이사야 Chapter 23

Translation: ESV

1

The oracle concerning Tyre. Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, without house or harbor! From the land of Cyprus it is revealed to them.

Key Message

Even the most flourishing trading city can be laid waste before God's judgment.

▸The oracle against Tyre begins.

The oracle against Tyre begins. Tarshish was at the far western end of the Mediterranean (Spain or North Africa), a destination to which Tyre's merchant ships sailed. The news that Tyre has been laid waste is carried to ships at sea.

Related Verses

Son of man, because Tyre said concerning Jerusalem, 'Aha, the gate of the peoples is broken; it has swung open to me. I shall be replenished, now that she is laid waste.'
2

Be still, O inhabitants of the coast; the merchants of Sidon, who cross the sea, have filled you.

Key Message

Human commercial prosperity is under God's sovereignty, and God accomplishes his will through history.

▸Sidon is another Phoenician port city north of Tyre.

3

And on many waters your revenue was the grain of Shihor, the harvest of the Nile; you were the merchant of the nations.

Key Message

Economic prosperity and global influence are not eternal; God governs all empires and cities throughout history.

▸Tyre played the role of middleman in trading Egyptian Nile produce (grain).

4

Be ashamed, O Sidon, for the sea has spoken, the stronghold of the sea, saying: 'I have neither labored nor given birth, I have neither reared young men nor brought up young women.'

Key Message

What was once powerful loses its function and suffers shame before God's judgment.

▸The sea (Tyre) laments that it has not been able to fulfill its role as a mother.

5

When the report comes to Egypt, they will be in anguish over the report about Tyre.

Key Message

In an economically connected world, the fall of one nation ripples through all others.

▸The news of Tyre's destruction will also shock Egypt.

6

Cross over to Tarshish; wail, O inhabitants of the coast!

Key Message

At the time of judgment, all humans can do is flee—this shows human helplessness.

▸The command for Tyre's inhabitants to cross over to Tarshish means taking refuge in flight.

7

Is this your exultant city whose origin is from days of old, whose feet carried her to settle far away?

Key Message

No city, however long its history and however great its prosperity, can be eternal before God's judgment.

▸Tyre was an ancient city that had flourished for a long time.

8

Who has purposed this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose merchants were princes, whose traders were the honored of the earth?

Key Message

Tyre's arrogance in grasping even political power through economic prosperity became the cause of its judgment.

▸Tyre was a 'bestower of crowns,' a city with the mighty influence to establish other kings.

9

The LORD of hosts has purposed it, to defile the pompous pride of all glory, to dishonor all the honored of the earth.

Key Message

God is the one who defiles the pompous pride of human glory; only God's glory is eternal.

▸The theological reason for Tyre's judgment is revealed.

10

Cross over your land like the Nile, O daughter of Tarshish; there is no restraint anymore.

Key Message

When the center of trade of an era falls, all that depended on it is affected.

▸Since Tyre's harbor is gone, Tarshish (Tyre's colony) no longer needs to be bound to Tyre.

11

He has stretched out his hand over the sea; he has shaken the kingdoms; the LORD has given command concerning Canaan to destroy its strongholds.

Key Message

Before God who governs the sea, even a sea fortress is powerless.

▸God stretching out his hand over the sea and shaking the nations recalls the act of parting the Red Sea during the Exodus.

12

He said: 'You will no more exult, O oppressed virgin daughter of Sidon; arise, cross over to Cyprus, even there you will have no rest.'

Key Message

Wherever one flees to escape God's judgment there is no peace; only returning to God is the true way.

▸Sidon also meets the same fate as Tyre.

13

Behold the land of the Chaldeans! This is the people that was not; Assyria destined it for wild beasts. They erected their siege towers, they stripped her palaces bare, they made her a ruin.

Key Message

History shows that even powerful cities can be laid desolate—this is the warning for Tyre.

▸Chaldea (Babylon) is also mentioned.

14

Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for your stronghold is laid waste.

Key Message

The strongholds and prosperity that humans have built are not eternal, and they fall before God's judgment.

▸The oracle is concluded with the same phrasing as verse 1.

15

In that day, Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years, like the days of one king. At the end of seventy years, it will happen to Tyre as in the song of the prostitute:

Key Message

God appoints even the period of judgment. The deadline of seventy years includes the promise of God's grace and restoration.

▸A prophecy that Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years.

16

'Take a harp; go about the city, O forgotten prostitute! Make sweet melody; sing many songs, that you may be remembered.'

Key Message

The cities of the world can be materially restored, but that restoration does not mean spiritual transformation.

▸The image of Tyre's restoration after seventy years is described through the parable of a prostitute.

17

At the end of seventy years, the LORD will visit Tyre, and she will return to her wages and will prostitute herself with all the kingdoms of the world on the face of the earth.

Key Message

Material restoration does not necessarily accompany spiritual transformation, and God knows this too.

▸Tyre's restoration is led by God.

18

Her merchandise and her wages will be holy to the LORD. It will not be stored or hoarded, but her merchandise will supply abundant food and fine clothing for those who dwell before the LORD.

Key Message

Even worldly wealth can be used as a tool for his people in God's hands.

▸An unexpected reversal occurs.