Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"The burden against Tyre"
Text: Isaiah 23:1
MARITIME PHONECIA
Phoenicia was geographically located North of Israel. It was made up of a number of cities, the most famous were Tyre and Sidon. Phoenicia identified itself as “Canaanites”. They saw themselves as the posterity of ancient Canaan. Phoenicia was famous for its maritime expertise. Over time, they established a significant business empire with Phoenician colonies as far as Spain and Cyprus. Tyre received a word of warning from the LORD. Sidon was also mentioned. Both cities are usually mentioned together. What affects Tyre would also affect Sidon.
“The burden against Tyre.
Wail, you ships of Tarshish!
For it is laid waste,
So that there is no house, no harbour;
From the land of Cyprus it is revealed to them.
Be still, you inhabitants of the coastland,
You merchants of Sidon,
Whom those who cross the sea have filled.
And on great waters the grain of Shihor,
The harvest of the River, is her revenue;
And she is a marketplace for the nations.”
Isaiah 23:1-3
1. A burden (heavy message) was issued against Tyre.
2. “Ships of Tarshish”
a) Tarshish
i) It can refer to an actual geographical location.
In this case, it is a reference to a port in the Mediterranean region (Cyprus).
ii) It can also refer to the ship-building industry of the Phoenician people.
b) Ships laid waste.
i) War was waged against Phoenicia.
ii) Assyria, Babylon, Greece and Rome were engaged in war against Phoenicia.
iii) The business empire of Phoenicia collapsed because of the wars.
c) The aftermath of these wars was devastating.
i) The land was laid waste.
ii) The harbour was gone.
iii) Many houses were destroyed.
3. Sidon was the “twin” partner-city of Tyre.
a) Many merchants operated from Sidon.
b) They literally crossed the seas trading with many nations, far and wide.
4. Sidon was quite literally “the market place”.
a) The River Shihor (also spelt as “Sihor”).
b) This is the Hebrew reference to the River Nile.
c) The Egyptians traded heavily with Sidon.
d) Significant revenues were earned through trading with Sidon and Tyre.