TYRE AND THE CERTAINTY OF GOD’S WORD
-Introduction
-2 Tim 3:16-17
-Repeatedly, the scriptures make the claim that they are indeed the words of God.
-Amos - “Thus saith the Lord” occurs 13 times. (1:3 to last verse, 7:17).
-Ezekiel - 126 times
-Gal 1:11-12
-1 Thess 2:13
-Unfortunately, many people have argued against this fact - even those who claim to
be religiously minded.
-If you take away the inspiration of the scriptures then you take away their authority.
It seems that this is exactly what many want - a relative “truth.”
-Yet, we know that the scriptures are inspired. The evidence supporting that fact is
overwhelming.
-Evidence
-There are various sources of evidence - both internal and external to the scriptures.
-historical records, archeological findings, science, nature, etc.
-Yet, my opinion is that the strongest evidence is internal - predictive prophecies.
-I can’t tell you details about what will happen tomorrow, this week, etc.
-Isa 46:10
-So, over and over again, we find that God has provided specific information about
events far in advance of them taking place.
-Tonight, we’ll consider one such example.
-Ezekiel and Tyre
-Last week I heard some news reports regarding the city of Tyre. Of course, this is a city
that is referenced many times in the scriptures.
-city of Phoenicia with an interesting history
-Note: Some cities that exist today with the same name as a Biblical town may not be in
the exact same location. Of course, some exist on the same locations but now
are known by different names.
-“The old Tyre, the real Tyre, was but a memory. The modern Tyre (Sur) bears no
relation to the ancient city that fell under the curse of God” (Wayne Jackson, A Study of
Ezekiel 28, May 1, 2006, www.christiancourier.com/articles/read/a_study_of_ezekiel_28).
-Ezekiel 26, 27 & 28
-Ezek 26:1-5
-following these verses - info regarding Nebuchadnezzer
-Remember though, vs 3 indicated that many nations would came against Tyre.
-Ezek 27 - lamentation over Tyre
-Ezek 28 - This chapter has been abused by many. They have tried to apply this passage
to Satan and his fall.
-Clearly the context shows otherwise - vs 2,12.
-Back to Ezekiel 26
-vs 3 - People would come against Tyre like waves of the sea.
-vs 4 - The city would be destroyed and scraped clean.
-vs 5 - It would become a place for spreading fisherman’s nets.
-Attacks on Tyre
-It is important to realize that Tyre consisted of two parts - a portion on the mainland and
a portion on an island a short distance off shore. The island city was protected by a wall
that was 150 feet tall toward the mainland side.
1. Assyrians - Even though there were times that the Assyrians fought against Tyre, most
of the time they left the city alone, except for the tribute that they required.
-One Assyrian leader raised the tribute. In response, the king of Tyre formed a
confederacy with the other Phoenician leaders and rebelled. All the others were
subdued except Tyre. The Assyrians cut off the water supply but the citizens of
Tyre dug new wells and continued for five more years. The Assyrian leader then
died. Others fought against Tyre but never fully subdued it.
2. Babylonians - 585 - 572 B.C. - Nebuchadnezzar fought against Tyre - 13 years. The
city on the mainland was destroyed. Yet, the island city was never conquered.
3. Alexander the Great -
-Side Note: With the decline of the Babylonians, Tyre
once again regained
independence but it seems that they were in
submission to the Persians.
-When Alexander the Great defeated the area the people of Tyre refused to fully
submit and allow him access to their city. As a result, he fought against it. On his
first attempt to defeat the island city, Alexander’s men were repelled. Eventually,
Alexander used the ruins of the mainland city (scraped it clean) to build a land
bridge to the island. He also used ships from the other cities he had defeated to
launch a dual attack - from the mainland over the land bridge and from the water on
the opposite side.
-In seven months, the city fell. 8,000 people of Tyre were killed, 2,000 were
crucified, 30,000 were
sold into slavery
-Alexander lost 400 men
-Summary and Invitation
-Eventually, the island city sank below sea level and no longer exists.
-God had delivered upon His word...as always.
-As Christians, we can and must put full trust and faith in God’s word.
-We can know in full confidence that the things that God has foretold regarding our
future will indeed take place - Jesus’ 2nd Coming, Judgement Day, etc.
-Are you ready? Have you obeyed the Gospel? If
not, believe in Jesus as the son of God
(John 8:22-24; 20:30-31); confess your faith (Rom 10:9-10, Matt 10:32),
repent of your
sins (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30), be baptized into Christ (Mark 16:16;
Gal 3:26-29)
-If you’ve obeyed the Gospel, have you remained faithful?
If not, confess your shortcomings,
repent of them and pray for God’s
forgiveness (1 John 1:7-9; Acts 8:22-24).