As we have said, Ezekiel 27 is a second dirge, a funeral song of Tyre. Using the metaphor of a ship, the dirge contains three parts. Verses 1-9 show Tyre as a glorious ship. In verses 10-24, Tyre is seen as a ship of great commercial enterprise. Then in verses 25-36 Tyre, the magnificent ship is destroyed by the east wind, leaving her trading partners mourning its loss.
Again,
the fact of Tyre’s pride cannot be missed. She was a magnificent ship made of
the finest materials from all over the world. Overloaded with merchandise, she
proudly set sail into the sea, into the deep waters. Deluded, Tyre the proud
ship was oblivious that she was not in control. While she could dictate the
trade, she had no control over the wind. So unexpectedly, in the heart of the
sea, she encountered the east wind. This is by way of saying that she was
attacked by Babylon. And everything was lost in that attack, the merchandise,
the wealth, as well as every mariner on deck. Remember the handlers of the ship
were wise and skilful sailors from the ancient world, yet they were of no help.
Everyone sank into the sea, leaving the
world to lament and mourn her loss.
In
verses 35-36, the reactions of the people were variedly described. The
inhabitants in the coastland are said to be greatly appalled; the kings, are greatly
troubled; and the merchants greatly astonished. And Tyre herself would be greatly terrified because she
would cease to exist forever.
Speak of Tyre and pride will come to
mind. And pride is an attitude that we must not have. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit
before stumbling.” When we are proud, we will not be able to rightly appraise
ourselves. The warning of God through Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:12 still stands. He said, “Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.”
No comments:
Post a Comment