Tag: Isaiah 23

Links for today’s readings:

Jun 24  Read: Isaiah 23 Listen: (2:50) Read: Acts 10 Listen: (5:49)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 23:12–13

12 He said, “No more of your reveling,
    Virgin Daughter Sidon, now crushed!

“Up, cross over to Cyprus;
    even there you will find no rest.”
13 Look at the land of the Babylonians,
    this people that is now of no account!
The Assyrians have made it
    a place for desert creatures;
they raised up their siege towers,
    they stripped its fortresses bare
    and turned it into a ruin.

Reflection: Abandoned at Sea

By Erin Newton

Much like the world today, political alliances were the means of survival for nations in the ancient world. Breaches in agreements resulted in war. When vassal nations wanted to shake off the yoke of submission, they often allied together against the ruling kingdom. Today we have international peace treaties, and there are alliances like the United Nations, NATO, and OSEAN. The understanding is that these nations will help one another through military aid, trade, or simple peace.

But what happens when all your allies are destroyed?

This is the situation that is prophesied against Tyre. Isaiah’s proclamation shows Tyre (Sidon) standing alone. No matter where they look, no one is there to help. Cyprus provides no rest. Babylon is powerless.

The message is bleak. Tyre was the kingdom of the sea, known for its naval power and ability to navigate along the coast and excel in trade. In the ancient world, “the sea” is also a mythic force of chaos. To control the chaos was a token of power. Now they are disowned by the sea, according to Isaiah—“For the sea has spoken: ‘I have neither been in labor nor given birth; I have neither reared sons nor brought up daughters’” (v. 4).

When we read this prophecy, we are invited to see ourselves in the place of Tyre. Our power might seem unshakeable, but Isaiah reminds us that all power will fall before the Lord. Even those we view as allies are not a match against God. So it challenges us to ensure our trust is planted in God alone. It cannot be weapons plus God. 

We also read this prophecy resting in the hope that the powers that oppress others will be torn down before the Lord. We persevere with the hope in the future—a future of God’s kingdom on earth.

We finally read this prophecy as a detached community thousands of years after its relevant audience. We read this as a study of God’s faithfulness to his people. Knowing that God does not change, the prophet’s trust in the future can also be our trust in the future.

No matter how dire things look now, how powerful nations may attempt to portray themselves, we trust in a God who controls the seas. We must lay down all that gives us a sense of power, lest we become like the ruined nations in Isaiah.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Protect my life and deliver me; let me not be put to shame, for I have trusted in you. — Psalm 25.19

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Read more: Kingmakers Unmade

Theoretically, wealth is a neutral tool…But…as we shape our world with this tool, it is exceedingly rare that it does not also shape us.

Kingmakers Unmade

Read more: Knocking on Heaven’s Door

During his regular practice of prayer, God’s message came to Cornelius.
Cornelius knocked and Heaven’s door opened.

Knocking on Heaven’s Door

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 23.8-9
8 Who planned this against Tyre, 
the bestower of crowns, 
whose merchants are princes, 
whose traders are renowned in the earth? 
9 The Lord Almighty planned it, 
to bring down her pride in all her splendor 
and to humble all who are renowned on the earth.

From John: Today we return to this post about “kingmakers” from 2022. There are always “kingmakers” around trying to convince us to build the kingdom of one or another of various kings or groups. We must be wary of listening to or acting as kingmakers unless the king is Jesus and the kingdom is not of this world.

Reflection: Kingmakers Unmade
By John Tillman

Until Alexander the Great built a land bridge to destroy the city 300 years before Christ, Tyre had been an island beloved by kings. It made its fortune and gained power by trade across the sea in many luxurious items.

Tyre was a city-state that, historically, was friendly to Israel. Tyre’s king, sent gifts to David and his son sent gifts to Solomon. Tyre remained on friendly economic terms with Israel. Historians partly credit the vast power, influence, and wealth of Tyre to its strategic location and its partnership with the most powerful kings Israel would ever have.

Isaiah called Tyre “bestower of crowns” and they were connected through trade to royalty across the Mediterranean and throughout the region. “Tyrian purple” was traded with Egypt and Israel and the color remained a mark of royalty and wealth through the New Testament and the Roman Empire.

The term “kingmaker” refers to those who through wealth, power, guile, or all three elevate someone of their choosing to a position of power. You probably know the names of some modern kingmakers. They don’t usually want to be the king. That’s too much work. They just want to pick a king of their liking. Their wealth and influence afford them the opportunity to shape the world.

This is not necessarily bad. It is part of the Edenic command to “subdue” the earth and create growth, blessing, and abundance. Originally this meant agriculture, but economic growth is just agriculture of a different kind. Historically, however, the wealthy and influential tend to end up like Tyre.

Jesus wasn’t joking when he said how hard it was for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God. Wealth has unique and difficult dangers that can poison us. Long before the rich young ruler sadly walked away from Jesus, Tyre was given as an example to the world that God would end the pride of those who elevated themselves.

Tyre is a universal warning to all people but even more so to those of us blessed with even moderate wealth. Theoretically, wealth is a neutral tool—neither evil nor good. But in practice, as we shape our world with this tool, it is exceedingly rare that it does not also shape us. 

We should take care that our hearts are shaped by Jesus’ warning and that we use our resources to shape a world that testifies to his kingship.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Morning Psalm
The Lord is King; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of the isles be glad.
Clouds and darkness are round about him, righteousness and justice are the foundations of his throne.
A fire goes before him and burns up his enemies on every side. His lightnings light up the world; the mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. 
The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory. — Psalm 97.1-6

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.


​Today’s Readings
Isaiah 23 (Listen 2:5)
Acts 10 (Listen 5:49)

Read more about Urgent Desire for More
The wealthy young man wasn’t ready to give up earning and he didn’t yet trust what he would stand to inherit.

Urgent Desire for More

Read more about Supporting Our Work
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Supporting our Work

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 23.8-9
8 Who planned this against Tyre, 
the bestower of crowns, 
whose merchants are princes, 
whose traders are renowned in the earth? 
9 The Lord Almighty planned it, 
to bring down her pride in all her splendor 
and to humble all who are renowned on the earth. 

Reflection: Kingmakers Unmade
By John Tillman

Until Alexander the Great built a land bridge to completely destroy the city 300 years before Christ, Tyre had been an island beloved by kings. It made its fortune and gained power by trade across the sea in many luxurious items.

Tyre was a city-state that, historically, was friendly to Israel. Tyre’s king, sent gifts to David and his son sent gifts to Solomon. Tyre remained on friendly economic terms with Israel. Historians partly credit the vast power, influence, and wealth of Tyre to its strategic location and its partnership with the most powerful kings Israel would ever have.

Isaiah called Tyre “bestower of crowns” and they were connected through trade to royalty across the Mediterranean and throughout the region. “Tyrian purple” was traded with Egypt and Israel and the color remained a mark of royalty and wealth through the New Testament and the Roman Empire.

The term “kingmaker” refers to those who through wealth, power, guile, or all three elevate someone of their choosing to a position of power. You probably know the names of some modern kingmakers. They don’t usually want to be the king. That’s too much work. They just want to pick a king of their liking. Their wealth and influence afford them the opportunity to shape the world.

This is not necessarily bad. It is part of the Edenic command to “subdue” the earth and create growth, blessing, and abundance. Originally this meant agriculture, but economic growth is just agriculture of a different kind. Historically, however, the wealthy and influential tend to end up like Tyre.

Jesus wasn’t joking when he said how hard it was for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God. Wealth has unique and difficult dangers that can poison us. Long before the rich young ruler sadly walked away from Jesus, Tyre was given as an example to the world that God would end the pride of those who elevated themselves.

Tyre is a universal warning to all people but even more so to those of us blessed with even moderate wealth. Theoretically, wealth is a neutral tool—neither evil nor good. But in practice, as we shape our world with this tool, it is exceedingly rare that it does not also shape us. 

We should take care that our hearts are shaped by Jesus’ warning and that we use our resources to shape a world that testifies to his kingship.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons
Teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom. — Psalm 90.12

Today’s Readings
Isaiah 23 (Listen -2:50)
Luke 5 (Listen -5:04)

This Weekend’s Readings
Isaiah 24 (Listen -3:11), Luke 6 (Listen 6:46)
Isaiah 25 (Listen -1:59), Luke 7 (Listen -7:14)

Read more about Solomon’s Folly
We are so easily overawed by wealth and wealth so easily overturns our morality.

Solomon’s Folly

Read more about Urgent Desire for More
The wealthy young man wasn’t ready to give up earning and he didn’t yet trust what he would stand to inherit.

Urgent Desire for More