Read: Ezekiel 27:1-28:26; Hebrews 11:17-31; Psalm 111:1-10; Proverbs 27:15-16
Tyre was the center of all the trade on the Mediterranean Sea.
They founded their colonies on the coasts and neighboring islands of the Aegean Sea, in Greece, on the northern coast of Africa, at Carthage and other places, in Sicily and Corsica, and in Spain at Tartess. They were known for their purple dye, weaving, beautiful glass, precious jewels, and engraving. They imported the best from all the lands around them. The people were steeped in idolatry and all sorts of evil sins.
Tyre consisted of two parts. One was on the mainland, called "Old Tyre.” The other was built on a small, rocky island about a half-a-mile from the shore. It was a place of great strength. It was besieged by Shalmaneser for five years, and by Nebuchadnezzar (B.C. 586-573) for thirteen years, apparently without success. But later, it fell under the power of Alexander the Great, after a siege of only seven months. Despite its capture, it remained a place of prominent commerce until the Christian era. It is referred to in Matt 11:21 and Acts 12:20. In A.D. 1291 it was taken by the Saracens, and has remained a desolate ruin ever since.
Ezekiel used the allegory of Tyre as being a great merchant ship carrying all the finest goods. It’s destiny was a total shipwreck. All the nations would be appalled at its end.
God rebuked the ruler of Tyre because he thought he was a god. He was the perfect picture of Satan. Then God gives us the story of Lucifer’s downfall.
Lucifer was in heaven as a guardian cherub who walked upon the fiery stones in heaven. He was arrayed in every precious stone and blameless at creation. But then wickedness was found in him which filled him with violence and sin. His heart became proud because of his beauty and his wisdom was corrupted. God threw him to earth and made a spectacle of him before kings of the earth. His own fire will consume him.
Sidon was Tyre’s mother city. It was a fishery known also for its arts and manufacturing. Their gods were Baal and Ashterah. Ezekiel prophesied plague, and the sword to bring her down.
Once these two principalities were gone, Israel would be able to return to her land and live in safety. Tyre means “to distress” and Sidon means “a hunting”. Once the one who hunts us down and causes us to fear is conquered in our lives we are able to return to our rest and be safe.
All of the people mentioned in Hebrews 11 are pictures of the main characters in God’s great plan. Abraham as a type of Father God, offered his only son to come to earth to die, knowing that he would receive him back. Issac was a type of Jesus who blessed his disciples and spoke into their future. Joseph was a type of Jesus who gave us a glimpse into heaven and our mansions that God has prepared for us. Moses’s parents were like Mary and Joseph who had to hide their son from death. Moses was a type of Jesus who refused to take the kingdom by force but chose to suffer with his Jewish brothers because he knew that enduring the cross would bring salvation to the world.
We are the people who passed through the Red Sea. We do that through salvation. We leave the sins of Egypt and cross over to the other side. Our enemies, like the walls of Jericho, fall before us because we are empowered by the Holy Spirit. The sinners of the world will be saved through our testimony.
Lord, your Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. May we walk in your light today.
No comments:
Post a Comment