The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 96

Tyre, and its ships might go forth into all seas with their merchandise. Those towns which are situated on navigable rivers, or on seaports, generally become rich and prosperous. The situation of Tyre was favourable both to its safety and to its com• mercial prosperity. 2. The grandewr of her buildings. "Thy builders have perfected thy beauty." In the architecture and construction of her edifices, Tyre occupied a distinguished position amongst the cities of her age (cf. eh. xxvi. 12, 17). 3. Her great riches, important handicrafts, and extensive commerce. In vers. 5-9 the riches of the proud city are indicated. In these verses " the state of Tyre appears under the figure of a splendid ship. . . . In the Tyrian state," says Hengstenberg, "the representation by the symbol of a ship wa.s the more natural, as it was a maritime power. The capital lay like a ship in the midst of the sea, and wa.s surrounded with a forest of masts." All the materials and fittings and furniture of this ship were of the best and richest materials, indicating the wealth and luxury of the Tyrians. Persons from other Phcenician cities a.re re:presented as serving in subordinate offices in the ship, while the chief offices were held by the Tyriaos themselves, thus indicating that the powers of those cities were used to advance the prosperity of Tyre, while the Tyrians retained authority in their state in their own hands. Tyre wa.s also famous for, and her prosperity was advanced by, her handicraftsmen. In both ver.16 and ver. 18 we read of" the multitude of her handiworks." The prophet does not mention the nature of these arts and manufactures. But the Tyria.ns were skilful in the mechanical arts. Much beautiful artistic work in brass or copper in the temple which Solomon built was executed by Tyrian workmen (1 Kings vii. 13-45). Moreover, Tyre was celebrated for the manufacture of costly robes, jewellery, etc. The wide extent of the trade of the island-city is exhibited by Ezekiel in this chapter (vers. 12-25). Without entering into the dehils of that account here, it will be clear to any one who will examine it that Tyre "traded with every part of the then known world, either immediately or through the medium of other nations." So great was her prosperity, riches, etc. 4. Her strong fortifications and military defences. (Vers.10, 11.) Here are walls and towns manned by mercenary soldiers for the protection of the city. There was a general tendency in commercial cities to employ mercenaries for their military service, "on account of the high wages which may be obtained by artisans in a. thriving community compared with the ordinary pay of a soldier." To this tendency Tyre had conformed. In her service there were hardy mountaineers from Persia., Africans obtained through the commerce of Egypt, Phrenicians from Arva.d, and the Gammadim, or valorous men, or bold champions-a. designation, probably, of a troop eminent for bravery. Thus was Tyre favourably situ- ated, splendidly built, abundant in riches, prosperous in trade, and efficiently guarded. IL A l-":l!:LEBBATION OF BEJIi.ARK.ABLE PROSPERITY INOBDIMATELY GLORIED IN, "Thou, 0 Tyre, hast said, I am perfect in beauty" (ver. 3 ; cf. Isa. xxiii. 8, 9). The 'l'yrians boasted themselves in their riches, prosperity, and power...In the next chapter this proud boasting is very strikingly exhibited (vers. 2-5). Pride, self-confidence, and sinful boasting the Tyrians had grown into by reason of their position, prosperity, and power. Babylon in the height of her glory and strength manifested a. similar spirit. She said in her heart, " I shall be a. lady for ever . . . I am, and there is none else beside me," etc. (Isa. xlvii. 7, 8). There is grievous sin and great danger in such pride of heart and presumption of speech, It is worse than vain for either a community or an individual to boast of worldly power or prosperity; for commanding power may soon be reduced to abject weakness, and conspicuous prosperity to deplorable destitu• tion, " Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory iu his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might," etc. (Jer. ix. 23, 24). ill A CELEBRATION OF BEMABKABLE PROSPERITY WITH A BIGNIFIOANT OMISSION. In recounting the glories of Tyre, nothing is said of her religion or righteousness. The prophet makes no mention of her piety towards God, or her kindness or justice towards men. He praises her" for all that she had that was praiseworthy. He has nothing to say of her religion, her piety, her charity, her being a refuge to the distressed, or using her interest to do good offices among her neighbours ; but she lived great, and had a great trade, and all the trading pa.rt of mankind made court to her." A nation is in a sad plight when its only glories a.re temporal and material, when it is not established and exalted by reverence and righteousness. In such case its glories are likely to be evaneBCent, its prosperity fleeting, and its power insecure, oH. xxvu. 1-36.J THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 99