Isa 23:7

Isa 23:7  Is this your joyous city, whose antiquity is of ancient days? her own feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn.  Isaiah 23 is an oracle against Tyre. Tyre was situated to the north of Israel. It was the leading city of Phoenicia, the great maritime power of the ancient world. Because it was such an important harbour and centre for shipping, Tyre was synonymous with commerce and materialism. In the time of King David and Solomon, Tyre was a good friend of Israel. King Hiram of Tyre supplied David and Solomon great timbers for the building of the temple and other projects (2 Samuel 5:11; 1 Kings 5:1-11). But later, Tyre gave Israel one of the worst women Israel ever had: Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab of Israel (1 Kings 16:31). Sidon was a great city near Tyre, strongly united to her by commerce and league. Isaiah speaks of Tyre as the daughter of Sidon (v.12). History records reveal Tyre was founded by the Sidonians. Isaiah prophesies that Tyre will be forgotten for seventy years (v.15). This was fulfilled when Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, conquered Tyre and put it in subjection. But, at the end of seventy years, God said Tyre will return to her former glory of materialism (v.17). Isaiah describes Tyre as a “joyous city whose antiquity was of ancient days" (v.7a). It was a happy city that has stood for centuries. But, judgment would fall upon her in God’s chosen time: “The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth” (v.9). Though Tyre had stood for centuries, it fell. Earthly kingdoms never last forever. Long continuance in comfort leads to pride, laziness, and complacency; it begets a false sense of security. Tyre was a joyous city? Why? Because it lasted long and was prosperous. You look at companies that have been in existence for more than 100 years. We would think they will never fall – they are big, financially strong, and have stood the tests of time. Finance people trusted in those elements. Yet, they have been proven wrong time and time again. Where are Lehman Brothers, Tower Records, Pan Am, Kodak, Compaq Computers, Enron, Arthur Anderson, etc, today? This rich man was happy: “And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry” (Luke 12:19). He died that same night. Eat, drink, and be merry - This is the philosophy of the ancient Epicureans and atheists. They think that all that is valuable in life is to eat, and drink, and be merry. Earthly riches often keep us from going after heavenly riches as we should. Paul wrote: “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition” (1Timothy 6:9). Most of us are afraid of poverty; we should be afraid of wealth (Proverbs 30:8, 9). “Covetousness is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5). Those who have their heart set on the material things of this world will miss heaven. They let materialism replaces God (Matthew 6:24). They gradually fall away. Are the rich always happy? Is there a “joyous city” in this earth? I know of a truly “joyous city”. It is called heaven. The Bible has beautiful descriptions of heaven. It says that in heaven there will be no tears, no crying, no death, no sorrow, and no pain (Revelation 21:4). Add them all up, it spells – HAPPINESS. “When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory!” (Eliza E. Hewitt). What a joy!