Bible Commentaries

CONTENTS

This Chapter, as well as the two which follow, contains the Lord's judgment upon Tyre, and upon the same account, her rejoicing in the afflictions of God's Israel. The King of Babylon is decreed to become the scourge of Tyre.

That the Prophecy of Ezekiel hath a reference to events greater than the deliverance of Israel from Babylon is granted by almost all writers, both Jews and Gentiles, And hence, various have been the attempts of men to unfold and explain this scripture. Tyre particularly hath been considered, as spiritually referring to the latter ages of the Church; and while the Prophet, in the first and literal sense, had his eye on the events of the Babylonish captivity, somewhat of an higher nature is supposed to be included, as referring to the latter day under the Gospel dispensation. Be this however as it may, it is very evident that this Chapter is delivered with peculiar reference to the Babylonish captivity.

I beg the Reader not to be alarmed, at the title here given to the Chaldean monarch. By a King of Kings, means no more than that by his victories, he had many Kings in tribute to him. The Lord was pleased to make use of this man, as he doth in numberless instances besides, as a suitable instrument for the accomplishing of his purpose. More than probable, yea, almost certain it may be said, Nebuchadrezzar had no consciousness who it was that led him on, and whose instrument he was, for humbling the Lord's people, and correcting other nations. Reader! it is very blessed, and very profitable to be setting the Lord always before us, and never to lose sight of that great truth: that He it is that doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, what doest thou? Daniel 4:35.

Those that favor the idea of mystic Tyre being here spoken of, and not ancient Tyre, (which could never be so considerable in point of commerce and of riches,) conclude, that what is here spoken refers to that glorious era of the Church, when the Lord shall bring again his people. It is very probable, that the Holy Ghost by the Prophet's ministry, directs the Church to this contemplation. The great slaughter to be made in Tyre; and the cry of the wounded; and the Princes of the Sea, coming down from their thrones to clothe themselves with trembling, and to take up a lamentation; these are no doubt most striking features of some very horrible visitation, and to some great maritime power. But what nation is here meant, I do not presume to say. The Lord in his own time will reveal; and that is consolation enough for the faithful in Christ Jesus. Say ye to the righteous that it shall be well with him. Isaiah 3:10. This, let every real, regenerated follower of the Lord Jesus, carry in his bosom; and beg of God the Holy Ghost to engrave the truth of it upon his heart. One point, here predicted, is abundantly plain, and in which I would wish the Reader to be more earnestly interested; namely, that when this mystic Tyre is brought down to the ground, then the Lord saith, I shall set glory in the land of the living. And what is Jehovah's glory, but Jehovah's Christ? the one only ordinance of heaven, for salvation, to his Church and people. And who are the living, but those who are regenerated, and become new creatures in Christ? Reader! let no man deceive you. He that hath the Son! hath life: and he that hath not the Son of God, hath not life. 1 John 5:12. Nothing short of the new birth, the new life, hid with Christ in God, will avail in that day, when God riseth to shake terribly the earth, (or what is the same thing to every individual as it concerns his own everlasting welfare,) the day of every man's death will determine for him finally and fully, whose he is, and to whom he belongs. Reader! are you in that blessed state now? Hath the Lord, as it concerns you, set glory in the land of the living? Is Christ formed in you, the hope of glory? Oh! precious testimony of God the Holy Ghost, when witnessing with our spirits, that we are children of God. So that we can, and do, bear witness also, to that soul comforting truth, Thy God, thy glory! Isaiah 60:19.

REFLECTIONS

OH! Eternal Spirit, who by thy servant the Prophet, hath here brought us into visions of God! condescend blessed Lord, to be our Guide and Teacher in them: If by the Tyre here spoken of as an enemy to the Church, we are to consider the ancient Tyre the foe to Israel, we bless thee, O Lord, for thus showing thy people how graciously thou hast always watched over them for good, notwithstanding their unworthiness; and considered the injuries shown to them, as directed against thyself. And if Lord, this prophecy hath a further reference to the after dispensations in thy Church; and this becomes some mystic Tyre, that shall be thrown down, and thy Church triumph over her, when thou shalt set glory in the land of the living; give, gracious Lord, wisdom, both to him that writes and to him that reads, humbly to wait at thy footstool, thy revelations, in their due season; and never presume to be wise above what is written. Grant Holy Lord, all suited and becoming grace to this purpose, and make the heart of each infinitely more studious, to be found among thy faithful people, when thou shalt set glory in the land of the living, than to be among the wise and prudent in their own conceit, from whom divine things are hidden. Oh! precious, precious Jesus! be it our one only desire, to be found in thee: that when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughter of Zion, and purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof, by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning; it may be our portion to be found written, among the living in Jerusalem! Amen.