I hold fast to your statutes, O Lord; do not let me be put to shame. (Ps. 119:31)
GOD WAS SERIOUS when He told His prophet in Ezekiel 26 that conquering nations would destroy Tyre’s walls, break down its towers, lay its stones and timbers in the sea, and scrape up even the very dust.
About fifteen years later, King Nebuchadnezzar conquered the city. The walls were broken down, leaving behind ruins and heaps of rubble, not unlike any other fallen city. Nothing was thrown into the sea; there was no scraping of dust. God’s dire words hadn’t really come to pass.
But fast-forward another 235 years, to 334 bc. Alexander the Great’s army had arrived. Tyre was a city divided into two parts—one on the coast (which had been conquered), the other made up of two small, connected islands with a strong fortification, located three-quarters of a mile from shore. (It had not been conquered.) After seven months of unsuccessful siege, Alexander built a massive breakwater of masonry, large stones, and earth, forming a footbridge to the island. His troops shoveled up all the ruins from the first destruction of Tyre, scraping down to the bare rock, dumped it all into the sea, and marched across, capturing the fortification, and fulfilling God’s prophecy completely.
Does science, psychology, political correctness, or popular thought disagree with something in God’s Word? Do yourself a favor: believe God. He’s never wrong and always does exactly what He says!
Accept God’s Word by faith, even when it seems wrong by sight.
Neil S. Bowers lives in San Diego, California, with his wife and four children. A state correctional officer, he enjoys poetry and wood carving.
