Isaiah 23

International trade is a way of life for all of the prosperous nations of the world. What that means is that a disaster in one land will have serious consequences for the economic life of other countries. We see something of the world of international business in the history of ancient Tyre, one of the nations that the Lord addresses in Isaiah 23.

Tyre was a place known for its ships and merchants. Many nations counted on trade with the Phoenicians. If Tyre were to fall, other powers would miss the economic benefit of their engagement with the businessmen of this port city. Isaiah lists Tarshish (apparently in Spain), Cyprus, and Egypt as among those who will be distressed with the coming trial that their trading partner will face.

Tyre will face a generation or more of trouble, and even the seas seem to be mourning the loss. The waters are personified here and are said to be made fruitless, with no birth of any descendants. The loss that places like Egypt face are not mere business failures. It is presented almost as grief over the death of a loved one. Egypt will be in anguish. Tarshish will wail. The loss of prosperity is like the loss of the most precious object of affection and devotion for these other lands across the waters.

There are few specifics in this prophecy that would help us to pinpoint the specific historic events that are being referred to in this chapter. What we do see clearly is the ultimate source of the trouble that Tyre will face. "The Lord of hosts has purposed it." We also see the reason for these events. It is because of the "pompous pride" of this land of commercial prosperity. God is able to bring dishonor upon the proud peoples of the earth, no matter how honored they may be in the opinion of their trading partners and in their own eyes.

It appears that there will be some period of disgrace and humiliation that God has ordained for this land. The Assyrians have been an agent of distress upon other places. Will they be used by God to humble proud Tyre? If He chooses such a thing, He can certainly make it happen. Like a forgotten prostitute, the nation is pictured in a pitiful journey around the cities of the world, singing songs of better days so that her memory will not be completely erased from the minds of the lands that once were her customers.

At the end of some defined period, Isaiah seems to say that her business will be restored to the benefit of the people of the Lord. God's purpose for even this proud city will certainly be accomplished.

When we have large accounts we imagine that we are gods and the masters of our own destiny. We proudly boast about our plans to go here and there and to make more and more. But we do not even know when our lives will be required of us. In a few short years it is the destiny of almost every man to be forgotten by others. Even if someone has established a memorial gift or some wonderful monument, it is the destiny of almost every man to be unknown by those who look at the name on the trophy and wonder who this person was.

It is part of the deceptiveness of riches that cause a man to think that this will never happen to him. The story of our Savior is so very different. He was born in a state of profound humiliation, and he died on a cross after soldiers had cast lots for the garment he was wearing. Yet at the name of Jesus ever knee shall one day bow, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

We don't think very much about Tyre and Sidon today. Their day has come and gone. But the poor man who came to give His life for sinners is still the great lover of the church, and He will be highly exalted forever and ever. Kings and kingdoms shall all pass away, but there is something about the person of Jesus Christ and the story of the events of His life and death that convinces us that He is worthy of the most serious consideration this day and always.