Ezekiel 26:5
She will become a place to spread nets in the sea, for I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD. She will become plunder for the nations,
She will become a place to spread nets in the sea
This phrase refers to the city of Tyre, a prominent Phoenician city known for its wealth and maritime prowess. Historically, Tyre was a significant trade hub, and its destruction would have been a dramatic shift in the region's economic landscape. The imagery of spreading nets suggests desolation and abandonment, as fishermen would use the ruins as a convenient place to dry their nets. This prophecy was fulfilled when Alexander the Great conquered Tyre, leaving it in ruins. The phrase also symbolizes the complete humbling of a proud city, aligning with the biblical theme of God's judgment against human arrogance.

for I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD
This statement emphasizes the authority and certainty of God's word. In the biblical context, when God declares something, it is as good as done. This reflects the prophetic nature of Ezekiel's message, where God's pronouncements through the prophet are assured of fulfillment. It underscores the sovereignty of God over nations and history, reinforcing the idea that divine will is unchangeable and inevitable. This phrase also connects to other scriptures where God's word is depicted as powerful and effective, such as Isaiah 55:11.

She will become plunder for the nations
This prophecy indicates that Tyre will be looted and its wealth distributed among various nations. Historically, Tyre was besieged by several empires, including the Babylonians and later the Greeks under Alexander the Great, who ultimately succeeded in capturing and plundering the city. The phrase highlights the transient nature of earthly riches and power, a common biblical theme. It also serves as a warning to other nations about the consequences of pride and opposition to God's purposes. This idea of divine retribution and the redistribution of wealth is echoed in other prophetic books, such as Isaiah and Jeremiah, where nations are judged and their treasures taken by others.

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 prosperous Phoenician city located on the Mediterranean coast. Known for its wealth and strong maritime trade, Tyre was a significant power in the region.

3. The Lord GOD
The sovereign and covenant-keeping God of Israel, who declares judgment upon Tyre for its pride and opposition to His people.

4. Nations
Refers to the various foreign powers that would come against Tyre, fulfilling God's judgment by making it a place for spreading nets.

5. Judgment
The divine decree against Tyre, symbolizing God's sovereignty over nations and His response to their actions against His people.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Nations
The prophecy against Tyre demonstrates that no nation, regardless of its wealth or power, is beyond God's control and judgment.

The Consequences of Pride
Tyre's downfall serves as a warning against pride and self-reliance, reminding believers to trust in God rather than worldly riches.

The Certainty of God's Word
The fulfillment of prophecy underscores the reliability of God's promises and warnings, encouraging believers to live in obedience and faith.

The Temporary Nature of Earthly Wealth
Tyre's transformation into a place for spreading nets illustrates the fleeting nature of material wealth, urging Christians to invest in eternal treasures.

God's Justice and Mercy
While God judges nations, His ultimate desire is for repentance and restoration, offering hope to those who turn to Him.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the prophecy against Tyre in Ezekiel 26:5 reflect God's sovereignty over human history and nations?

2. In what ways can the downfall of Tyre serve as a warning against pride and self-reliance in our own lives?

3. How does the certainty of God's word, as seen in the fulfillment of prophecy, encourage you to trust in His promises today?

4. What lessons can we learn from Tyre's transformation into a place for spreading nets about the temporary nature of earthly wealth?

5. How can we balance understanding God's justice with His mercy when considering His judgments on nations like Tyre?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 23
This chapter also prophesies the downfall of Tyre, emphasizing the temporary nature of human pride and wealth.

Jeremiah 25:22
Mentions Tyre among the nations that will drink from the cup of God's wrath, highlighting the comprehensive nature of divine judgment.

Revelation 18
The fall of Babylon echoes the judgment on Tyre, illustrating the ultimate downfall of all worldly powers opposed to God.
Collision Between Man's Plans and God's PlansJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 26:1-6
The Sin and Doom of TyreW. Jones Ezekiel 26:1-21
The Fate of TypeJ.R. Thomson Ezekiel 26:3-6
People
Ezekiel, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar
Places
Babylon, Edom, Jerusalem, Tyre
Topics
Affirmation, Declares, Fishnets, Goods, Middle, Midst, Nations, Nets, Plunder, Says, Sovereign, Spoil, Spoken, Spreading, Stretching
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 26:5

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Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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