Ezekiel 26 is a description of the destruction of Tyre. We’ll read more about Tyre in the next chapter.

Here we’re told just one thing Tyre did wrong. They saw the destruction of Israel, of Judah, and thought they had been turned over to Tyre to be plundered.

It certainly seems natural for an enemy army to want to take advantage of the situation and plunder what was torn down and left unguarded.

When there is a disaster or rioting, there are always looters, people taking advantage of the distraction and chaos to take for themselves.

They were punished for it.

Israel’s walls were broken down. She was left unguarded. Her valiant men were taken captive.

What is the right response when someone has been broken down?

Compassion.

We don’t think how we can benefit from the situation and slip in and take over the position where they had fallen from.

We care. We love. We recognize that but for the grace of God we’d be in their situation.

We deserve hell. God spares us much!

Think of a homeless person or someone you might see drunk. Can you look with compassion?

What about someone who hasn’t been nice to you. If they have a public fall/fail, do you respond with compassion?

When a public leader falls/fails whether in the business world, politics, or in the church, do you respond with compassion?

Are you caring about them in that moment?

God grant us soft hearts that love others, that understand that but for the grace of God we’d be in the same situation or worse! Thank You, Father, for keeping us close to You and safe from harm.