What will they sing at your funeral? That provocative question frames our journey through Ezekiel 27, where God commands the prophet to sing a funeral dirge over the great trading city of Tyre—a city that hadn't yet fallen. This remarkable passage marks a pivotal shift in Ezekiel's ministry, as God turns His focus from mourning Israel to pronouncing judgment on her enemies.
The funeral song begins by painting a vivid picture of Tyre's magnificence—a coastal hub of global trade described as a majestic ship built with the finest materials from around the world. Cedar from Lebanon, oak from Bashan, Egyptian linen, and skilled craftsmanship from numerous regions created an empire that seemed invincible. The extensive catalog of trading partners and precious goods underscores just how influential this Mediterranean powerhouse had become. Yet halfway through, the tone shifts dramatically as God reveals how this mighty "ship" will be wrecked by an eastern gale, with everything—wealth, cargo, and crew—sinking into the depths.
This ancient prophecy confronts us with powerful questions about mortality and legacy. Just as someone composed a song summarizing Tyre's rise and fall, one day others will summarize our lives. Will they speak of someone who loved Jesus wholeheartedly? Someone who started well but finished poorly—or perhaps the reverse? The beauty of this message lies in its ultimate hope: it's never too late to course-correct while we still have breath. We can live in such a way that when our funeral comes, people won't sing songs of mourning but of celebration—celebrating a life transformed by God's grace. Listen now to discover how Ezekiel 27 challenges us to examine the soundtrack we're creating for our legacy.
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Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT).
Copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
