Ezekiel

Ezekiel 27: God laments Tyre’s lost splendor

Begin in prayer

Before hearing Tyre's lament, let us set our thoughts of success before the Lord. Ask God to quiet our thoughts, meet with this household and open our eyes to Christ in Ezekiel 27.

Those who trust in their wealth, and boast in the multitude of their riches — none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give God a ransom for him.

Psalm 49:6-7

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us understand the fall of this splendid city and see Jesus, whose salvation cannot sink with earthly wealth. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

God commands Ezekiel to lament over Tyre, which calls herself perfect in beauty. The city is pictured as a splendid ship built, sailed, repaired and defended by people from many lands. Nations fill her trade with metals, animals, food, cloth, precious stones and even human beings. Judah and Israel bring wheat, honey, oil and balm among her many goods. An east wind breaks the ship, and her riches, workers and defenders fall into the sea together. Those who dealt with her mourn bitterly, while kings tremble and merchants hiss at her ruin.

As you read Ezekiel 27, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God shows how Tyre’s splendid wealth ends in ruin and bitter mourning.

God commands a lament over Tyre, the trading city that calls herself perfect in beauty. He pictures her as a magnificent ship whose materials, skilled workers and armed defenders come from many lands. The long list of trading partners shows how widely her wealth reaches, from food and cloth to metals and precious stones. People themselves are among the goods exchanged, exposing a trade that treats human lives as merchandise. Judah and Israel also appear among those who trade with her, bringing wheat, honey, oil and balm. Then the picture changes, as an east wind breaks the ship and all its cargo and company sink together. The same peoples enriched by her goods mourn with dust, ashes and bitter cries. Splendor shared across the seas cannot prevent a collapse that leaves kings afraid and merchants hissing.

How does God show in Ezekiel 27 that Tyre's splendid wealth ends in ruin and bitter mourning?

God sees the splendor of the trading city.

Tyre calls herself perfect in beauty, and the lament pictures her as a splendid ship (verses 1 to 11). Timber, sails, rowers and defenders come from many places. Her strength and beauty draw on the work of other peoples.

God names wealth that reaches many peoples.

Nations exchange metals, livestock, cloth and food for Tyre's merchandise (verses 12 to 25). Judah and Israel bring wheat, honey, oil and balm. The trade also includes human beings.

God shows the ruin wealth cannot prevent.

The east wind breaks the ship, and riches and people fall into the sea together (verses 26 to 36). Sailors mourn bitterly, and merchants hiss at her ruin. Kings who knew her splendor are now afraid.

Memorize

Your rowers have brought you into great waters: the east wind has broken you in the heart of the seas.

Ezekiel 27:26

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what possession do I trust to keep me safe? Have I come to Jesus instead?

The lament names Tyre's riches and people, then says they “shall fall into the heart of the seas in the day of your ruin”. The splendid ship cannot preserve those aboard. Wealth that once enriched kings disappears, leaving bitter mourning. The things we own cannot carry us safely through God's judgment.

Jesus came to purchase His people with His own blood. He suffered for their sins and died for them on the cross. His offering accomplished their redemption, and it supplies all they need to be reconciled to God. He was raised from death, and the salvation He finished will never fail those who trust Him.

Please turn from your sin and place your faith in Jesus. He promises forgiveness to every sinner who comes to Him. Bring Him your love of possessions and your fear of losing them. Ask Him to become your treasure and teach you to use what you have in His service.

Parent's note

Tell your children that riches cannot save them, and Jesus died and rose to redeem sinners who trust Him. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for exposing false security and giving lasting salvation in Jesus, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For in an hour such great riches are made desolate.’ Every ship master, and everyone who sails anywhere, and mariners, and as many as gain their living by sea, stood far away,

Revelation 18:17

Lord, thank You for warning us that earthly wealth cannot keep us safe. Forgive our love of possessions, and help each one repent and believe in Jesus Christ. Please teach us to receive Your gifts with gratitude, share them gladly and find our hope in the Savior who lives. Amen.