Isaiah
23 reminds me that we live in a strange time when success is
belittled in the name of fairness. “Rich” and “evil” are
linked, as if hard work and achievement by one, forces poverty on
everyone else. God is not against the wealthy. It is when money
replaces God as our source of hope and peace that we can get into
trouble. The chapter issues “A
prophecy against Tyre“, an
important seaport and commercial center. The twin cities of Tyre and
Sidon, “became the marketplace
of the nations“. Tyre had
strong economic ties to Israel and was a physically close neighbor
and trading partner. This city attempted to be all things to all
people, working with God’s people, but ultimately following after
the money. Isaiah writes, “For
Tyre is destroyed and left without house or harbor“.
The thing that made the city special was ruined. Isaiah adds, “Be
silent… you
merchants of Sidon, whom the
seafarers have enriched… the harvest of the Nile
was the revenue of Tyre“.
What was the message preached by this city? Perhaps that money will
bring peace and security? He continues, “Be
ashamed, Sidon, and you fortress of the sea“.
The chapter includes a quote that indicates sad priorities, “I
have neither been in labor nor given birth; I have neither reared
sons nor brought up daughters“.
Have your priorities been misplaced?
Isaiah
reports on the reaction to Tyre’s fall: “they
will be in
anguish at the report from Tyre“.
Apparently the city would be unrecognizable. “Is
this your city of revelry… the bestower of crowns… whose traders
are renowned in the earth?”
Isaiah explains, “The LORD
Almighty planned it, to bring down her pride in all her splendor and
to humble all who are renowned on the earth“.
In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus taught about our first priority. “Is
not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? …For the
pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows
that you need them… But seek first His kingdom and His
righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well“.
What are you seeking first?
Isaiah
seems to be giving a warning to nations that worship wealth while
excluding God. “The LORD has
stretched out His hand over the sea and made its kingdoms tremble…
an order concerning Phoenicia
that her fortresses be destroyed…
Look at the land of the Babylonians… The Assyrians have made it a
place for desert creatures… they
stripped its fortresses bare and turned it into a ruin“.
Isaiah prophesied that, “Tyre
will be forgotten for seventy years“.
Why 70 years? Is that the span of a lifetime? I wonder if God is
telling you and me not to waste our life in pursuit of things that
have no lasting value. During this time, Isaiah refers to Tyre as
“you forgotten prostitute“.
But the chapter ends with hope for all of us that have made cash our
king. “At the end of seventy
years, the LORD will deal with Tyre… her profit and her earnings
will be set apart for the LORD…
Her profits will
go to those who live before the
LORD“. In Acts chapter 21 the
apostle Paul stayed with the Christians in Tyre as they ministered to
him. It seems the city was renewed by followers of Christ! Luke
16:10 reminds us, “Whoever can
be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and
whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with
much“. What are you doing
with the resources God has given to you?