How does Ezekiel 27:19 connect with other biblical teachings on commerce? The Setting Ezekiel Paints “and Dan and Javan from Uzal traded for your wares; wrought iron, cassia, and calamus were exchanged for your merchandise.” (Ezekiel 27:19) Quick Takeaways from the Verse • Dan and Javan: mobile, far-flung traders • Uzal: Arabian center for high-quality yarns • Goods listed: durable metal (wrought iron) and fragrant spices (cassia, calamus) • Picture: a vibrant, international marketplace with mutually beneficial exchange—yet set inside a chapter of looming judgment on Tyre Commerce—A Gift, Not a Mistake • Genesis 2:15 – work predates the Fall; productive activity is God-given • Proverbs 31:16, 24 – the virtuous woman assesses fields, makes goods, “delivers sashes to the merchant” • Ezekiel’s catalog assumes the normalcy of trade; Scripture affirms legitimate buying and selling when done righteously Honesty and Integrity at the Core • Leviticus 19:35-36 – “You shall do no wrong in judgment: in measures of length, weight, or volume… you shall have honest scales.” • Deuteronomy 25:13-15 – dual sets of weights condemned • Proverbs 11:1 – “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.” → Ezekiel 27:19 records fair exchange—no hint of cheating. The verse lines up with the biblical insistence that commerce be transparent and just. When Profit Becomes Pride • Ezekiel 28:5 – Tyre’s wealth “by your great skill in trade you have increased your riches, and your heart has grown proud.” • Amos 8:4-6 – merchants itching to exploit the needy, “skimping the measure” • Matthew 21:12-13 – Jesus drives out profiteers who turned worship into a marketplace → Tyre’s extensive trade (v. 19) shows the lure of riches; God later judges the harbor city for arrogance rooted in commercial success. Dependence on God in Planning and Profit • James 4:13-15 – acknowledge the Lord’s will when making business plans • Proverbs 3:5-6 – trust the Lord, not merely market savvy • Ezekiel’s detail reminds readers that God, not gold or goods, ultimately controls destinies. Final Verdict on Corrupt Economies • Revelation 18:11-13 – end-time Babylon’s merchants mourn when their trade collapses • Isaiah 23:1 – an earlier oracle against Tyre foreshadows the same outcome → Ezekiel 27:19 sits within a chapter that previews the downfall of any city whose commerce refuses to honor God. Living It Out Today • Pursue business as a stewardship, not self-exaltation • Use honest pricing, accurate bookkeeping, transparent contracts • Remember profit serves people and kingdom purposes (Ephesians 4:28) • Keep worship central; never let trade crowd out devotion • Hold possessions loosely, anticipating the kingdom where righteousness—not revenue—endures |
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