This chapter begins (in verse 1) with these words, “The burden against Tyre” (NKJV). The word “burden” speaks of “judgment” and in verses 2-16 we have a graphic description of how this city was destroyed and the rippling effects this had around the world in that day. Tyre was a major commercial city on the sea; she was “a marketplace for the nations” (verse 3) and thus all who traded with her would feel the financial loss when commerce came to a standstill.

We learn in verse 13 that the invasion came from “the land of the Chaldeans”; in other words from the Babylonian Empire that had just come to power. Yet we learn that behind this human force God was in control and bringing destruction to this proud city. “The LORD of hosts has purposed it, to bring to dishonor the pride of all glory, to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth.” The Lord hates pride and is able, in His sovereignty, to use whatever means He deems best to humble the proud.

Now let’s read verses 15-17, “Now it shall come to pass in that day that Tyre will be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king. At the end of seventy years it will happen to Tyre as in the song of the harlot: ‘Take a harp, go about the city, you forgotten harlot; Make sweet melody, sing many songs, that you may be remembered.’ And it shall be, at the end of the seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre. She will return to her hire, and commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world on the face of the earth.” God’s judgment upon this proud, ungodly city was limited to 70 years. If we turn to Jeremiah 25:11-12 and 29:10 we learn that God’s judgment upon Israel also occurred during this same time period. Those passages read, “And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment, and THESE NATIONS SHALL SERVE THE KING OF BABYLON SEVENTY YEARS. ‘Then it will come to pass, when SEVENTY YEARS ARE COMPLETED, that I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their iniquity.’ Says the LORD; and I will make it a perpetual desolation…For thus says the LORD: After SEVENTY YEARS ARE COMPLETED AT BABYLON, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.”

So, both Israel and Tyre would, at the end of the 70 years, be visited by God in grace. He would allow them to be restored to their homeland. Yet sadly, in the case of Tyre, it would once again “commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world on the face of the earth.” This means it never learned the lesson that God had intended, for instead of being humbled by its destruction, it would once again resume its relationship with an ungodly world by luring them into their greedy (rebuilt) city.

This chapter began with an announcement of JUDGMENT, but it ends with a promise of BLESSING. Verse 18 says, “Her (Tyre’s) gain and her pay will be set apart for the LORD; it will not be treasured nor laid up, for her gain will be for those who dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for fine clothing.” This wonderful verse looks on to a future day (when Christ returns to earth as “King of kings and Lord of lords” to establish His kingdom) when Tyre will bring the fruits of her commerce to the Lord as a “holy offering.” This is also spoken of in Psalm 45:12, “And the daughter of Tyre will come with a gift; the rich among the people will seek your favor.” God’s mercy and grace will transform the hearts of those in Tyre, resulting in their desire to bless the Lord and His people by offering them the fruit of their labors.  (364.1)  (DO)