Ezekiel 28:1-26
Q.1. What made Tyre so great? How did Tyre respond to its privileged position? What is the lesson for us? – (Ezk.28:1-10)
Paul asked the Corinthians – Who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? … Why do you boast as if you had not received it? (c.f. 1 Cor.4:7). God had given Tyre wisdom, understanding, and wealth (Ezk.28:3-5). In return, the people of Tyre had lifted up their hearts and claimed – I am a god, I sit in the seats of gods in the heart of the seas (Ezk.28:2 & 5). For such arrogance, God would bring down their pomp and prosperity – ‘For I have spoken!’ declares the Lord (Ezk.28:10).
Q.2. Why was Tyre compared with the Serpent in the Garden of Eden? How elevated was Lucifer? What went wrong? – (Ezk.28:11-19)
Both Ezekiel and Isaiah gave insights into the rebellion of Lucifer (Ezk.28:12-15; Is.14:12-15). Tyre acted just like Lucifer who had been elevated above all the other created beings in glory – 12 Thus says the Lord God, “You had the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The ruby, the topaz, and the diamond; The beryl, the onyx, and the jasper; The lapis lazuli, the turquoise, and the emerald; and the gold, the workmanship of your settings and sockets, was in you. On the day that you were created they were prepared. 14 You were the anointed cherub who covers, and I placed you there. You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked in the midst of the stones of fire. 15 “You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created until rebellion was found in you … 16 … Therefore, I have cast you as profane from the mountain of God. And I have destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire … 17 Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendour” (Ezk.28:13-17 c.f. Rev.20:10). Like Lucifer, Tyre was elevated – by the abundance of your trade but you were filled with violence, and you sinned … (Ezk.28:16).
Q.3. Why would Sidon’s destruction be imposed by God? – (Ezk.28:20-24)
Sidon also scorned Israel when God sent her into captivity. However, – I will be glorified in your midst. Then you will know that I am the Lord when I execute judgments in her, and I will manifest My holiness in her (Ezk.28:22). What a contrast for Israel – there will be no more … a painful thorn for the house Israel from those around who scorned them; Then they will know that I am the Lord God (Ezk.28:24)
Q.4. How will things turn out for Israel? What does this tell us about our Covenant-keeping God? – (Ezk.28:25-26) = God will never break His covenant with His people whom He foreknew (Rom.11:2). He will bring to pass that which had never happened – 25 Thus says the Lord God, ‘When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered and will manifest My holiness in them in the sight of the nations, then they will live in their land which I gave to My servant Jacob. 26 They will live in it securely; and they will build houses, plant vineyards, and live securely when I execute judgments upon all who scorn them round about them. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God (Ezk.28:25-26). We depend on a promise keeping God.