Ezekiel 26:5
She will become a place to spread nets in the sea, for I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD. She will become plunder for the nations,
She will become a place to spread nets in the sea,

Tyre’s proud island stronghold would be reduced to a barren place associated with fishermen rather than merchants and kings. Nebuchadnezzar devastated the mainland city, and Alexander the Great later used its ruins to build a causeway to the island, overthrowing Tyre’s defenses and plundering its wealth. The city that had mastered the sea would stand under the Lord’s judgment, displaying the end of human pride and self-sufficiency.

Ezk 47:10 Fishermen will stand by the shore; from En-gedi to…
Isa 19:8 Then the fishermen will mourn, all who cast a hook…
Luk 5:4 When Jesus had finished speaking, He said to Simon,…

for I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD.

The destruction of Tyre rested upon the unalterable decree of the sovereign God. Nations rise, prosper, and fall under His rule, and no military strength, commercial wealth, or natural defense can overturn His purpose. God’s spoken word accomplishes what He intends, as Isaiah 55:11 declares.

Ezk 24:14 I, the LORD, have spoken; the time is coming…
Ezk 17:24 Then all the trees of the field will know…
Isa 55:11 So My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me…

She will become plunder for the nations,

Tyre’s accumulated riches would pass into the hands of conquering powers. Her judgment warned the surrounding nations that prosperity without humility before God cannot endure. The Lord who had granted Tyre influence over commerce and the seas also held her accountable for her arrogance and hostility toward His people.

Ezk 25:7 therefore I will indeed stretch out My hand against you…
Hab 2:8 Because you have plundered many nations, the remnant…
Ezk 7:21 And I will hand these things over as plunder to foreigners…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet of God who ministered to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. He conveyed God's messages of judgment and hope.

2. Tyre
An ancient and prosperous Phoenician city located on the Mediterranean coast. Known for its wealth and strong maritime trade, Tyre was a significant power in the region.

3. The Lord GOD
The sovereign and covenant-keeping God of Israel, who declares judgment upon Tyre for its pride and opposition to His people.

4. Nations
Refers to the various foreign powers that would come against Tyre, fulfilling God's judgment by making it a place for spreading nets.

5. Judgment
The divine decree against Tyre, symbolizing God's sovereignty over nations and His response to their actions against His people.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Nations
The prophecy against Tyre demonstrates that no nation, regardless of its wealth or power, is beyond God's control and judgment.

The Consequences of Pride
Tyre's downfall serves as a warning against pride and self-reliance, reminding believers to trust in God rather than worldly riches.

The Certainty of God's Word
The fulfillment of prophecy underscores the reliability of God's promises and warnings, encouraging believers to live in obedience and faith.

The Temporary Nature of Earthly Wealth
Tyre's transformation into a place for spreading nets illustrates the fleeting nature of material wealth, urging Christians to invest in eternal treasures.

God's Justice and Mercy
While God judges nations, His ultimate desire is for repentance and restoration, offering hope to those who turn to Him.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the prophecy against Tyre in Ezekiel 26:5 reflect God's sovereignty over human history and nations?

2. In what ways can the downfall of Tyre serve as a warning against pride and self-reliance in our own lives?

3. How does the certainty of God's word, as seen in the fulfillment of prophecy, encourage you to trust in His promises today?

4. What lessons can we learn from Tyre's transformation into a place for spreading nets about the temporary nature of earthly wealth?

5. How can we balance understanding God's justice with His mercy when considering His judgments on nations like Tyre?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 23
This chapter also prophesies the downfall of Tyre, emphasizing the temporary nature of human pride and wealth.

Jeremiah 25:22
Mentions Tyre among the nations that will drink from the cup of God's wrath, highlighting the comprehensive nature of divine judgment.

Revelation 18
The fall of Babylon echoes the judgment on Tyre, illustrating the ultimate downfall of all worldly powers opposed to God.
Collision Between Man's Plans and God's PlansJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 26:1-6
The Sin and Doom of TyreW. Jones Ezekiel 26:1-21
The Fate of TypeJ.R. Thomson Ezekiel 26:3-6
People
Ezekiel, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar
Places
Babylon, Edom, Jerusalem, Tyre
Topics
Affirmation, Declares, Fishnets, Goods, Middle, Midst, Nations, Nets, Plunder, Says, Sovereign, Spoil, Spoken, Spreading, Stretching
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 26:5

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Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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