58 The King of Tyre as God

God wanted to specifically address him in a special message. He says that this man’s heart was lifted up in pride and so much that he declared himself to be a god. But more than that he said the he sits in the of the genuine seat of God in the midst of the Mediterranean. Here he is referring to the economic prowess he was able to administer in the shipping and trading with her partners. God says that never the less thou art man, and not God. The kings of Tyre believed they were divine. This ruler was Ethbaal III, who ruled from 591–590 B.C. to 573–572 B.C. Josephus calls him Ithobalus II. This chapter is full of unique expressions and because of its timing before the invasion of Nebuchadnezzar is clearly referring in the first part to the Babylonian invasion. The attitude of the king is more to the point that God is making here than a particular king. It was extreme pride brought on by massive success and control exercised over all the seafaring trade at that time in the Mediterranean Sea. The subsequent portion of this chapter will refer to the source of the spiritual wickedness driving this king