Ezekiel 26:1-2
The eleventh-year date isn't accompanied by an associated month. This creates a problem for any real accuracy at dating and opens the door to much speculation. However, it is over a year later than date given in chapter 24. Tyre had joined the nations that rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar during Zedekiah's reign in Jerusalem. Yet, after Jerusalem's destruction, Tyre is celebrating as if their trade and political standing among nations would be enhanced.
The gate was the center of politics, policy, judgments and so forth. The gate was the heart of the city. Tyre saw Jerusalem as a center of political power for the region that was now broken. This broken gateway would bring a new central power. Tyre thought their place in this new power structure would be greatly enhanced.
Ezekiel 26:3-6
This celebration of the Jerusalem's judgment brings the wrath of God against them. The Lord would bring judgment on them. Many nations were present in the Babylonian army by way of many foreign soldiers from conquered lands and mercenaries. This was also true of the army of Alexander the Great. The Lord promised he would make this like the top of a rock. This island fortress would be a barren rock in the middle of the sea, good only for spreading out nets to dry. The destruction was called for, when it happened, all would know He is Lord.
Ezekiel 26:7-14
The prophecy describes the typical actions of a siege against a city leading to the total destruction. Nebuchadnezzar did siege Tyre and destroyed the coastal, sister cities. He laid siege to the main city for 13 years, never destroying it. Eventually, there was a treaty in which the royal house was deported and the city came into submission of Babylon.
The final destruction and plunder of Tyre happened at the hand of Alexander the Great who used the debris from the destroyed coastal cities to build a causeway to the island. Alexander also had a navy capable of cutting off the city from the supplies and trade that came by water. While the ancient city would be a good place to lay out your fishing nets to dry it is also fascinating to see the ruins and incredible architecture. It must have been an amazing place..
Ezekiel accurately depicts standard siege tactics in the ancient Near East. A siege wall protects the attackers below. The mound or ramp gives battering rams and troops access to the city wall. Siege towers give the attackers a high vantage point, so that archers could protect the soldiers who were building the siege ramp or manning the battering rams. Shields protect the siege engines. Once the city was breached, the inhabitants would be killed by the sword or rounded up for slavery or deportation. The city's wealth was plundered and the walls and houses were demolished. (Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., ° Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Eze 26:8–12). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.)
Ezekiel 26:15-18
The city was an incredible fortress which became a source of great pride. This was the sin of Tyre, her pride. The sound of the fall must have been moving; to destroy pride and replace it with fear. To imagine the princes stepping from their thrones, laying aside their royal vestiges and instead being clothed with fear and trembling.
The sin of Tyre was the sin of Pride. They were wealthy and didn't feel anyone could or would harm them. They were left asking, is not the wealth of nations was not enough? Is not an island fortress sufficient? Is not wisdom, power and shrewdness enough? Can't man stand on his own and have his way? The Lord, He is God. He would bring pride low and show that the finest, most powerful and glistening example to instill pride would come to rubble in His power. Then, everyone would know, He is Lord.
Is our wealth undoing us? See Revelation 18 for judgment on the great city.
Ezekiel 26:19-26
The great waters that once made her rich would now cover over her. This is the picture of being swallowed up by the dark primordial waters. She would not rise again but go down to death. This would strike fear in those who heard of this fall. To view the destruction is to view the power of God and his ability to make His word true.
©2019 Doug Ford
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