“I will send you to the pit to join those who descended there long ago. Your city will lie in ruins, buried beneath the earth, like those in the pit who have entered the world of the dead. You will have no place of respect here in the land of the living.” (Ezekiel 26:20, NLT)

In chapters 26 through 28, God judges the great Phoenician city of Tyre. Tyre was on the Mediterranean coast and was world renowned for her sea trade and the strength of her navy. Tyre consisted of a walled city on the mainland and an island offshore. Ezekiel’s prophecy against Tyre was exquisitely fulfilled by both Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and Alexander the Great. Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the city on the mainland. Then centuries later Alexander destroyed the island fortress by building a causeway out to the island from the rubble of the old mainland city. The destruction of Tyre epitomizes God’s opposition of pride in every form. Even though Tyre had exalted herself to the heavens, she was brought down to the pit.

This account of Tyre shows us how faithfully God fulfills His word. The same God who literally fulfilled this prophecy through Ezekiel will fulfill all of the words of His prophets. We must remember this as Bible prophecies are being fulfilled in these last days!

This story also reveals how God always opposes the proud. Christ said that whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted (Luke 14:11).

And James tells us:

“God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6, NKJV)

It can be difficult to watch proud people thrive in this world. They shake their fist at God and yet seemingly prosper for many years. But their day is coming when they will be brought down from their high place. On the other hand, those who humbly wait upon God and who serve Him faithfully can rest assured that God sees everything. He will provide for all their needs, and in due time He will lift them up!