Isaiah 23
-Isaiah began his oracles (burdens)
against the nations of his region in the east with Babylon (Isaiah 13), but now
finishes with Tyre and Sidon (Phoenicia) in the west along the Mediterranean
Coast to the north of the Holy Land. This was a proud and prosperous ancient
city and area that was absolutely famous for its trade and early language
development. They had an enormously large merchant center because of their huge
seaport, which increased their wealth to the point of extravagance and the
proliferation of evil (Isaiah 23:3, 8). Tyre is continually rebuked by the
prophets of God for their luxurious and idolatrous lifestyles (Jeremiah 25:22,
27; 47:4, Ezekiel 26-28, Joel 3:4-8, Amos 1:9-10, Zechariah 9:3-4). Here we see
that the context of the message is to draw Israel’s dependence from this
worldly alliance back into trust in the Sovereign LORD. Tyre and Sidon will be
shamed, and her wealth and colonizing power will disappear at the plan of the
Almighty. He is the One who defiles the pride of all beauty set up against His
Kingdom. He despises the honored of the earth (Isaiah 23:9). He will restrain
His judgment no more. He will stretch out His Hand over the sea and make the
kingdoms tremble at His will. There will be no more exultation in this west
coast land even if they try to make their escape to the island of Cyprus. They
will find no rest for themselves. Assyria is coming to make waste of them and
appoint their fortunes for desert creatures as an instrument of the LORD. The
strongholds will be destroyed, and their trading partners, like Egypt and
Tarshish (possibly Spain), will anguish and wail for them without being able to
give support (Isaiah 23:4-5, 14). In that day, which can be speculated on as
literal prophecy (either 700-630 B.C. or 605-536 B.C. when they were conquered)
or possibly symbolic (a longer period of time which will extend into the
eschaton), Tyre will be forgotten for 70 years. At the end of this period of
ambiguity, she will return, but she will again go back to her harlot’s wages
with all the kingdoms of the earth, which are set up against God. At this time,
the LORD will set apart her gain and increase for “sufficient food and choice
attire for those who dwell in the presence of the LORD (Isaiah 23:15-18).”
*Application* The things of this world are passing away, but the glory of the
LORD will last forever. Be a part of His eternal Kingdom and quit thinking in
the temporary (1 Corinthians 7:31, Hebrews 1:10-12, James 1:10, 2 Peter 3:10, 1
John 2:17). God will use everything, including the produce of His enemies, to
benefit and bless His chosen people of faith.
Verse to Memorize: Isaiah 23:9
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