Isaiah 23:1-3
The city of Tyre was a Mediterranean port city on the Phoenician coast. It was called the merchant of the nations. This city lived with an 'anything for money' ethic; which also served many nations thereby helping them to maintain good relations with everyone. However, it was now falling under God's judgment. While they bought and sold much, they also exported idolatry. Much of the idolatry in Israel and possibly some of Judah, came by the influence of Tyre and Sidon. This was particularly the case when Ahab was king. Jezebel was a princess of Sidon. (see 1 Kings 16:31).
Tarshish was some distant port that was a major place of shipping and trading. It may have been either Spain or Britain. The ships of Tarshish were famous cargo vessels that were capable of long voyages and were important to trade. These ships are referred to in many places in the bible – Isaiah 2:16; Isaiah 60:9; 1 Kings 10:22; 1 Kings 22:48; Psalms 48:7 Ezekiel 27:25; and Jonah 1:3. Tyre was a major port for these ships. In the near future, these ships would arrived in Cyprus and discover the fall of Tyre.
Sidon was another city nearby Tyre who prospered because of the trade. It was 20-25 miles to the north of Tyre. The two were almost always referred to in a pair and in turn represented the entire area. The grain from Shihor was probably from Egypt. Sihor is an unknown but seems associated with the Nile, so it may be one of the tributaries of the Nile.
Isaiah 23:4-9
Isaiah speaks the lament of Sidon. The sea plays the role of a barren woman; or a mother weeping for her child that is gone. Egypt will join in the wailing over the fall of Tyre. When the marketplace for nations falls, everyone will take notice and feel the pain. News will travel to Tarshish. The fall of the marketplace would affect the world.
The city of Tyre was from antiquity. It dates back to two thousand years before Christ. Who could do this horrible thing to such an old city? Who could bring this ancient city to nothing? God has done it. It was for His purpose to bring dishonor to the pride of all glory. The honorable will be brought to contempt. The people of the world trusted in Tyre and she would always be there. They were not relying on the Lord or His provision but on their own ways.
Isaiah 23:10-14
With Tyre removed, Tarshish has an open market with no competition. They can overflow the land. God stretched out His hand and with that things move, things happen! He shook the kingdoms and He commanded the destruction of these strongholds.
Tyre was a city full of pride. They were sure they could not be destroyed. The Assyrians tried but failed. Nebuchadnezzar had laid siege to it for 13 years and finally gave up. This city was under siege five times from the giving of this prophecy. After 70 years, Alexander shows up and builds a causeway to Tyre from the rubble of the city on the coast. He reached the island port by building this peninsula. See also Ezekiel 26:3-27:36.
Isaiah 23:15-18
Tyre would be forgotten about for 70 years. It was never completely wiped out and there is a city there today in the southern part of Lebanon. The 'song of the harlot' is reference to the practice that harlots would sing to bring attention to themselves. Tyre would again return as a harlot and commit her fornications on the earth. But she would not be allowed to do it for her own gain. She would return trade and her pay would be set apart for the Lord to support the land of Canaan. Tyre exists today.
©2018 Doug Ford
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