September 30, Isaiah 23
The LORD of hosts has purposed it, to defile the pompous pride of all glory, to dishonor all the honored of the earth. - Isaiah 23:9
Do you ever read the news and shake your head in disgust about the sad and broken state of the world around us? Do news reports you see and hear make you anxious about the future? Chapter 23 is a good reminder for us all about something we need to know when we feel threatened by ominous forces around us.
The second section of Isaiah that started back in Chapter 13 concludes in Chapter 23. God sent Isaiah with burdens or oracles about a dozen nations, including Israel and Judah. In this chapter, the oracles are addressed to Tyre, Sidon and the people of Phoenicia. Isaiah predicted the fall of these proud, prosperous people who lived along the Mediterranean coast. Isaiah foretold how in the coming centuries, the hand of God would be extended in judgment against them, destroying their cities and stripping them of their wealth. He also saw that after a seventy-year period of punishment, Tyre would be restored as part of God’s plan to bless his people.
The seafaring Tyrians grew wealthy in the shipping business. They fearlessly sailed the open waters of the Mediterranean Sea when others’ fears kept them hugging the seacoast when they dared to venture out on the water. The Phoenicians used their ships to create a conduit between surplus grain grown in Egypt and customers to buy that grain around the Mediterranean Sea. It was a profitable business model for everyone involved.
But the Phoenicians also traded and shipped another cargo that brought the wrath of God down on them. They were ancient human traffickers. They stole poor people or bought surplus captives from conquerors, and sold them in those same seaports where they delivered their grain and other products. These ruthless kidnappers and exploiters of others’ misery delivered many human beings into the hands of willing buyers in other lands. Isaiah foresaw God’s just judgment against these wicked people when he saw the slave traders themselves walking barefoot as captives to far away lands.
The Bible tells how God raised and lowered nations to suit his purpose and accomplish his will. The Babylonians would be a great nation by the time that Nebuchadnezzar took Jerusalem and Judah fell captive. But over a century before that happened, Isaiah predicted their rise from a nation of no consequence in world affairs to become that great nation. God raised them up, used them for his purposes and then allowed them to be conquered after they became conquerors.
From the proud wealthy Phoenicians to the ruthless Assyrians who conquered them to the Babylonians who conquered them, God was in control. No matter how powerful, rich or well- fortified any nation might be, it was defenseless when God stretched out his hand against them in judgment.
Isaiah also predicted that Tyre would be granted a reprieve after 70 years. They would again rise to prominence and wealth in the shipping business. God would use their prosperity and the transportation routes they established to bless and serve his own people scattered across the Mediterranean basin. Those ships of Tyre would provide food, clothing and transportation to God’s people while enriching international economies through trade.
Do we believe that God still rules over all the kingdoms and nations of the world? It is important to know and believe this fact today. It helps us hear news without anxiety, and gives us a peace that others cannot know in a violent world and uncertain times.
God still hates pride. God still abhors the evil of human trafficking that is a blight on our times and world today. When the Phoenicians became proud and defied all principles of decency to grow wealthy in their wicked trade, God judged them. The same judgment awaits all those who defy God, raise themselves up in haughty pride and mistreat people around them. We need to remember that, humble ourselves and keep trusting God.
Copyright © 2023 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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