Ezekiel 27

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

A Lamentation for Tyre

In addition to Tyre being a commercial power, they were also a _____________ power.
What sinful attitude caused God to bring judgment against the beautiful and powerful city-state of Tyre?
While the glory of Tyre was portrayed as a beautiful Phoenician ship, the judgment of Tyre is illustrated as a __________ ship. The “east wind” of verse 26 certainly represents what military power from a land east of Tyre?
How does the type of language used in this chapter give an indication of the totality and certainty of the fall and destruction of Tyre?

Tyre was a strong military power (vs 10,11), in addition to being a great commercial power.
Not only had Tyre become extremely prideful, but her pride caused her to gloat over the fall of Jerusalem when Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians conquered the kingdom of Judah. See chapter 27:3 and chapter 26:2,3. God would bring His judgment against this prideful city.
The judgment of Tyre is pictured as a beautiful, majestic but sinking ship. The strong east wind (v 26) represented the military power of Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians, when God used the first “wave” of His judgment against Tyre.
The portion of this chapter written in poetic form, verses 3-11, is written in the traditional Hebrew rhythm of a funeral dirge, providing a unique indication of the judgment and end of the kingdom of Tyre.

Consider the nations in various parts of the world today that could be compared to the city-state of Tyre as to their commercial and military power and resulting great influence in the world. Have there been nations or empires in more recent history of the world that have gained great power and then fallen? Discuss how these powers in recent history may have fallen or yet may fall because of their pride and/or their disdain for Israel.

Has the significance of the challenge given by Jesus in Matthew 16:26, “For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” taken on a greater meaning for you since you have read and studied these chapters in Ezekiel? Has the overwhelming evidence of the complete and final destruction of Tyre as foretold in great detail by God through Ezekiel motivated you to make changes in your daily life in regard to the priority of the material things in your life? Don’t lose your soul in order to gain the world!

“But when you are broken by the seas in the depths of the waters . . . all the inhabitants of the isles will be astonished at you . . . their kings will be greatly afraid, and their countenance will be troubled . . . you will become a horror, and be no more forever.” From Ezekiel 27: 34-36