“Do not forbid him, for no one who does a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.” – Mark 9:39
Phoenician Trade and Influence
We learn that the Phoenicians were a highly skilled group of traders and merchants, famous for their seafaring capabilities. Their influence spread far and wide, reaching various regions through trade. This is vital for us to recognize, as it showcases how God can use different nations and communities to fulfill His purpose and contribute to the larger narrative of history. Through their trade, the Phoenicians brought not just goods, but cultural exchanges and interactions that shaped the ancient world.
Isaiah 23:1
“The burden of Tyre: Wail, you ships of Tarshish! For it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no harbor; it is reported to them from the land of Cyprus.” – Isaiah 23:1
Ezekiel 27:3
“And say to Tyre, ‘You who are situated at the entrance of the sea, merchant of the peoples on many coastlands, thus says the Lord God: O Tyre, you have said, “I am perfect in beauty.” – Ezekiel 27:3
Jeremiah 47:4
“Because of the day that is coming to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every helper who remains. For the Lord is going to destroy the Philistines, the remnant of the coastland of Caphtor.” – Jeremiah 47:4
Ezekiel 27:9
“The elders of Gebal and its skilled men were in you as your repairers; all the ships of the sea and their oarsmen were in you to barter for your wares.” – Ezekiel 27:9
1 Kings 10:22
“For the king’s ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram. Every three years they brought gold, silver, ivory, apes, and monkeys.” – 1 Kings 10:22
Phoenician Idolatry
While the Phoenicians are often recognized for their impressive trade and seafaring skills, they were also known for their idol worship practices. This aspect of their culture serves as a reminder for us to remain vigilant in our faith. The Bible frequently warns against the allure of false gods and the dangers of straying from true worship. As we reflect on the Phoenician idolatry, we are encouraged to reject the distractions of the world and to stay wholehearted in our dedication to the one true God.
1 Kings 16:31
“And as if it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took as his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; and he went and served Baal and worshiped him.” – 1 Kings 16:31
2 Kings 21:3
“For he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them.” – 2 Kings 21:3
Isaiah 57:5
“Inflaming yourselves with gods under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks?” – Isaiah 57:5
Ezekiel 8:14
“So he brought me to the door of the north gate of the Lord’s house; and to my dismay, women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz.” – Ezekiel 8:14
Jeremiah 44:17
“But we will certainly do whatever has gone out of our own mouth, to burn incense to the queen of heaven and pour out drink offerings to her, as we have done, we and our fathers, our kings and our princes in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; for then we had plenty of food, were well-off, and saw no trouble.” – Jeremiah 44:17
Phoenician Contributions to Society
The Phoenicians made immense contributions not just to trade and commerce, but also to society as a whole. They are credited with the creation of the alphabet we use today. This transformation in communication aids in strengthening our own faith and spreading the message of the Gospel. When we recognize the contributions made by others, we are better equipped to appreciate the richness of God’s creation and the variety of paths He has paved in history.
Exodus 20:25
“And if you make Me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone, for if you use your tool on it, you have profaned it.” – Exodus 20:25
Jeremiah 10:9
“Silver is beaten into plates, it is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the craftsmen and of the hands of the metalsmith; blue and purple are their clothing; they are all the work of skilled men.” – Jeremiah 10:9
Isaiah 2:16
“and upon all the ships of Tarshish, and upon all pleasant pictures.” – Isaiah 2:16
Ezekiel 27:12
“Tarshish was your merchant because of your many luxury goods; they gave you silver for your goods.” – Ezekiel 27:12
1 Kings 10:22
“For the king’s ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram. Every three years they brought gold, silver, ivory, apes, and monkeys.” – 1 Kings 10:22
Phoenician Relations with Israel
The Phoenicians had a complex relationship with the people of Israel. While there were moments of cooperation, there were also periods of tension. This ambivalence serves to illustrate the importance of maintaining our relationships in faith. We can learn from these interactions to navigate our connections with others—striving for unity, love, and mutual respect while avoiding pitfalls that may lead us away from the truth of God.
1 Kings 5:1
“Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to David, and David sent to Hiram, saying:” – 1 Kings 5:1
1 Kings 16:31
“And as if it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took as his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; and he went and served Baal and worshiped him.” – 1 Kings 16:31
2 Chronicles 2:3
“Then Solomon sent to Huram king of Tyre, saying: ‘Send me cedars and logs from Lebanon, for I know that you can do this. For the building of my house, and the house of the Lord, I will give you in return whatever you would desire from me.'” – 2 Chronicles 2:3
Joshua 19:29
“And the boundary turned toward Ramah and went to the fortified city of Tyre; then the boundary turned to Hosah and ended at the sea by the region of Achzib.” – Joshua 19:29
2 Kings 8:18
“And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done; for the daughter of Ahab was his wife.” – 2 Kings 8:18
Phoenician Gods and Deities
The Phoenicians worshiped a rich pantheon of gods and deities, which can lead us to ponder on the importance of our own worship. Recognizing how they valued their gods can serve as a reminder to us that true worship belongs to our God alone. As we reflect upon this, we must commit to deepening our own spiritual lives and rejecting any distractions that lead us astray from the path of true faith.
1 Kings 16:31
“And as if it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took as his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; and he went and served Baal and worshiped him.” – 1 Kings 16:31
Psalms 106:36
“They served their idols, which became a snare to them.” – Psalms 106:36
2 Chronicles 28:2
“For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel and made molded images of the Baals.” – 2 Chronicles 28:2
Jeremiah 11:13
“For according to the number of your cities were your gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem you have set up altars to that shameful thing—altars to burn incense to Baal.” – Jeremiah 11:13
Amos 5:26
“But you carried the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun, your idols, the star of your gods, which you made for yourselves.” – Amos 5:26
Phoenician Land and Geography
The Phoenicians inhabited a region that is now part of modern-day Lebanon, and understanding their geography is essential to appreciating their cultural legacy. This history serves as a reminder for us to know where we come from, both physically and spiritually. Knowing the land and the stories of those before us enables us to grasp God’s work throughout history and our role in the present and future.
2 Chronicles 8:17
“Then Solomon went to Ezion Geber and Eloth on the seacoast, in the land of Edom.” – 2 Chronicles 8:17
Isaiah 23:12
“And he said: ‘You will rejoice no more, O you oppressed virgin, daughter of Sidon; arise, cross over to Cyprus; there also you will find no rest.'” – Isaiah 23:12
Jeremiah 25:22
“and all the kings of Tyre, all the kings of Sidon, and the kings of the coastlands which are across the sea.” – Jeremiah 25:22
Ezekiel 27:3
“And say to Tyre, ‘You who are situated at the entrance of the sea, merchant of the peoples on many coastlands, thus says the Lord God: O Tyre, you have said, ‘I am perfect in beauty.'” – Ezekiel 27:3
2 Kings 17:24
“Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel; and they took possession of Samaria and dwelt in its cities.” – 2 Kings 17:24
Final Thoughts
The legacy of the Phoenicians is woven into the fabric of biblical history. Through trade, interactions with Israel, and their rich cultural practices, they remind us of the importance of connection and faithfulness to God. Their influence on communication through the alphabet serves as a testament to how even a small group can have a profound effect on the world around them.
As we reflect on their idolatry, we must uphold the truth of the Gospel against worldly distractions. This encourages us to evaluate the depth of our own worship. Let their history inspire us to remain steadfast in our faith, embracing our calling to love God and our neighbors, cultivating unity and respect within our own relationships.
We can find wisdom in their story, encouraging us to explore our own paths rooted in faith. For those of us seeking a deeper understanding, I invite you to read about foreigner verses or explore insights regarding evil in the world. Together, let’s learn and grow in our understanding of God’s purpose.