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Devotional thoughts (Monday through Thursday mornings) from the pastor of Exeter Presbyterian Church in Exeter, NH // Sunday Worship 10:30am // 73 Winter Street

Monday, May 19, 2008

Ezekiel 27

Tyre was a very special ancient city of the Phoenicians. An island fortress, it was a major participant in trade with many other nations. Many cities and nations are filled with civic or tribal pride. Tyre was no exception. She was proud of the way she had adorned herself with all of the goods of the world around her. She said of herself, “I am perfect in beauty.” These are not the words of someone who knows the One who is the Source of every blessing. These are the words of a nation who believes that she is herself like a god.

How did she get to this point of such a high self-estimate? She had builders who made her such a great city. Leading men from her past had made her a jewel of the seas. She was like the most beautiful sailing vessel, with choice wood, sails, and even rowing men from all the best places. It was as if these other lands existed in order to make Tyre great. They existed to bring her beauty and glory at the direction of her leading men.

Men who would have been elders back in the places of their own heritage were resources to be used for this wonderful ship. They should feel honored to work on such a vessel, even if they only made sure that there were no leaks on this boat. Men of power from other nations were easily attracted to the service of Tyre. They were either sold as slaves in her extensive trade, or hired themselves out as mercenaries, and rich Tyre was the highest bidder. These men added to the beauty of this ship. Their very presence told the story of the grandeur of this city.

How is it that such a small piece of land becomes so well endowed with minerals and men, animals and ornaments of beauty and grandeur? They trade with many places and they do it well. They become proud and beautiful. They clothe themselves in apparel that fits their own assessment of their worth. It would seem that nothing can stop them.

Tucked away in the midst of the names of their trading partners we find the names of the nations that are supposed to be the beautiful possession of the Lord God. Judah and Israel are apparently expected to join with all the other nations in being happy for the privilege of serving on this great vessel of Tyre. They can simply line up with some names that we recognize and many that we do not, and be happy to trade with Tyre. Here is a ship, a city, that is full. She is heavy laden with goods from all over, and she is filled with grandeur. She stands for all the cities of the world that have found a way to be the dog, requiring others to be the tail. She is heavy with more than commodities. She is loaded with pride.

This beautiful ship is headed out onto the high seas, but there is a God whose voice commands the wind and the waves, and He will judge Tyre. All her commodities, her wealth, and her skilled craftsmen will not be able to save her from the God of creation and providence. There are seas that are higher than the bravest men can take. The people watching her destruction from the shore will not be able to do anything to help her. All their tears cannot save this city. She is doomed.

As she lived, so she dies. She made her life by the sea, and the seas seem to take it all away. The tide of merchandise came into her city over the centuries, but the wave of God’s judgment through a conquering power will destroy her. She has come to a dreadful end, and she shall be no more.

Not everyone lives a life of comfort in this world. Some have all that they can do to scrape for their daily bread. Yet there are some that have economic advantages. They may have resources or military might. They may have intelligence and strategic insight. Often they have the inheritance of men from days gone by and the remaining legacy of earlier societies of some character. Better men have labored and their lesser descendants have received. Such individuals and societies have a special burden, for it is harder for rich men to enter the kingdom of heaven than it is for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.

All the wealth of men and nations has a purpose. God gives us resources to use for something more than ourselves. No amount of wealth can purchase for us a free pass out of the curse of sin and misery. Only through the precious blood of Jesus Christ can forgiveness come to us. The gift of His righteousness is credited to us through simple faith. A rich man must learn to loosen his grip on his possessions in order to embrace the Savior who alone can bring us through the storm of divine judgment. Consider the redemption that you have been given by God. It is a free gift from Him, and your greatest blessing. Be willing to use the riches of this world for the pleasure of Your Father. All the pride of men and all their wealth and power can be gone in a moment. The riches of eternity that we have in Christ are forever.

posted by Pastor Magee @ 7:00 AM

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