RTW 2024

Son of man, give the prince of Tyre this message from the Sovereign LORD: “In your great pride you claim, ‘I am a god! I sit on a divine throne in the heart of the sea.’ But you are only a man and not a god, though you boast that you are a god.”

Ezekiel 28:2

The Bible first mentions Tyre in a list of cities that were part of the inheritance of the tribe of Asher (Joshua 19:24–31). Fortified with a wall, Tyre held an exceedingly strong position. It was the only city in the list described as “strong” or “fortified” (verse 29). Joshua was unable to capture Tyre (Joshua 13:3–4), and, evidently, it was never conquered by the Israelites (2 Samuel 24:7).

The King of Tyre

• Failed to recognize God’s goodness and sovereignty, attributing his success to his own wisdom, strength, and power.
• Overpowered other nations and greedily took over them because he was not satisfied with all that he had.
• Expanded his wealth at the expense of the wellness of others.

When I have a high opinion of myself, I easily fall into the me, mine, and I trap. Like Tyre I exchange

• Success for Greed 
• Wisdom for Lust 
• Holiness for Irreverence 

Pride generates disgrace.

• When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
  Proverbs 11:2 (NIV)
  
  

Pride breeds quarrels.

• Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
  Proverbs 13:10 (WEB)
  
  

Pride creates destruction.

• Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
  Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)

Prayer to escape me, my, and I trap:

O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die. First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.
Proverbs 30:7-9

I wonder why the story of the soldiers who escaped was told three times.

Avoid the trap.