Isaiah 23:1-18

Isaiah: God controls the nations

God controls the future

Isaiah Chapter s 21 to 30

Norman Hillyer

Chapter 23

All the verses in this chapter refer to both Tyre and Sidon. This is so even if only one or other of these names appears. The two ports were only 25 miles apart and they worked closely together.

The fate of Tyre and Sidon

v1 (God gave to Isaiah this special message about Tyre.) It is very sad for you sailors, as you return from Tarshish. An enemy has ruined the cities at Tyre. No houses remain. Nor does the harbour remain. The sailors heard the news when they reached Cyprus on their way home. v2 The shock of the news has made the merchants from Sidon dumb. Those merchants crossed the seas to provide the city called Tyre with goods to sell.

v3 The harvest of grain in the Nile valley meant profit for the people in Tyre. In fact, Tyre had become an international market. v4 Be in despair, you citizens of Sidon. It is as if even the sea has forgotten you. You will be like a married woman who has never had any children. v5 When the news about Tyre reaches the people in Egypt, they also will receive a severe shock. v6 Cry bitterly, you people who live on the coast. Get away to distant Tarshish. v7 Sidon is the same ancient city whose happy inhabitants have been there for centuries. Its people have spread to distant countries. v8 Tyre’s merchants were as powerful as princes. People all over the world gave the merchants great honour. So who arranged to destroy Tyre? v9 It was the *Lord (commander of heaven’s armies) who arranged to destroy Tyre. It was his plan to end the extreme pride of the merchants. They were much too proud of themselves. v10 Now they will have to become farmers. So, people in Tyre, cultivate your land like the Egyptians have to cultivate their land. Tyre’s harbour no longer exists. So your rich trade has ended.