Isaiah: Humble and Dependent

Isaiah 23

The book of Isaiah has been referred to as “the miniature Bible.” The sixty-six chapters correspond to the sixty-six books of Scripture. The first thirty-nine chapters relate to the Old Testament’s emphasis on righteousness, while the last twenty-seven chapters (Isa. 40-66) focus on God’s grace. The entire book is grounded in Christ's work and the renewal he brings.

During Isaiah’s time, the people of Israel had strayed from God. As God promised in the Mosaic Law, disobedience carries consequences (Lev 26:14-39; Deut. 27:15-26; 28:15-68). In Isaiah 1-12, the prophet warns Judah about the impending destruction. However, God’s people were stubborn; they relied on themselves and military alliances for protection. In chapters 13-23, Isaiah cautions Judah that all the nations they wish to partner with will fall, reminding them that God is their only source of strength.

One of the countries Judah wanted to partner with was Phoenicia (in modern-day Lebanon), known for its strategically positioned seaport city of Tyre, located about one hundred miles north of Jerusalem. Tyre, situated on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, was called “the merchant of the nations” (Isa. 23:3). During their reigns, David and Solomon benefited from Phoenician workers and building materials (2 Sam. 5:11; 1 Kgs. 5:8-9). In Solomon’s day, large ships from Tarshish (southern Spain) brought goods for trade (1 Kgs. 10:22). Unfortunately, Tyre’s success led to pride and its eventual downfall. Isaiah told the ships of Tarshish to wail because the great trading center of the Mediterranean was lost. Tyre would be “laid waste, without house or harbor!” (Isa. 23:1, 14).

How can a city as strong and successful as Tyre fall?

Isaiah 23:8-9
Who has purposed this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose merchantswere princes, whose traders were the honored of the earth? The Lord of hosts has purposed it, to defile the pompous pride of all glory, to dishonor all the honored of the earth.

This passage is today’s Anchor Point. I will make comments on it later.

Isaiah explained that God would restore Tyre in seventy years. In 701 BC, the Assyrians installed Ethbaal III to rule the city. Around 630 BC, Assyria began to lose dominance, allowing Tyre to regain its status and trade. However, instead of being humbled, they returned to their arrogant ways. Isaiah likened Tyre to an old prostitute who loves to sing songs for attention.

Isaiah 23:16
Take a harp; go about the city, O forgotten prostitute! Make sweet melody;sing many songs, that you may be remembered.

The prophet warns that Tyre would return to “her wages and will prostitute herself with all the kingdoms of the world on the face of the earth” (Isa. 23:17). Interestingly, Isaiah 23 ends with this statement.

Isaiah 23:18
Her merchandise and her wages will be holy to the Lord. It will not be stored or hoarded, but her merchandise will supply abundant food and fine clothing for those who dwell before the Lord.

It is unclear what this verse refers to. Some say it speaks of Tyre providing materials for the Jews who returned from captivity to rebuild the temple (Ezra 3:7).^[1] Others suggest it pertains to the millennial kingdom when Tyre's affluence “will be holy to the Lord” (see Zech. 9:3). ^[2]

Let’s conclude this chapter about Tyre and God’s judgment on the nations (Isa. 13-23) by discussing two key principles from today’s Anchor Point: Isaiah 23:8-9 (see above).

Two Takeaways:

• This passage reminds us that God is in charge. No one can thwart his purposes (Isa. 14:27). He works in history to fulfill his will. He orchestrates all things to achieve his intended end. Nothing is random or happenstance. No person or nation can stand against him. The entire section of Isaiah 13-23 emphasizes this simple but weighty truth: Do not trust in anything but God! All wealth, power, and position will amount to nothing before him.
  
• God will “never make peace with human pride.” God is God alone. He will “defile the pompous pride” and “dishonor all the honored.” He desires his people to honor him and follow all his ways. God proved to Judah that he was in charge. Their strength lay not in aligning with other countries; he would provide them with everything they needed.Pride leads to destruction (Prov. 16:18). This applies to nations... and... to our personal lives. As believers, we must humble ourselves before God. James says it this way: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you” (James 4:10).

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on God’s warning to Tyre and Sidon in Isaiah 23. Focus on our Anchor Point: Isaiah 23:8-9 as you consider the purposes that God has for your life.

Talking to God: Ask God to keep you humble and always dependent on him.

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Every day is a day of spiritual renewal as we follow hard after Jesus.