Ezekiel 28:16-19 - Your heart became proud

28:16,17

Tyre was a trading nation, but along with the trade came violence. It is difficult to make sense of these verses because of the references to Eden. It is perhaps best to see this as God rejecting the nation, without trying to tie it in too closely to the Eden of Genesis 2, except in a general sense. So, there is nothing wrong with being a trading nation. In fact, God intended there to be trading nations, but the sin in her heart rose up and so God expelled her from her position. The pride in her heart corrupted her wisdom. This is something we see time and time again. We see people who are skilled in some way, but then they become proud. When this happens they certainly become less likable, and often worse. We see it with governments. All governments start to become corrupt if they are in power for too long. When this happens the judgement of God will come upon that individual or organisation.

28:18,19

Tyre had many “sins and dishonest trade”. There are many instances of trade being dishonest, and sometimes horribly evil with things like the slave trade. This happened with Tyre, and so God would reduce them to ashes. Righteousness exalts a nation, dishonest and exploitative trade does not. So Tyre would be no more.