Now there is even more on Tyre. Why does Ezekiel devote so much time to Tyre, remembering that this message was actually heard by the Jews in exile? There al least two reasons.
The first is that when we are in trouble one of our reactions is to look at other people who seem to be “doing OK”. We may feel envious of them or think if only we could be like them we could get out of this mess. God is making clear to Israel that no other nation, and Tyre in particular, who seemed so strong and self-assured, is safe.
Tyre in particular is castigated for thinking she was a god. Now today people may not say that explicitly, but whenever someone thinks they can manage without any help from anyone else, that they are completely in control of their own destiny, they are in effect claiming to be a god. This is a very dangerous place to be in, for God brings down the proud. In Tyre’s case He would amass the Babylonian army, and there would be nothing that Tyre could do about it.
The second reason in contained in the second part of the chapter, from verse 11 onwards. Here the tone changes and God starts talking about Tyre having been in Eden, and her being adorned as an angelic guardian. She is spoken of as if she was a fallen angel, cast down to the earth for rebellion in heaven. What does this teach us? It seems to say that there is more to the power structures and earthly powers than meets the eye. Now I must admit my immediate reaction when people start talking about territorial powers or angels is to start from a point of scepticism. For people who talk about these things are often talking nonsense, and such talk can be used to delude people. However, the Bible does teach clearly that there are spiritual powers at work in the world. Here we see that behind the earthly kingdom of Tyre was a spiritual power.
What are we to make of all this? Well at the end of verse 19 God says, “You have come to a terrible end, and you are no more”. Spiritual power or human power will both come to a sticky end. We need fear neither. Moreover, the commands of God are that we should love mercy, act justly and walk humbly with our God.
One other city, Sidon, is singled out for judgement. Then the chapter closes with words of restoration for Israel. God will reveal His glory to the world. Note that He does this by revealing His holiness amongst His people. As it says in Hebrews, without holiness no one will see the Lord. Holiness is a pre-requisite and the means by which God’s glory is revealed to the world.
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