In what ways should Ezekiel 26:15 influence our view of divine justice? The Verse Itself “‘This is what the Lord GOD says to Tyre: Will not the coastlands quake at the sound of your fall, when the groans of the wounded arise and the slaughter occurs within you?’” (Ezekiel 26:15) Historical Snapshot: Why Tyre Was Judged • Tyre rejoiced over Jerusalem’s destruction and sought profit from Judah’s misery (Ezekiel 26:2). • Its leaders boasted of invulnerability and self-sufficiency (Ezekiel 28:2, 5). • Its commerce drew surrounding nations into corrupt gain (Isaiah 23:1-3). God’s verdict shows that no amount of wealth, influence, or geography shields a nation from His righteous judgment. Key Insights into Divine Justice • Justice that Shakes Surroundings – “Will not the coastlands quake…?” Divine judgment reverberates beyond the sinner; neighboring peoples feel the shock. Sin’s consequences are never isolated. • Justice that Matches the Offense – Tyre exulted at Jerusalem’s fall; now others tremble at Tyre’s fall. God’s retribution fits the crime (Obadiah 15; Galatians 6:7). • Justice that Is Audible and Visible – “The groans of the wounded arise…” God’s justice is not theoretical; it becomes painfully real in history (Nahum 3:4-7). • Justice That Affirms God’s Sovereignty over Nations – Tyre’s mighty walls and island harbor could not withstand the Lord GOD (Psalm 2:1-6; Acts 17:26). Earthly power bows to heavenly authority. • Justice that Warns the Onlookers – Coastlands tremble so they may repent before similar judgment falls on them (Jeremiah 25:15-17; 1 Corinthians 10:11). • Justice that Defends the Humiliated – Judah’s suffering was not forgotten; God rose to vindicate His covenant people (Isaiah 51:22-23). Supporting Scriptures that Echo These Truths • Psalm 97:4-6 — “His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles.” • Isaiah 13:6-8 — “Every man’s heart will melt… Their faces will be aflame.” • Romans 12:19 — “‘Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” • Revelation 18:9-11 — Kings and merchants mourn Babylon’s sudden collapse. What This Means for Us Today • Take Sin Seriously – If entire coastlands quake at one city’s fall, how weighty must sin be in God’s sight? Personal and national sin alike demand repentance. • Trust God’s Timetable – Tyre thrived for centuries before judgment came. Delay is not denial; divine justice arrives at the perfect moment (2 Peter 3:9-10). • Cultivate Humility and Compassion – Tyre’s pride and profiteering brought ruin. Choose generosity over exploitation, humility over boasting (James 4:6). • Find Comfort in God’s Vindication – The wounded in Jerusalem eventually heard Tyre’s collapse. Believers suffering injustice today can rest in the certainty that God will set all things right (Revelation 6:9-11). • Stay Alert as Witnesses – When God judges sin, the watching world “quakes.” Use such moments to point others to the cross, where justice and mercy meet (Romans 3:25-26). Ezekiel 26:15 invites us to regard divine justice as deeply moral, unmistakably public, and ultimately redemptive—designed not only to punish wickedness but also to warn, awaken, and vindicate. |
    |