Ezekiel 27

Ezekiel 27:3-4, 33-34 NIV84

Say to Tyre, situated at the gateway to the sea, merchant of peoples on many coasts, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says:

" 'You say, O Tyre,
"I am perfect in beauty."
Your domain was on the high seas;
your builders brought your beauty to perfection.

When your merchandise went out on the seas,
you satisfied many nations;
with your great wealth and your wares
you enriched the kings of the earth.
Now you are shattered by the sea
in the depths of the waters;
your wares and all your company
have gone down with you.

Ezekiel 27 is a lament over the fall of Tyre. This coastal town, that was partially built on an island, is likened to a beautifully built merchant ship. Everyone likes her. Everyone does business with her. She appears to have no enemies. Yet in her greatness she will fall like a ship in a storm.

One of the problems with Tyre was that she used the wrong metrics to determine her greatness and her glory. She was beautiful. She was wealthy. She was strong and protected. She was well liked. None of those things have anything to do with greatness in God's economy. Every one of those things are metrics we use today to measure greatness and security.

God honors, humility, faith and faithfulness, service, justice and love. We rarely measure those. Along with Tyre we continue to pursue beauty, wealth, power and popularity. We are shocked when those who have all those things end up with lives wrecked on the rocks like a broken ship. Maybe we should take note and realize we are pursuing the wrong things.

Father, forgive me for the many times I long for things that cannot make me happy, bring me peace, or make me a "somebody." Today may I pursue that which makes me great in your eyes.

By His grace,
Rick Weinert

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