Noah. Probably the area known today as Armenia, which shares borders with Turkey and Iran. v. 15 Dedan – A large Island off the southwest coast of Asia Minor. Dedan was a major trading center and a gateway to the Aegean islands. v. 16 Syria – The name in the Old Testament given to the whole country which lay to the north-east of Phoenicia, extending to beyond the Euphrates and the Tigris. v. 17 Judah and the land of Israel – This reference dates the time of this "trading" to the time of the divided kingdom before the captivity (722-721 BC). Minnith – a place east of the Jordan in Ammonite territory; site unknown Millet – pannag (Heb.) an edible food, perhaps pastry v. 18 Damascus – An ancient trading city, capital of Syria, located in the plain east of Hermon, 130 miles (205 km) northeast of Jerusalem. Helbon – A town a few miles northwest of Damascus, modern Helbon is still noted for its fine grapes. v. 19 Dan – Either the inhabitants of the tribe of Dan in general, or of Laish, sometimes called Dan. v. 21 Arabia – Arab (Heb.) "Steppe-dwellers," the people inhabiting the country east and south of Canaan, the nomadic desert Bedouins. Kedar – the descendants of Kedar, a son of Ishmael (Gen. 25:13) v. 22 Sheba – a territory in SW Arabia Raamah – son of Cush, also a trading people v. 23 Haran – The city Abraham migrated to when he left Ur of the Chaldeans (Gen. 11:31), and where he stayed until his father died before leaving for the Promised Land. Located in Mesopotamia in Padan-aram at the foot of Mt. Masius between the Khabour and the Euphrates. Canneh – a city apparently in Mesopotamia Eden – Eden (Heb.), meaning pleasure. A place conquered by Assyria; probably located in the northwest of Mesopotamia. Sheba – a territory in SW Arabia Assyria – Ashshuwr (Heb.) Ashshur was the second son of Shem; Assyria was the country occupied by his descendants. The boundaries of Assyria differed greatly at different periods, Probably in the earliest times it was confined to a small tract of low country lying chiefly on the left bank of the Tigris. Gradually its limits were extended, until it came to be regarded as comprising the whole region between the Armenian mountains to the north and Baghdad to the south. Chilmad – Kilmad (Heb.) a city of Assyria v. 24 choice items – All the items listed in this verse were considered treasured gifts fit for royalty. v. 25 ships of Tarshish – The quality of vessels built by Hiram and Solomon to import precious cargo to Israel (2 Chron. 9:21; 20:36, 37). v. 26 east wind – referring to the fury of Nebuchadnezzar and his army conquering Israel (17:10) v. 28 common-land – the suburbs and open pastures v. 30 dust on their heads – Peoples of ancient cultures would throw dust upon the head and roll in ashes when expressing great grief and mourning (2 Sam. 1:2, Job 2:12, Lam. 2:10, Rev. 18:19). v. 31 shave themselves – Another act expressing great grief in ancient cultures (Eze. 7:18; Lev. 21:5; Deut. 14:1; Is. 15:2, 22:12). sackcloth – saq (Heb.) A very coarse and crude material used for bagging dry goods. This material was at times worn in ancient cultures to express mourning or humiliation because it was so uncomfortable and irritating to the skin. v. 32 lamentation – qiynah (Heb.) an expression of grief or mourning; a dirge or lament often accompanied by the beating of the breast or on instruments v. 33 your wares – Referring to Tyre's many quality goods and trade products. v. 35 isles will be astonished – The population of islands and continents bordering seas who traded with Tyre will be appalled and horrified at how this great city has fallen. 36 hiss at you – A cultural expression of mockery or contempt equivalent to modern day "booing" (1 Kings 9:8, Job 27:23, Is. 7:18, Jer. 19:8). | |||
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| For thus says the Lord GOD: "Because you clapped your hands, stamped your feet, and rejoiced in heart with all your disdain for the land of Israel, indeed, therefore, I will stretch out My hand against you, and give you as plunder to the nations; I will cut you off from the peoples, and I will cause you to perish from the countries; I will destroy you, and you shall know that I am the LORD." –Ezekiel 25:6-7 Lord, when we stop to think about it, it is honestly an amazing thing that You, who are so great and powerful and mighty, would break into our lives and speak to us through Your word, through prayer, through Your quiet, still voice, and through our encounters with others. What loving parent doesn't discipline a child who is willfully disobeying? And what loving parent doesn't instruct and correct when a child is ignorantly in disobedience? Your correcting hand is proof, Lord, that You do care about us and what happens to us. And for that we say, Amen. | |||
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25:6-7 For thus says the Lord GOD: "Because you clapped your hands, stamped your feet, and rejoiced in heart with all your disdain for the land of Israel, indeed, therefore, I will stretch out My hand against you, and give you as plunder to the nations; I will cut you off from the peoples, and I will cause you to perish from the countries; I will destroy you, and you shall know that I am the LORD."
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