Ezekiel 26:1-21

“Too big to fall” is an expression we use to refer to big business or even nations that, from a human perspective, seem essential to the general good.  We have seen governments “bailout” businesses and the United Nations save the economies of a struggling nation.  The city of Tyre was thought to have achieved that status in the days of Ezekiel.  Tyre was the capital of Phoenicia and was vital to the economy of the entire region.  From God’s perspective there is never a city, nation, business or person that is “too big to fall.”  God stands over the nations and every person in every nation and holds their lives in His hands.  He does with our lives and the history of this world as He sees fit.  We must never allow our pride to convince us otherwise.

THE ABOMINATION OF TYRE: Tyre was a wicked and sinful city in a perverse nation.  The people worshiped idols and lived in immorality.  However, the abomination that brought about her destruction was the sin of pride.  Ezekiel prophesied against this city in the same year that Jerusalem was destroyed.  When Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem the city of Tyre rejoiced and made fun of her neighbor.  Instead of being humbled by the fall of Jerusalem and repenting in light of this judgment they became prideful.  It is always wise to learn from the mistakes of others and not rejoice when other fall into judgment.  God’s grace is the only reason all of us are not consumed.  There is no room for gloating when God judges the nations.

THE ADMIRATION OF TYRE: Tyre was a city that was vital to the economy of all of the Mediterranean region.  The general conviction of all the neighboring nations was that her walls were too thick to penetrate, her position too strong to attack and her army too powerful to be taken.  They were wrong.  When the news of Tyre’s fall was published to the surrounding nations they were filled with fear and admiration.  They realized that if Tyre could fall any of them could fall.  This is the response all of us should have when someone falls into sin or under God’s judgment.  God wants us to have a clear recognition that all of us are susceptible to sin and vulnerable.  Our dependence must always be upon the Lord.

THE ANNIHILATION OF TYRE: The annihilation of Tyre was complete.  The city was completely destroyed.  The people were all killed or taken captive.  The walls and buildings were flattened.  This once vibrant and vital city became a place where fishermen would spread their nets to dry.  It was uninhabitable and the city would never be rebuilt.  The scorned the destruction of Jerusalem and their own destruction would be more severe.  God is not afraid to completely destroy a nation or people off of the face of the earth.  All of us must remind ourselves that none of us is “too big to fall.”