Isaiah - Chapter-23

Chapter Summary

Burden of Tyre. Desolations preceding the final deliverance of Israel.

Verse 1 is addressed to ships and verse 4 describes what the sea says. How do you interpret these figures of speech that describe conversation with inanimate objects? What does it tell us about the nations of Tyre and Sidon that their ships wail and their seas disown them?
History tells us that the Phoenician city states of Tyre and Sidon were economic superpowers. How can you see God reacting to this fact in the passage?
How would you relay Isaiah's message about the dangers of trusting in economic power to today's culture?
What is meant by the metaphor of prostitution in verse 17?
Verse turns from negative comments about economic power to more righteous uses for money. What do these verses teach us about money and God's house today?
In verse 4 there is a command to be ashamed. Why would God command this and how does this contrast with the pride the nation has been exhibiting?
In verse 5, we see that other nations are appalled by the judgement of Tyre and Sidon. How could Egypt have learned from their example with regard to pride?
What do verses 8-9 show us about the theological perspective of the real reason the destruction is happening?
How does verse 12 show us what the desired outcome and response of these events is?
How would you respond if you were living in Tyre and Sidon at this time and heard this oracle?