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Overview

The vision now turns its attention to the city of Tyre. Tyre will be brought down. Another great city will fall to its knees before the judgment of the Lord. 

Isaiah 23:15-16

In that day Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years, like the days of one king. At the end of seventy years, it will happen to Tyre as in the song of the prostitute: “Take a harp; go about the city, O forgotten prostitute! Make sweet melody; sing many songs, that you may be remembered.”

Tyre was a significant city back in Isaiah’s day. Guzik writes: “To the north of Israel, Tyre was the leading city of Phoenicia, the great maritime power of the ancient world. Because it was such an important harbor and center for shipping, Tyre was synonymous with commerce and materialism.” 

Tyre also helped King David and King Solomon 300 years earlier. Solomon’s temple was built with the timber of Tyre. Tyre sent sailors to Solomon to build Israel’s commerce. For a time, their relationship was mutually beneficial. But pride set in. The glory of Tyre overshadowed the glory of YHWH. Here is the thing: YHWH never shares His glory. There is only one King. One God. One Lord over the earth. 

Isaiah 23:17-18

At the end of seventy years, the Lord will visit Tyre, and she will return to her wages and will prostitute herself with all the kingdoms of the world on the face of the earth. Her merchandise and her wages will be holy to the Lord. It will not be stored or hoarded, but her merchandise will supply abundant food and fine clothing for those who dwell before the Lord.

Prophecy can be so specific and yet at the same time so slippery. There is much debate of when these 70 years began. Most scholars take the time frame literally, but history is not so clear. Nevertheless, verses 17-18 are very interesting. Tyre will rise again. Prostitute herself again. But then the Lord will visit Tyre, not for judgment, but to use her resources for His plans, for His purposes. 

This reminds us that in a sense, the kingdoms of the earth are just pieces set on a divine chess board. Please don’t read too much into this analogy. The nations are still culpable for their actions. God gave people free will. And yet God is sovereign and only good proceeds from the Father of Lights. It is a mystery. The tension is perfectly held by God. 

This truth can either bring comfort or criticism. It can lead us to worship or rebellion. The sovereignty of God is meant to bring us to our knees. To reinforce that God is so much wiser, so much greater than we even can imagine. God has you. He will accomplish His plans. No one checkmates God. He wins in the end.