Isaiah 23:8-9

Isaiah 23 is yet another complex prophecy, this time against Tyre. It seems that they would be judged and made desolate for 70 years then by an act of God, brought back again (only to be as bad as they were before: ' and commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world on the face on the earth' (Isaiah 23:17b).

However, i found a very simple message in it, and it is one that has been dealt with extensively thus far in Isaiah. We look to the reason of their downfall.

'Who has taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning city,
Whose merchants are princes,
Whose traders are the honorable of the earth?
The LORD of hosts has purposed it,
To bring to dishonour the pride of all glory,
To bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth.' (Isaiah 23:8-9)

I like the word 'purposed'. It is like God is sitting there reasoning and thinking. He sees the pride and arrogance of Tyre, which was apparently a very prestigious city in the ancient world. He is sitting there viewing this, and purposes to do something about it. He purposes to bring them low. Because he abhors pride. Which is only logical, since He is so much infinitely greater in every respect than any human being or city. It is sorta like little annoying kids that are really full of themselves and think they could beat you at anything. Doesn't that just annoy you? Well, compared to God, we are not even like little kids, we are infinitely small. So whenever we start thinking we're good at something - think again. Pride is not only evil, it is illogical. God has given us every single thing we have. Who are we to boast about the gifts that we have been given? That shows only immaturity (like little kids bragging about who got the best present at Christmas. Big kids don't do that (do they?)).

God has purposed to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth. For all the earth is cursed, and the world is in direct opposition to God. Therefore, anyone honorable only by earth's measure is nowhere on God's measure. But we have been given God's righteousness. The gift of salvation. And though we be contemptable on earth, we will have our reward in heaven!

'I will not boast in anything
no gifts, no power, no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and Resurrection.' (How Deep the Father's Love)