“You boasted, O Tyre,
‘My beauty is perfect!’
4 You extended your boundaries into the sea.
Your builders made your beauty perfect.
5 You were like a great ship
built of the finest cypress from Senir.
They took a cedar from Lebanon
to make a mast for you.
6 They carved your oars
from the oaks of Bashan.
Your deck of pine from the coasts of Cyprus
was inlaid with ivory.
7 Your sails were made of Egypt’s finest linen,
and they flew as a banner above you.
You stood beneath blue and purple awnings
made bright with dyes from the coasts of Elishah.
8 Your oarsmen came from Sidon and Arvad;
your helmsmen were skilled men from Tyre itself.
9 Wise old craftsmen from Gebal did the caulking.
Ships from every land came with goods to barter for your trade. (Ezekiel 27)
‘My beauty is perfect!’
4 You extended your boundaries into the sea.
Your builders made your beauty perfect.
5 You were like a great ship
built of the finest cypress from Senir.
They took a cedar from Lebanon
to make a mast for you.
6 They carved your oars
from the oaks of Bashan.
Your deck of pine from the coasts of Cyprus
was inlaid with ivory.
7 Your sails were made of Egypt’s finest linen,
and they flew as a banner above you.
You stood beneath blue and purple awnings
made bright with dyes from the coasts of Elishah.
8 Your oarsmen came from Sidon and Arvad;
your helmsmen were skilled men from Tyre itself.
9 Wise old craftsmen from Gebal did the caulking.
Ships from every land came with goods to barter for your trade. (Ezekiel 27)
The tragedy is that the people relied on their own glory and wealth and forgot about God. In their hearts they felt they didn't need anyones help - after all, the whole world was coming to her for everything. Tyre felt like a City without equal.
But times change.
Conflict happens and wars rage around them.
They lose their attractive power and very soon, they are just another city fallen on hard times. The last word of the chapter tells the story:
The merchants among the nations
shake their heads at the sight of you,
for you have come to a horrible end
and will exist no more.’
Let us be reminded that we can't place our hopes and dreams on material success, because when this is not around anymore, where does it leave us?
The Story of Jesus teaches me that he was willing to leave the riches of heaven for the dusty streets of Palestine. He give it all up, so that he could offer eternal riches to each of us.
Living in Grace
D3LM3
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