What can we learn from Sheba and Raamah's trading practices in Ezekiel 27:22? Setting the Scene • Ezekiel 27 records a lament for the proud port-city of Tyre. • God catalogs Tyre’s trading partners to highlight both its former glory and its coming ruin. • In that list we read: “The traders of Sheba and Raamah dealt in your merchandise; they paid for your wares with the best of all kinds of spices, precious stones, and gold.” (Ezekiel 27:22) Who Were Sheba and Raamah? • Genesis 10 links both peoples to Cush in southern Arabia. • Sheba became renowned for wealth, frankincense, and myrrh (1 Kings 10:1-10). • Raamah likely occupied nearby territory, positioned on caravan routes that funneled luxury goods northward to Tyre and the Mediterranean world. What They Traded and How They Traded • “The best of all kinds of spices” – costly aromatics used for medicine, worship, and royal courts. • “Precious stones” – gems valued for beauty and durability. • “Gold” – universally accepted measure of wealth, symbolizing lasting value. • They did not barter inferior wares; they offered first-rate merchandise, showing both their resources and their commitment to excellence. Principles We Can Draw Today • Excellence glorifies God. Bringing “the best” reflects His character of perfection (Colossians 3:23). • Honest exchange builds trust. Fair dealing was assumed; Scripture praises accurate measures (Proverbs 11:1). • Specialization and diligence create abundance. Arabia’s unique resources met Mediterranean demand—an early picture of healthy interdependence. • Wealth is a stewardship, not an end. The very items that enriched Tyre could not save it from judgment (Matthew 6:19-20). Warnings Wrapped in the Passage • Tyre’s downfall shows how commerce can breed pride (Ezekiel 28:5-6). • Luxuries often tempt hearts to idolatry: “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10) • Earthly markets are temporary; God’s kingdom endures (James 5:1-3). Christ-Centered Perspective on Commerce • The Queen of Sheba’s lavish gifts to Solomon foreshadow Gentile worship of Christ (Matthew 2:11). • Jesus is the true treasure “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). • When business points people to the surpassing worth of Christ, it fulfills its highest purpose. Living It Out • Strive for quality in every task—offer your “best spices.” • Conduct business transparently—let your “weights and measures” be righteous. • View profits as a means to serve God and bless others, not as ultimate security. • Keep eternal values in view; earthly markets fade, but investments in God’s purposes never lose value. |
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