Ezekiel 26:19

For this is what the Lord GOD says: 'When I make you a desolate city like other deserted cities, and when I raise up the deep against you so that the mighty waters cover you,

Study Bible

For this is what the Lord GOD says:
This phrase emphasizes the authority and divine origin of the message. It is a common prophetic introduction, underscoring that the words are not from the prophet himself but from God. This establishes the seriousness and certainty of the prophecy.

When I make you a desolate city:
The prophecy is directed towards Tyre, a significant Phoenician city known for its wealth and maritime power. The term "desolate" indicates complete destruction and abandonment, a fate that befell many cities as a result of divine judgment. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty over nations and His ability to humble the proud.

like other deserted cities:
This comparison suggests that Tyre's fate will be similar to other cities that have faced divine judgment. It implies a pattern of God's dealings with nations that defy Him. Historical examples include Babylon and Nineveh, which were also prophesied to become desolate due to their sins.

and when I raise up the deep against you:
The "deep" refers to the sea, which was both a source of Tyre's wealth and a symbol of chaos and judgment in biblical literature. This imagery suggests a reversal of fortune, where the sea that once brought prosperity now becomes an instrument of destruction.

so that the mighty waters cover you:
This phrase evokes the imagery of a flood, a common biblical metaphor for overwhelming judgment. It recalls the Genesis flood narrative, where waters covered the earth as a form of divine judgment. The use of "mighty waters" underscores the totality and inescapability of the impending destruction.

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 restoration.

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

3. The Lord GOD
The sovereign and covenant-keeping God of Israel, who speaks through His prophet Ezekiel to pronounce judgment on Tyre.

4. The Deep and Great Waters
Symbolic imagery used to describe the overwhelming judgment and destruction that God would bring upon Tyre, likening it to a flood.

5. Desolate City
The state of ruin and abandonment that Tyre would experience as a result of God's judgment, similar to other cities that faced divine wrath.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty in Judgment
God's pronouncement against Tyre demonstrates His control over nations and His ability to bring about justice.

The Temporary Nature of Earthly Wealth
Tyre's wealth and power could not save it from God's judgment, reminding us of the fleeting nature of material prosperity.

The Certainty of God's Word
The fulfillment of prophecy against Tyre assures us that God's words are true and reliable.

Repentance and Humility
The judgment on Tyre serves as a warning to turn from pride and self-reliance, seeking humility before God.

Hope in Restoration
While judgment is severe, God's ultimate plan includes restoration and redemption for those who turn to Him.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the judgment on Tyre in Ezekiel 26:19 reflect God's sovereignty over nations, and what implications does this have for our understanding of current world events?

2. In what ways does the imagery of "great waters" covering Tyre connect to other biblical instances of divine judgment, and how can this deepen our understanding of God's justice?

3. Considering the temporary nature of Tyre's wealth and power, how should Christians view and use their own resources in light of eternity?

4. How can the certainty of God's prophetic word, as seen in the fulfillment of Tyre's judgment, encourage us in our faith and trust in God's promises today?

5. Reflecting on the themes of judgment and restoration, how can we apply the lessons from Tyre's downfall to our personal lives and communities?

Connections to Other Scriptures

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

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

Genesis 7
The flood account provides a backdrop for understanding the imagery of "great waters" as a form of divine judgment.