Conclusion of "Howl, You Ships of Tarshish!"

Engaging in commercial enterprise, the wealthy Sidonian merchants traverse the Mediterranean sea.  They carry to many places the seed, or grain, of Shihor, the eastern most branch of the Nile River in the delta region of Egypt.  (Compare Jeremiah 2:18(  "The harvest of the Nile" also includes other produce from Egypt.  Trading and bartering in such goods is highly profitable for these seafaring merchants as well as for the nations with which they do business.  The Sidonian traders fill Tyre with revenue. Indeed they will grieve at her desolation!

Isaiah next addresses Sidon with the words:  "Be ashamed, O Sidon; because  the sea, O you stronghold of the sea, has said:  'I have not had birth pains, and I have not given birth, nor have I brought up young men, raised up virgins.' " (Isaiah 23:4)  After the destruction of Tyre, the coastline where the city formerly stood will look barren and desolate.  The sea will appear to cry out in anguish, like a mother who has lost her children and is so distraught that she now disclaims  ever having had them.  Sidon will be ashamed at what happens to her daughter.

Yes, the news of the destruction of Tyre will cause widespread grief.  Isaiah says:  "Just as the report  pertaining to Egypt, people will likewise be in severe pains at the report on Tyre."  (Isaiah 23:5)  The pain of the mourning ones will be comparable to that resulting from the report about Egypt.  Which report does the prophet mean?  Possibly the fulfillment of his earlier "pronouncement against Egypt."  (Isaiah 19:1-25)  Or perhaps the prophet means the report of the destruction of Pharaoh's army in Moses' day, which caused widespread consternation.   (Exodus 15:4, 5, 14-16; Joshua 2:9-11)  In any case, those hearing the report of Tyre's destruction will be in severe pains.   They are invited   to flee to distant Tarshish for refuge and are commanded to make a noisy expression of their grief:  "Cross over to Tarshish; howl, you inhabitants of the coast land." -Isaiah 23:6. 

Next time: Exultant "From Her Early Times"

From the Book Isaiah's Prophecy Light for all Mankind, 2000