What lessons can we learn from Tyre's downfall about pride and security? Setting the Scene “They will plunder your wealth and loot your merchandise; they will tear down your walls and demolish your fine houses, and throw your stones, timber, and rubble into the sea.” (Ezekiel 26:12) Tyre’s Illusion of Security • Tyre was famous for impregnable walls, flourishing trade, and vast wealth. • In its own eyes, the city was untouchable; in God’s eyes it was ripe for judgment. • External success fostered an internal arrogance that ignored the Lord who “raises up and brings down” (Daniel 2:21). The Warning Against Pride • “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18) • God repeatedly promises to humble those who exalt themselves (Isaiah 2:11–12). • Tyre’s downfall shows how quickly human glory can be reversed when God resists the proud (James 4:6). When Earthly Fortresses Crumble Ezekiel 26:12 highlights three areas of misplaced confidence: 1. Wealth — “plunder your wealth and loot your merchandise.” 2. Defenses — “tear down your walls.” 3. Comfort — “demolish your fine houses.” All three evaporated overnight, echoing Psalm 33:17: “A horse is a vain hope for salvation; it cannot rescue by its great strength.” True Security Defined • “Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” (Psalm 20:7) • Lasting safety is not found in savings or structures but in the Savior. • Jeremiah 17:7 contrasts the cursed man who trusts human strength with the blessed man “whose confidence is the LORD.” Living the Lesson Today • Guard the heart: Perform regular pride checks through prayerful self-examination (Psalm 139:23–24). • Hold possessions loosely: Remember 1 Timothy 6:17—riches are “uncertain,” but God “richly provides.” • Build on the Rock: Jesus’ parable in Matthew 7:24–27 reminds us that only houses founded on His words withstand the storm. • Celebrate humility: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may exalt you in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6) |
    |