In Isaiah 23, God describes the judgement that will come against Tyre and Sidon. It's a harsh one! These two cities were port cities of the country of Phoenicia, and in this judgement the cities will be torn down, the trade will cease, and the economy of that whole area (including the surrounding nations) will be affected by this.
In verse 8, the question is asked, "Who has purposed this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose merchants were princes, whose traders were the honored of the earth?"
Why has this been allowed? Tyre and Sidon were wealthy cities. Having business there could make you rich like a prince. This was a great city. But not anymore.
God answers the question in verse 9, "The LORD of hosts has purposed it, to defile the pompous pride of all glory, to dishonor all the honored of the earth."
God is showing that He's the one who should be honored, He's the one who should receive glory.
It reminds me a bit of 1 Corinthians 1:27-29, "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even the things that are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, so that no flesh might boast in the presence of God."
God is showing them that He is the one to receive glory. Him, and Him alone.
But what did Tyre and Sidon do to deserve such harsh judgment? Is God being mean?
The answer is no. If you read Ezekiel 26:2, you'll get a fuller picture of what's going on.
"Son of man, because Tyre said concerning Jerusalem, "Aha, the gate of the peoples is broken; it has swung open to me. I shall be replenished now that she is laid waste."
So Tyre and Sidon were watching the judgement that was coming against Israel by Assyria, and they were looking at it as an opportunity to get some extra cash. They were waiting for Assyria to clear out, so that they could move in and take whatever was left. God wasn't okay with that.
"I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."
-Genesis 12:3
God made this promise to Abraham, and it includes his offspring, Israel. Blessings will come to those who bless Israel, God's punishment will come against those who set themselves against her.
I'm encouraged by this, because it shows that God keeps His Word.
God made a promise to Abraham that He is still keeping today. That encourages me because that means that God will keep the promises that He's made to us too!
To name a few:
He'll be with us. Matthew 28:20
He's given us His Holy Spirit. John 14:16-17
He's called us. Ephesians 1:4
Nothing can separate us from His love. Romans 8:35-39
He's coming back for us. John 14:3
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