Vers. 26, 27.-National shipwreck. The metaphor employed in this passage by the poet-prophet is peculiarly appropriate. What so fitted to represent the maritime city Tyre as a gallant ship? In figurative language Ezekiel pictures the stateliness and prosperity, followed by the wreck and destruction, of the famous mistress of the seas. I. TYRE IN ITS PROSPERITY IS LIKE A MAJESTIC AND RICHLY LADEN GALLEY. Com- merce and wealth, maritime and military greatness, are cbarncteristic of the famous Pbronician port; and these are represented as the freight of the vessel as she skims the surface of the smooth waters beneath the sunny skies. li. TYRE IN ITS TIME OF TRIAL IS LIKE A GALLEY OVERTAKEN BY A BUDDEN AND VIOLENT TEMPEST. The vessel is built for calm weather, and is i!1 fitted to contend with storms. When war wes waged age.inst Tyre by" the king of kings," Nebuchad- nezzar of Babylon, then the power of "the queen of the seas" was put to the proof. Not tho.t Tyre succumbed at once; the resistance offered was long and stubborn; the city was fighting for its life. It was not like a great and populous no.lion occupying nn extensive territory, which may be vanquished, but cannot be exterminated. If the city upon the rock was captured and destroyed, Tyre was annihilated as well as conquered, Hence the severity of the struggle, which was a struggle, not for wealth and power merely, but for existence. Ill. TYRE IN ITS DEFEAT AND DESTRUCTION IS LIKE A. GALLEY WHIOH 1 WITH ALL ITS CARGO, SINKtl IN THE MIDST OP' THE SEAS. The great waters and the ea.at wind work their will. The rowers are powerless; skill and strength are of no avail. The richly laden vessel goes down with all her costly freight and gallant crew. Riches and magnificence, valour and experience, are powerless to save when the decree has gone forth that opportunities have been neglected, privileges have been abused, that moral laws have been violated, and that the God of nations bas been defied. The lessons of history have been studied to little purpose if they have not taught us that •• the Lord reigneth," that he "doetb Recording to his will among the inhabitants of the earth," that he "brings down the lofty from their sea.t.n The multitude of the host and much strength are a vain refuge from the justice and the power of" the Lord of lords."-T.
Vers. 28-86.-The bewailing of the city. Very picturesque e.nd impressive is this representation of the effect produced upon the nations by the fall of Tyre. So world· 96 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [aH. xxvn. 1-36.