CALVARY PANDAN one of the major sea ports used by many nations to reach into the -PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH hinterland of Syria, , and other parts of the known world at DHW BIBLE CLASS that time. LESSON 23 Her reputation as a great seaport was well known to all. Fausset described Tyre as “In , E. of CHAPTER 23 the Mediterranean, 20 miles S. of . Justin says the Sidonians founded Tyre after having been Theme: “Naval Power is no power defeated by the king of Ascalon, 1209 before God!” B.C. according to the Parian marble. A double city, part on the mainland, part THEME VERSE on an island nearly one mile long, and separated from the continent by a Isaiah 23:9 (KJV) “The LORD of hosts strait half a mile broad. Justin (xi. 10) hath purposed it, to stain the pride of records the tradition of the inhabitants all glory, and to bring into contempt all that there was a city on the mainland the honourable of the earth.” before there was one on the island.” [Fausset’s Bible Dictionary, Swordsearcher 6.1]. Naval power has INTRODUCTION always been seen in the olden days as Tyre (means “rock”) was a a specialised power because not many Phoenician port city cum island. It was countries had it, and many countries a formidable city of great influence and depended on it for trade and long history. Half of the city was on the dominance of the coast and the other half was on an as well as the rest of the known world island making Tyre one of the most since two thirds of the world are enviable cities of the ancient world. covered by water. Her strategic location east of the Tyre was a nation of pride and Mediterranean Sea made her a sea distinction in the eyes of man and in port that could reach all of coastal her own eyes. As early as the days of northern Africa including , as well Joshua, she was already known as a as all the southern cities and nations of strong city when the city was first modern day Europe. Merchant city mentioned in Joshua 19:29. This was how the Bible described her in chapter teaches that no power is verse 11. Indeed she was a city of greater than God’s power no matter merchants with her port so how unique and special man might strategically located for all kinds of think or say in his pride and arrogance. trade and commerce. Inland cities The God of will bring them down were only reached by sea in those and put them in their proper place as days through sea ports and Tyre was DHW LESSON 23 ISAIAH 23 he determines in His absolute message of destruction and ravaging. sovereignty. Not a house would be left standing. Every house would be in ruins so that OUTLINE there would be nothing to enter into 1. The Glory Of A City Is Not even if there is a door. This also Glory! (vv. 1-8); indicates that these houses would be beyond repair. 2. The LORD Is In Absolute Control (vv. 9-12); This message of her ruin would come from the land of Chittim and be 3. New Superpowers Replace The revealed to them. Where is Chittim? Old (vv. 13-16); Albert Barnes rightly explained, “In 4. Tyre Will Be Given To God’s regard to the meaning of the word People (vv. 17-18). "Chittim," the following is the note of Gesenius on this verse: 'Among the

three different opinions of ancient and COMMENTARY modern interpreters, according to The Glory Of A City Is Not Glory! which they sought for the land of Glory that does not last for Chittim in Italy, Macedonia, and eternity is not real glory. This was the , I decidely prefer the latter, glory of Tyre for hundreds of years. which is also the opinion of Josephus The city prided herself in her existence ("Ant." i. 6, 1). According to this, as a naval power in the Mediterranean Chittim is the island Cyprus, so called Sea. The first word in the burden of the from the Phoenician colony, Kition, LORD to Tyre is “Howl.” This word (Citium), in the southern part of the literally has a wailing tone and it is very island, but still in such a sense, that vocal where the person yells out loud this name Chittim was, at a later in crying. There is nothing to boast or period, employed also in a wider be proud of when man praises you. It sense, to designate other islands and will fade away and worse still you are countries adjacent to the coasts of the lulled into a false sense of superiority Mediterranean, as, e.g., Macedonia that is more fleeting than the morning (Daniel 11:30; 1 Macc. 1:1; 8:5). This dew that fades away before the noon is also mentioned by Josephus. That day sun rises overhead. The right Κιτιον Kition (Citium) was sometimes response is to cry and not to laugh or used for the whole island of Cyprus, be puffed up in pride. The target and also in a wider sense for other audience were the ships of , a islands, is expressly asserted by seaport in . The phrase “ships of Epiphanius, who himself lived in Tarshish” probably means ships that Cyprus, as a well-known fact ("Adv. sailed to Tarshish which would refer to Haeres." xxx. 25); where he says, "it is merchant ships from or ships heading manifest to all that the island of Cyprus to Tarshish for trade. The LORD would is called Κιτιον Kition (Citium), for the lay waste to them all. It has a strong Cyprians and "Rhodians" (Ροδιοι Rodioi ) are called "Kitians" Κιτιοι

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Kitioi."” The Bible verse that supports Trade with Egypt had been the this interpretation that Chittim most honour of Tyre. By great waters, the likely refers to Cyprus is :6 seed of Sihor (referring to the River “Of the oaks of have they – see Joshua 13:3), the harvest of made thine oars; the company of the the river was Tyre’s revenue as she is Ashurites have made thy benches of a mart of nations. The crops and ivory, brought out of the isles of produce and all kinds of wares and Chittim.” Chittim i.e. Cyprus was the precious metals and stones from the island in the middle of the Great River Nile were brought to Tyre Mediterranean Sea where ships were to be sold. Tyre was a great meeting built. It would be in this place where place for trading by other nations. Her ships were constructed that news strategic location made her a very would be revealed that Tyre a great accessible trade hub for many nations. maritime port city would be ruined. Verse 4 describes Sidon as the “Be still ye inhabitants of the mother of Tyre and Tyre as the isle” was the instruction from God. The daughter. Sidon was commanded by use of the imperative in the verb, “be the LORD to be ashamed and not to still” points to a strong command to be proud of the many cities that she take note of your impending doom. had founded. The reason is that the The isle here has to refer to Tyre sea hath spoken which means that rather than Chittim, as the isle of Tyre Tyre being an island appeared as if was not joined to her city by the shore she has grown out of the sea. The until built a message comes from the sea that causeway to link the two parts of the gave “birth” to Tyre. Tyre is described city. The inhabitants of Tyre were told here as the strength of the sea by God to be still. To not boast and because of her past might and glory take pride in their present fame and and the fact that she was perched on a fortune as a great seaport, for one day Rock as her name Tyre, implies. The it would all be gone forever though message was that Sidon shall travail today many merchants of Zidon or not nor bring forth children neither do I Sidon (also a costal city on the nourish up young men nor bring up western banks of Israel) passed over virgin. Sidon had taken pride in her the sea and arrived in their ships with colonization and founding of cities and their goods and replenished Tyre. in particular a city like Tyre. There Sidon was also a Phoenician city but would come a time when this would more ancient than Tyre. In fact Tyre cease. Barnes correctly interpreted was a colony of the Sidonians and this verse to mean, “that the city which therefore like a mother or big sister had been the mistress of the they would obviously replenish her. commercial world, and distinguished But a time was coming that even the for founding other cities and colonies, Sidonians whom Tyre had depended was about to lose her importance, and upon for help all these years would no to cease to extend her colonies and longer be able to help. her influence over other countries.

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Over this fact, Sidon, the mother and is bringing the destruction upon Tyre! founder of Tyre herself, would be The purpose is made very clear by the humbled and grieved that her LORD that it is to stain i.e. to pollute or daughter, so proud, so rich, and so defile “the pride of all glory and to bring magnificent, was brought so low.” into contempt all the honourable of the Verse 5 describes the reaction earth.” Man’s glory in its essence is of Egypt. The Egyptians would lose defilement but he refuses to admit it. their trade hub and would be sorely The LORD did it to wake the sinful up pained by the destruction of Tyre. out of their drunken stupor of false Verse 6 and 7 are self explanatory. pride in things temporal. As long as Tyre shall flee to Tarshish from whom men do not humble themselves and she had been receiving her trade and think that they are great and have ships. They will howl i.e. cry loudly in done greatness, they will not turn to their agony. There will be no more joy God in repentance. The LORD did this in Tyre because of her long history of for man’s own good. He has no choice trade, fame and fortune that would but to pollute man’s glory because that soon be lost forever. Her inhabitants is the only way sinful man learns! shall leave as she is destroyed and will The figure of the flight of the sojourn in a far country. inhabitants of Tyre is captured in verse Who dares to make this counsel 10. They are described by the LORD against a great and ancient city like passing through their own and like a Tyre, the crowning city? Princes trade river. The river flows through rapidly there like merchants and the most and completely. Nothing can stop its honourable of men from all over the flow nor does it slow down but flows earth travelled there to trade! Who right through anything that stands in its dares to prophesy that such a great path. The inhabitants will flee in rapid and ancient city could cease to exist! It haste and it will affect the entire city is unthinkable. The city has been there not just parts. There will be no more longer than many generations of kings strength in Tyre. She will be thoroughly and princes! Many had come and gone destroyed. but Tyre remained! The LORD stretched out i.e. to The LORD Is In Absolute Control overturn or to judge with His The identity of the one who omnipotent hand over the sea and He dares to prophesy this counsel against shook the kingdoms. The mighty sea is Tyre is the LORD of hosts. Not only nothing to the LORD. The sea was a did He prophesy it, the Bible said that place that Tyre depended upon for her He purposed it; in other words, He existence and yet it is nothing to the determined it. It is more than just LORD. He merely stretches forth His predicting the future unlike a fortune hand and it happens. Kingdoms are teller who guesses the future but can shaken i.e. to quiver. The LORD gives do nothing about it. The LORD here is His commandments and they are declaring to all that I am the One who obeyed. It is not an option. There is no

4 DHW LESSON 23 ISAIAH 23 maybe or a doubt about what the conquered them and from then LORD wanted and will bring to pass. brought them into prominence. The life This time He gave a commandment as conquered probably awakens the against Tyre called the merchant city Chaldeans to the realisation that unity here. He stretched out His hand to is strength. The Chaldeans were not a destroy the strong holds i.e. their united people under one rule as most mighty bulwarks are destroyed. No nations in those days were. They lived matter what wall they build or what in the wilderness more in tribes than kind of armies or naval powers a city under one king. But after the Assyrians might possess, they will all be conquered them and used them as destroyed by the LORD if He so wills. weapons of war in assisting them to The end result is that Tyre will conquer other nations, they probably no more rejoice in her revelry due to realized the might and splendour that her trading, wealth and fame as a conquest brings. From skins of merchant city for princes and animals as garments of war they were honourable men. The LORD calls her given proper armament. They realized oppressed virgin, daughter of Zidon. the importance of living in cities so There is nothing more oppressive than they build cities with modernistic a virgin as every virgin was expected amenities like water and proper to be married in her virginity. But Tyre sanitation. They raised up palaces one is depicted here like a virgin oppressed of which was the famous hanging i.e. violated and has lost her virginity. Gardens of Babylon, one of the seven Arise and pass over i.e. flee to Chittim wonders of the ancient world before it i.e. Cyprus from where her ships were was captured by the Persians. built. Even there Tyre will have no rest The Babylonians will bring Tyre i.e. settle down rather than Sabbath to ruin, not the Greeks. This verse rest. They will not be able to make makes it abundantly clear. Therefore their homes there and they perhaps the ships of Tarshish are again called hope to return to Tyre one day as by the LORD to howl as in verse 1. Cyprus is an island very near to Tyre. The power and might of Tyre in her This will not be possible at all. Tyre ships will come to nought. When that may run and hide from her destruction day of destruction occurs, Tyre will be but they will remain refugees and forgotten i.e. forsaken and neglected would not be able to settle down in for 70 years. This period is the same Cyprus. as the Jewish captivity as prophesied New Superpowers Replace The Old by Jeremiah for . Jeremiah 27:3, The people that the LORD will 8; and :7 describe how Tyre use to bring about Tyre’s destruction and other surrounding nations were are the Chaldeans. The Chaldeans taken by Nebuchadnezzar when he were barbarous in their disposition. came down during the first captivity to They lived like wild beasts in the take away Daniel and his three friends wilderness until the Assyrians and other Jewish boys. The phrase “according to the days of one king”

5 DHW LESSON 23 ISAIAH 23 means “according to the period of the tarried there seven days: who said to kingdom of one king i.e. dynasty.” The Paul through the Spirit, that he should end of the Babylonians came when the not go up to . And when we and Persians defeated the king had accomplished those days, we of Babylon. After the end of 70 years, departed and went our way; and they Tyre will be restored back to her all brought us on our way, with wives former glory where she will once again and children, till we were out of the become a seaport for princes and city: and we kneeled down on the honourable men. They will come to her shore, and prayed.” The material like men go to a harlot singing her things that once were used purely for songs. carnal satisfaction and purposes would Tyre Will Be Given To God’s People be used by God’s people for God’s people. This was the thrust of the last At the end of 70 years, the part of verse 18. LORD will visit Tyre again. The LORD will find Tyre in her former glory doing much trade with many nations. She PRACTICAL VALUE shall turn to her hire i.e. her naval There Is No Superpower On Earth trade to do business to regain her That Lasts Forever pride and riches. Tyre shall commit Regardless of the present fornication i.e. figuratively speaking do invincibility of the atomic powers of business with all the nations of the today, sinful men have lulled earth regardless of their relationship themselves into a false sense of with God. As long as money could be superiority. They think that they are made, Tyre became a stopping point invincible and the captain of their own or all kinds of businesses. There was destiny. They talk as if they are like no stopping Tyre. God! This foolish notion will bring upon However, the LORD said that sinful man the wrath of God one day. when He visits something will happen. This happened to Tyre for Tyre’s Tyre will turn into a nation where there own good. This is a lesson for all of us will be holiness. Her merchandise and today. We must not think that just hire will be holiness to the LORD. This because we have a little power we are means that Tyre’s wealth would be greater than God. Tyre’s unique naval used for the blessing of Gods people power was rendered useless by God and promotion of God’s kingdom. That according to His will and timing. There day came in the future when sinners was nothing Tyre could do to stop were converted. This passage from what the LORD said would surely Acts 21:3-5 captures this teaching very come to pass. Today’s nations and well. “Now when we had discovered people are like Tyre and her Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and inhabitants. But will sinful man ever sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: learn? for there the ship was to unlade her burden. And finding disciples, we

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Why Can’t Sinful Man See That It Is significance when used for spiritual The LORD? purposes. This is also true today when When calamities occur to nations like true salvation takes place in the what happened to Tyre, nations tend believer's life. AMEN. to explain their calamities away and refuse to acknowledge that it is the LORD who has done it! Sinful man ascribe them to chance or to some DAILY READINGS & DISCUSSION inexplicable natural forces but never to QUESTIONS the God of Israel. They will blame it on a warring nation but not the LORD. Daily Readings In the case of Tyre, the LORD hid His identity until verse 9 where the MONDAY: Isaiah 23:1-12 LORD deliberately states that He was TUESDAY: Isaiah 23:13-18 the One who purposed it. He made the WEDNESDAY: Isaiah 23:1-18 destruction happen and not any man, not even the Chaldeans even though THURSDAY: Isaiah 23:1-18 they were the actual nation that FRIDAY: Isaiah 23:1-18 destroyed Tyre. God’s people have to be very sensitive to see the hand of God in today’s calamities and world Discussion Questions events. These are not mere carnal 1. Are you trusting in material things events but spiritual ones. to feel safe and secure? Please Salvation Soon Comes! explain your answer. Salvation came upon a city like ______Tyre. If it can come to Tyre, it can ______come to any nation. There is no ______exception. The power of the is ______greater than any resistance or sin ______committed by man. The blood of Jesus ______Christ is able to cleanse us of all sins. ______When that happens, lives are ______transformed.

The city of Tyre experienced such a transformation. The materialism that 2. What does it mean when Jesus once flooded the city for carnal says that we cannot serve God and purposes was turned around by God. mammon? God’s people used the material ______blessings to feed one another and ______God’s servants. The wealth was used ______for the extension of God’s kingdom. ______Carnal things took on spiritual ______

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______3. Do you see the hand of God in the tsunami on Boxing Day 2004 and the destruction of the Twin Towers 6. Do you think that the conquest of in 2001 September 11 that killed in the days of Joshua thousands? What about the could be compared with the millions gassed by Hitler during the conquest of Tyre by the Second World War? Babylonians? Please explain your ______answer. ______4. What gives you the greatest joy on earth? Please share and explain 7. What lessons can you learn from your answer. this chapter about God’s Word and ______about yourself? ______5. Will there come a time when nations will cease to conquer other nations on this earth? If your answer is yes, when will that day be? ______

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