In the previous chapter, the nations around Tyre lamented its loss of power and influence. In chapter 27, the Lord told Ezekiel to write a lament against Tyre.
Read Ezekiel 27:1-9.
- Tyre boasted in their splendor and perfection.
- It was a fine city built of pine and cedar.
- The city boasted of an excellent merchant marine trade.
- Oak formed oars for their ships, and the ships were made of cypress.
- They imported the finest linen and other fabrics for their sails and banners.
- They employed skilled men to row their ships.
- Excellent craftsmen sailed on board to maintain the vessels.
- Other marine merchants approached to trade with Tyre’s ships.
In what ways do people today boast in splendor, perfection, and skill?
Read Ezekiel 27:10-11.
- The lament also included Tyre’s land army, reminding readers the city/state influenced those on land as well as at sea.
- Tyre’s soldiers came from other nations to serve in the army.
- The army’s weapons were displayed for all to see Tyre’s splendor and power.
- Men from other nations guarded Tyre’s walls and towers.
- The guards also displayed their weapons to add to Tyre’s beauty and splendor.
What might be the significance of the lament addressing also the land army?
What do you infer from the military contributing to Tyre’s displays of splendor?
Read Ezekiel 27:12-24.
- There follows a list of nations that did business with Tyre, what they bought and sold, and why.
- Note the wide variety and riches Tyre received through these trades.
- Tarshish exchanged metals for Tyre’s wealth of goods.
- Greece, Tubal, and Meshech traded slaves and bronze to obtain Tyre’s wares.
- Beth Togarmah traded horses for Tyre’s goods.
- Rhodes and other coastland communities paid in ivory and ebony.
- Aram traded turquoise, coral, and rubies, and valuable fabrics for Tyre’s wealth of merchandise.
- Judah and Israel paid in wheat, oil, and other agricultural products for Tyre’s wares.
- Damascus traded in wine and wool for Tyre’s great wealth of goods.
- Danites and Greeks traded iron, cassia, and calamus for Tyre’s merchandise. Cassia was a spice used in making the anointing oil for the Tabernacle, and calamus was another plant also used in the anointing oil.1
- Dedan traded saddle blankets.
- Arabia and Kedar paid in lambs, rams, and goats.
- Merchants from Sheba and Raamah exchanged spices, precious stones, and gold for Tyre’s merchandise.
- Haran, Canneh, and Eden, and other merchants, traded fine textiles in the marketplace.
- Tyre had created quite a circle of prosperity! They managed their assets well to create a wealth of merchandise to trade and further increase their resources.
What stands out to you from this list of Tyre’s commercial dealings? Why?
How do we see similar principles at work today?
Read Ezekiel 27:25-28.
- Ezekiel turned his attention back to Tyre’s merchant marine business.
- Tyre employed ships from Tarshish to carry the city’s wares.
- The sailors traveled to the high seas, where the east wind broke them to pieces.
- In the tempest, Tyre lost it all, merchandise and everyone on board, in a shipwreck.
- The loss was so devastating it could be said the city of Tyre itself was swallowed by the sea.
- The storm was so great an earthquake was felt on shore.
If you lived in Tyre, what would be your reaction to news of the loss at sea? Why?
Why do you think God chose a storm as part of His plan to completely destroy Tyre?
Read Ezekiel 27:29-34.
- Those in the merchant marine business still on shore mourned the loss and abandoned their plans to sail at that time.
- They lamented over Tyre’s loss and declared no city was silenced like Tyre, swallowed by the sea.
- Tyre’s merchant marine industry benefited many nations with wealth and merchandise.
- The loss affected the whole earth at that time.
What would it take today for a cataclysmic event to have such a widespread effect?
Read Ezekiel 27:35-36.
- Those remaining on land were appalled and astonished. The word used here also means desolated or destroyed.2 It’s as if Ezekiel used this word intentionally for its double meaning.
- Those who witnessed the “destruction of God’s judgment” were horrified and terrified at the calamities from God.3
- They had worried expressions due to the “threatening situation.”4
- The land merchants spoke against Tyre.
- Ezekiel’s lament echoed the Lord’s declaration:
- Tyre came to a disastrous end and would be no more.
Last week we read the historical summary of Tyre’s complete and total destruction.
What effect does God’s wrath and judgment have on survivors?
Are all survivors part of God’s remnant? Why or why not?
What is the message in these final verses for us today?
Let’s step back from the details for the overview. God told Ezekiel to write a lament. Ezekiel used more than one word for “lament,” as well as at least five other words having to do with mourning. Together, these words convey this song of lament was one of bitter, anguished mourning, a mournful expression of deep despair at economic disaster, crying out in affliction, and wailing in grief and humiliation.5 In addition, in the final verses make it clear that the survivors’ reactions were based on a knowledge this calamity happened by the Sovereign Lord’s hand. Woe to those who incur the wrath of God and to those who witness the resulting destruction.
How might this passage encourage us to gently lead others to turn toward God and the redemption He offers?
- Warren Baker, D.R.E., Eugene Carpenter, Ph.D. The Complete Word Study Dictionary: Old Testament. (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2003), 976, 1001
- Ibid., 1164
- Ibid., 1183, 139
- Ibid., 1068
- Ibid., 663, 636, 729, 988, 299, 135