Isaiah 23:15-18 – Restored
What is described in this chapter is a destruction brought about by the Babylonians. Now, in Isaiah’s own time, the Assyrians tried to attack Tyre. They made some progress, but ultimately had to break things off, just as they did at Jerusalem. But in the days of Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonians were able to attack and prevail over Tyre. It was, according to the ancient histories, long and difficult. Now, as we’ve seen before, at the time Isaiah wrote, the Babylonians were politically and militarily nothing. They were under the boot heel, we might say, of the Assyrians. But God raises the humble for his good and holy ends. And God throws down the mighty through the means of the ones who had been humble and lowly.
In verses 15- 18 we see Tyre’s restoration in a couple of stages. After judgment great grace comes about after 70 years. It is God who brings about this restoration in His providence. In verses 16-17, Tyre works hard to get back to normal. But it looks as though Tyre has continued in its pride and in its immorality. It was later destroyed again by Alexander the Great. But God in his mercy to sinners, raised it up yet again. And here in this last verse is the prophecy that Tyre would eventually seek Jehovah, and great blessing would come about. We see that its gain would no longer go to feed the so-called good life. No, rather its gain would be used for God’s glory, to support and maintain godliness. In Acts 21:3-4, we can see that churches were there for a long time until that area was destroyed by Arabs. May it be that ultimately all of us devote ourselves not to pleasure, not to gain, not to riches and power, but to honouring and glorifying Jehovah.
Questions
- Who destroyed Tyre?
- How does Tyre change?
Prayer Points
- Pray that we would use the good things God gives us for His glory.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.