Isa 23:16-17 | KingComments | STEP | The destruction of Tyre will not be forever. After Babylon ruled over Tyre for seventy years ( ; ; ), the LORD will allow a restoration for Tyre. The way this is expressed is based on the idea that Tyre is a harlot who has been playing the harlot by her commerce with the nations. In the song of the harlot, Tyre goes back to her lovers to draw attention to herself again and lure them into trading with her as an attractive trading partner ( ). It is not trade as such that is condemned, but the way trade is conducted and the merchandise. Often trading involves literal harlotry, and involves trading in women to serve as prostitutes. In spite of again abusing the flourishing trade under the permission of the LORD, the LORD will achieve His own purpose with it. An example of this we see in the relationship between Hiram, the king of Tyre, and Solomon ( ). Also after the return of a remnant from Babylon to Jerusalem, Tyre and Sidon contribute to the rebuilding of the temple ( ). Soon, however, their striving for profit prevailed again ( ). Her harlot’s wages, the proceeds of her sinful trade, shall be holy to the LORD ( ). This will happen in the realm of peace. Then “the daughter of Tyre [will come] with a gift” ( ). That gift, and all that Tyre has earned with her trade, will be used by Him “for those who dwell in the presence the LORD”. His people will saturate themselves with the food of the nations and will dress themselves with the graceful garments of the nations. The riches of the nations will be brought to His people ( ; ). One day, all the glory of the earth will be detached from the power of sin to which it is now subject and attached. In that time, the time of the realm of peace, everything, including the world economy, will contribute to the glory of the King of kings and will be enjoyed as an inheritance by those who live in fellowship with the LORD.

‏ Isaiah 23:16-17

God’s People Get the Profit of Tyre

The destruction of Tyre will not be forever. After Babylon ruled over Tyre for seventy years (Isa 23:15; Eze 29:17-18; Jer 29:10), the LORD will allow a restoration for Tyre. The way this is expressed is based on the idea that Tyre is a harlot who has been playing the harlot by her commerce with the nations. In the song of the harlot, Tyre goes back to her lovers to draw attention to herself again and lure them into trading with her as an attractive trading partner (Isa 23:16-17). It is not trade as such that is condemned, but the way trade is conducted and the merchandise. Often trading involves literal harlotry, and involves trading in women to serve as prostitutes.

In spite of again abusing the flourishing trade under the permission of the LORD, the LORD will achieve His own purpose with it. An example of this we see in the relationship between Hiram, the king of Tyre, and Solomon (1Kgs 7:13-14). Also after the return of a remnant from Babylon to Jerusalem, Tyre and Sidon contribute to the rebuilding of the temple (Ezra 3:7). Soon, however, their striving for profit prevailed again (Neh 13:16).

Her harlot’s wages, the proceeds of her sinful trade, shall be holy to the LORD (Isa 23:18). This will happen in the realm of peace. Then “the daughter of Tyre [will come] with a gift” (Psa 45:12a). That gift, and all that Tyre has earned with her trade, will be used by Him “for those who dwell in the presence the LORD”. His people will saturate themselves with the food of the nations and will dress themselves with the graceful garments of the nations. The riches of the nations will be brought to His people (Isa 60:5; Psa 72:10-11).

One day, all the glory of the earth will be detached from the power of sin to which it is now subject and attached. In that time, the time of the realm of peace, everything, including the world economy, will contribute to the glory of the King of kings and will be enjoyed as an inheritance by those who live in fellowship with the LORD.