The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 97

IV. A CELEBRATION OF BEMABKABLE PBOSPEBITY DISASTROUSLY TERMINATED. "Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters," etc. (vers. 26, 27). The figure of a ship, which was dropped while narrating the trade of Tyre, is here resumed, and her fall is depicted as a shipwreck. The great waters and the east wind, which in that district was marked by violent and continued blasts, indicate the sufferings and perils which issued in the overthrow of the proud city. Notwithstanding her secure situation, abundant riches, extensive commerce, and strong defences, she has been reduced to ruins. "Nothing human," says Greenhill, "can protect a sinful city and people from the judgments of God. Tyrus was as strong a place as the world bad; her wailll, towers, ships, wise, strong men, could not do it. Tyrus was as rich a place as any under heaven-she had a multitude of riches ; yet these kept her not from being brought into great waters. What power or art of man can keep off the wind from a ship when it is at sea? It is not in the power of all the seamen or mariners in the world to do it; neither can any number of men, or all men, keep off a judgment of God when it is coming upon a sinful place." V. THE DISASTROUS TEBIIUNATION OF REMARKABLE PROSPERITY V.ABIOUSLY REGARDED, (Vers. 28-36.) Some would look upon the overthrow of Tyre: 1. With lamentation. "At the sound of the cry of thy pilots the suburbs shall shake," etc. (vers. 28-33). They bewail the fall of the island-city, not merely because of that catastrophe, but also because of its significance. If the queen of the sea is ruined, what city upon earth can be safe? (See our homily on eh. u.vi 15-18.) 2. With affright. "All the inhabit- ants of the isles are astonished at thee, and their kings are horribly afraid, they are troubled in their countenance" (ver, 35). Alarm for their own safety would be joined with their amazement at the downfall of Tyre. 3. With scoffing. " The merchants among the peoples hiss at thee" in malicious joy. They who bad been her rivals in commerce, and they who had envied her prosperity, would look upon the ruin of Tyre with rejoicing and scorn. Tyre had exulted in the destruction of Jerusalem, and when her evil day came there were those who exulted in her destruction. "The Lord is a God of recompenses, he shall surely requite." CONCLUSION. Our subject has an impressive message to a nation like our own. In some respects we resemble the proud queen of the sea, particulo.rly in our insulo.r situation, our world-wide commerce, and our great power. Let us take heed that we do not resemble her in her sins-her selfishness, her self-sufficiency, her pride, her boasting. Only as our life as a nation is marked by righteousness and the fear of God have we any reliable guarantee for our continued permanence and prosperity.-W. J. Vere. 12-25.-.A picture of extensive commercial relations, "Tarsbish was thy merchant by re11Son of the multitude of all kind of riches," etc. The following topics arc suggested for consideration. !. TnE DISTBilllJTION OF THE PRODUCTS OF CREATION IN THE VARIOUS COUNTRIES 01!' THE WORLD. We see from the verses before us tha~ Tyre drew its supplies from and sent its productions to most or all the places of the then known civilized world. No country cn.n supply its own inhabitants with all the necessaries and luxuries of life. Every country produces something which, if not needful, is desirable for other countries. No one can say to another, "I have no need of thee." In this arrangement we have an evidence of the wisdom and goodness of the Creator. II, THE MUTUAL DEPENDENCE .AND INTERCOURSE OP NATIONS ARISING OUT OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF THEm RESPECTIVE PRODUCTS. Tyre had commercial relations with all the places mentioned in our text. Amongst these different peoples there was a mutual dependence. The interestR not even of the mightiest and most extensive empire are absolutely self-contained or independent of others. The strong depend upon the weak at least for some things. To-day Great Britain draws supplies for her count- less and multifarious wants from every quarter and almost (if we may use the expres- sion) from every corner of the world, and sends her products to every part of tho world. This mutual dependence and intercourse of nations helps forward the development and progress of mankind. It contributes to the recognition of excellence in others, though it may be of a type different from our own, to the enlargement of our views and ideas, to the promotion of peace, etc. Ill, THE DUTY .AND INTERF:BT OF NATIONS TO CULTIVATE PEACEFUL AND FRIENDLY 100 THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. [oH. nvn. 1-36-