Ezekiel 26:12

They will plunder your wealth and pillage your merchandise. They will demolish your walls, tear down your beautiful homes, and throw your stones and timber and soil into the water.

Study Bible

They will plunder your wealth and pillage your merchandise.
This phrase refers to the impending destruction and looting of Tyre by foreign invaders. Historically, Tyre was a wealthy and powerful city-state known for its trade and commerce, particularly in purple dye and luxury goods. The prophecy foretells the stripping away of its economic prosperity. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of divine judgment against pride and reliance on material wealth, as seen in other scriptures like Isaiah 23 and Revelation 18, which also describe the fall of prosperous cities.

They will demolish your walls,
The walls of Tyre were renowned for their strength and fortification, symbolizing security and defense. The prophecy of their demolition signifies the complete vulnerability and defeat of the city. This act of destruction is a common motif in biblical prophecies against cities that have turned away from God, emphasizing that no human-made defenses can withstand divine judgment. The fall of Jericho in Joshua 6 serves as a parallel example of God’s power over fortified cities.

tear down your beautiful homes,
The mention of "beautiful homes" highlights the opulence and architectural splendor of Tyre. The destruction of these homes signifies not only the loss of physical structures but also the end of a lifestyle characterized by luxury and excess. This reflects the biblical principle that earthly beauty and wealth are temporary and can be swiftly taken away, as echoed in Ecclesiastes 5:15 and James 1:10-11.

and throw your stones and timber and soil into the water.
This phrase vividly describes the complete dismantling of the city, with its very materials being cast into the sea. Historically, this was fulfilled when Alexander the Great used the debris of the mainland city to build a causeway to the island city of Tyre during his siege in 332 BC. This act symbolizes the total obliteration and transformation of the city’s landscape. The imagery of stones and timber being thrown into the water also evokes the idea of irreversible judgment, akin to the casting of Babylon’s millstone into the sea in Revelation 18:21, signifying the finality of God’s judgment.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Ezekiel
A prophet of God who ministered to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. He conveyed God's messages of judgment and hope.

2. Tyre
An ancient and wealthy Phoenician city known for its trade and commerce. It was located on the Mediterranean coast and was a significant maritime power.

3. Babylonians
The empire that God used as an instrument of judgment against Tyre. Under King Nebuchadnezzar, they besieged and eventually destroyed the city.

4. Nebuchadnezzar
The king of Babylon who led the siege against Tyre, fulfilling the prophecy given by Ezekiel.

5. The Sea
Represents the Mediterranean Sea, into which the debris of Tyre would be thrown, symbolizing complete destruction and desolation.

Teaching Points

The Temporary Nature of Earthly Wealth
Tyre's riches and merchandise were plundered, reminding us that material wealth is fleeting and should not be our ultimate pursuit.

God's Sovereignty in Judgment
The prophecy against Tyre demonstrates God's control over nations and history, using them to fulfill His purposes.

The Consequences of Pride and Idolatry
Tyre's downfall serves as a warning against pride and reliance on wealth, which can lead to spiritual and physical ruin.

The Certainty of God's Word
The fulfillment of Ezekiel's prophecy assures us of the reliability and truth of God's Word, encouraging us to trust in His promises.

The Call to Repentance
Observing Tyre's fate should lead us to examine our lives, repent of our sins, and turn to God for forgiveness and restoration.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the destruction of Tyre illustrate the temporary nature of worldly wealth and power?

2. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty at work in the events described in Ezekiel 26:12?

3. How does the prophecy against Tyre serve as a warning against pride and self-reliance in our own lives?

4. What are some modern parallels to Tyre's situation, and how can we apply the lessons from this passage to those situations?

5. How can the certainty of God's Word, as demonstrated in the fulfillment of this prophecy, encourage us in our daily walk with Christ?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Isaiah 23
This chapter also prophesies the downfall of Tyre, emphasizing the temporary nature of human wealth and power.

Revelation 18
The fall of Babylon in Revelation echoes the judgment against Tyre, symbolizing the ultimate downfall of worldly systems opposed to God.

Jeremiah 27:3-11
Jeremiah's prophecy about the nations, including Tyre, serving Nebuchadnezzar, aligns with Ezekiel's message of judgment.