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Isaiah 23 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
Babylon was the great city along the eastern side of the ancient world and Tyre was considered the great city of the west. Tyre was known for their fabulous wealth – a benefit to having a westward-facing city near the sea. Babylon and Tyre together represented everything that was significant in popular culture at that time. They had fame, beauty, wealth, and accomplishments too vast to mention.
We do not know for certain which event in history fulfilled this prophecy. Tyre was attacked at least five different times during Isaiah’s time until 332 BC. The reason none of these were fully successful is because of the unique design of the city. It consisted of the main city just offshore as well as a citadel on the island close by. If the main city came under attack, citizens would simply retreat to the citadel and wait for the attackers to be overcome.
The final destruction of Tyre, which the prophecy may speak of, was when Alexander the Great successfully overran the city and used it’s materials to build a bridge to the island, destroying the citadel. Legend has it Alexander was furious at the difficulty and persistence of the Tyrians, as well as the loss of his men, so he destroyed half the city. It has also been recorded that he crucified 2,000 of the leaders and sold 30,000 others into slavery. The city of Tyre has never been the same.
Just like the other cities, a similar application can be applied. The people were arrogant, prideful and wealthy. They thought they were completely self-sufficient. They believed nothing would overcome them. Ultimately, they placed their trust in all their “stuff” rather than God. The Lord spoke, and the results speak for themselves. We must heed the warning that the proud will fall!
There is no room for both total sacrifice to Jesus and the pride of our selfish desires. The Spirit and the flesh oppose each other, and a true teacher of the Word will be able to discern the difference. Repentance is the key. As the Lord picks apart our pride issues, we must be diligent in humbly confessing our waywardness.