Ezekiel 25 to 28
One of the greatest seaports of olden times was Tyre, also called Tyrus. This city was northwest of Jerusalem on the shore of the Great Sea; part of it was built on an island close to the mainland, and there was a fine harbor for ships. Men from the countries we call Europe and Africa brought boat loads of things there to sell or trade, and men from all parts of Asia came in caravans to sell the things made or grown in their countries. So it was a central market for all the world of that time; many sailors and rich merchants had homes there.
Here are some of the things that were bought and sold in Tyre’s markets and fairs: iron, lead, tin, brass, silver, gold, coral, precious stones, ebony and other choice woods, ivory, grain, honey, oil, spices, wine, linen, embroidered garments, wool, sheep, goats, horses and mules; even men were sold there for slaves (Ezek. 27).
The ruler of Tyre, called a prince, was very wise in his plans for trade, and had great treasures of gold and silver. He was very proud and selfish with his wealth, and instead of giving honor to the Lord, who had created the many things of the earth, he said that he himself “was a God, and sat in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas” (Ezek. 28:22Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord God; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God: (Ezekiel 28:2)).
The Lord knew the thoughts of the prince, and told Ezekiel that he and other rulers and their people who lived not far from Jerusalem would he glad when the army from Babylon would break down the walls of Jerusalem; that they would clap their hands and stamp their feet, and the selfish rulers would say “Aha!” thinking they could then take the riches of Jerusalem for themselves. But God told Ezekiel that all these proud nations would also be conquered by the same strong army.
The Lord also told Ezekiel to write of a proud, wicked “cherub”, or angel called the “king of Tyres,” because he led the prince and people of Tyre in their selfish, ways. God said this one was created with wisdom and great beauty, but became proud, and sinned greatly.
In other parts of the Bible, that wicked one is called Satan, or the devil. When the Son of God was on earth, Satan even tried to tempt Him to worship him (Matt. 4:9,109And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Matthew 4:9‑10)).
When the rulers or people of any city or country, forget that the Lord has given them the good things of the earth, and are proud and selfish, they are like the prince and people of Tyre.
ML 05/24/1942