Dwell in the Word: Isaiah 23:1-18

Contemplate these questions as you dwell in Isaiah 23:1-18:

1. In this passage, God uses economic success and the trading activities of Tyre and Sidon as a means of judgment against them. How does the pursuit of wealth and economic prosperity become a stumbling block for these nations? What lessons can we draw from this regarding the potential pitfalls of pursuing material gain?

2. The imagery of Tyre as a "forgotten prostitute" who has profited from her actions is used in this passage. How does this imagery convey a message about the consequences of compromising one's values for personal gain? What role does consecration and holiness play in our choices regarding wealth and prosperity?

3. The passage speaks of Tyre's merchandise and wages becoming holy to the Lord, ultimately benefiting those who dwell before the Lord. What does this teach us about the proper use of our resources and blessings? How can we ensure that our wealth and possessions are used to bless others and bring glory to God?

Transcript:

As we come to this oracle concerning Tyre and Sidon, we get a feel of the way in which the economic part of their existence is very important. They seem to be having all this economic success. They have done this by their own power, it would seem, but God is actually going to use that as a means of judgment against them. He's going to use this in that way. And we see here in verse 9 that the Lord of hosts has purposes it to defile the pompous pride of all glory to dishonored all the honored of the earth. Now, the idea that is being expressed to us here is that they have used these things for a terrible purpose. They have built themselves up. They've put themselves in position of power. And that's the idea we've been getting, Isaiah, throughout here in different areas, that this is people building themselves up, making themselves exalted. They don't need God. They will survive by themselves. That's what is going on here. And here, we're talking about an economic thing. Now, of course, there are always economic ramifications for the judgments that we've read before. Obviously, if your city is destroyed, if your kingdom is laid to waste, you have issues.

But here, this is specifically focusing on the economics in this area. And we see here that God is powerful, that he has shaken all these kingdoms. We see this in verse 11, and he is continuing to do this here. He is setting things up that his people might be lifted up, that his name might be glorified. We see verse 11, He has stretched out his hand over the sea. He has shaken the kingdoms. The Lord has given command concerning Cainon to destroy its strongholds. In other words, this reaches out more. We have to remember, there's a lot of imagery with the sea in ancient times and in the Bible. A lot of times there's a lot of fear with the sea. But we also have to remember the sea was a substantial part of their economic system because you're sending stuff out. They didn't have trains, they didn't have trucks, they didn't have planes. If you're going to send it over great distances, you put it in this ship and you take it somewhere, and it's a sign of economic strength. It's a sign of economic success. But here we see God has stretched his hand over the sea and he has shaken kingdoms.

Their trade routes are in trouble. This is what is being expressed here. And it's all because God is in control. Again, the Lord has given commands concerning Cain to destroy its strongholds. Everything is subject to God. But we see some interesting language here at the end. There's a lot to look at here, but it's hard to keep it condensed. I want to take a look at this language of this forgotten prostitute that they have gone out and they've sold themselves and they have gotten money. And normally, we look in the Book of Deuteronomy, that wage, the wages of a prostitute, cannot be consecrated. But here we see that there's this idea that they're going to do this, but at the end of it, the Lord is going to visit Tire. We see this in verse 17, and she will return to her wages and will prostrate herself with all the kingdoms of the world on the face of the earth. This will continue to happen. But then God is going to take this and flip it. He is going to take this economic success that they did by essentially selling themselves out, but he's going to use it for his glory.

He's going to use it to help others. See in verse 18, Her merchandise and her wages will be holy to the Lord. It will not be stored or hoarded, but her merchandise will supply abundant food and fine clothing for those who dwell before the Lord. In other words, they're not going to be able to keep it for themselves. They're not going to be able to build up wealth, but instead it's going to bless other people. As we think about this passage, it's a tough passage to come away with any application, really, isn't it? But as we think about it, we need to remember that all things are consecrated to God. We like to hold up for ourselves and build our own little treasure troves, but ultimately everything goes back to God. We can't take it with us. And so God is best glorified when we are able to take those gifts that He has given us, and also the gifts that we have to be able to build up wealth or build up our possessions. There's wisdom that comes from God to be able to be good with money. He blesses some people in that way, but is best used when it is sent back out, when it is able to be not stored or horded, but instead be a blessing to others.

And so may we use the gifts that God has given us, whether that is financial or whether it's the abilities that we have. May not we not keep those things for ourselves, but may they be a blessing to the people of God, those who dwell before the Lord.