Ezekiel 25-28
What I Noticed Today (Ezekiel 25-28)
Ezekiel 25-32
Ezekiel turns his attention away from Jerusalem to give prophetic messages from God to the nations surrounding Israel. God had promised back in Genesis 12:1-3 that those nations who blessed his people would be blessed but those who cursed His people would be judged.
Ezekiel 25
Ezekiel 25 contains prophecies against Ammon, Moab, Seir, Edom, and Philistia. Ammon, Moab, and Edom were on the eastern side of Judah, and Philistia was on the western side.
Note: Ezekiel’s prophecies against these nations follow a three-step pattern: Because (you did), Therefore (God’s judgment), Then you will know that I am the Lord.
In verses 1-2, Ezekiel pronounced God’s judgment against Ammon in Ezekiel 21:28-32. Now the judgment is announced again. Because the people of Ammon (descendants of Lot) had rejoiced over the fall of Judah, they would also fall. God would send them to become a possession of the people of the East, and their capital (Rabbah) would become a pasture for sheep. Then they will know that He is the Lord.
In verses 8-11, Ezekiel pronounced God’s judgment against Moab (descendants of Lot). Because they were happy when Judah became like other nations, the Lord said He would send them to be a possession of the people of the East. Then they will know that He is the Lord.
In verses 12-14, Ezekiel pronounced judgment on Edom (descendants of Esau). Because Edom took revenge on the people of Judah, God said He would kill the men and animals from Teman to Dedan. Then they would know what it was like to experience God’s vengeance.
In verses 15-17, Ezekiel pronounced judgment on Philistia. Because they had acted revengefully against Judah with malice of soul, God would stretch out His hand against them cutting off the Cherethites (also spelled Kerethites) and destroying those on the seacoast. Then they will now that He is the Lord.
Ezekiel 26-28
Ezekiel now turns his attention north to pronounce a judgment against the city of Tyre. There are four separate oracles in this long prophecy. Each oracle begins with “The word of the Lord came to me” (26:1, 27:1, 28:1, 28:11).
Ezekiel 26
In verse 1, Ezekiel gave this prophecy on the first day of the month (we don’t know which month), in the eleventh year of Jehoiakim’s exile, so sometime between 587-586 B.C.
In verses 2-6, Ezekiel said because Tyre had been happy when Jerusalem fell thinking they would benefit (prosper), God said he would bring many nations against Tyre. They would come against her in waves, knocking down the city to barren rock. These nations will plunder Tyre, and then they will know He is the Lord.
In verses 7-14, the Lord describes in detail how Nebuchadnezzar will be sent from the north to attack Tyre. They will build up siege works, and battle rams will knock down the city walls. They will plunder the riches of Tyre, leaving nothing but bare rock. The city will never be rebuilt.
In verses 15-18, Ezekiel describes the reactions of Tyre’s neighbors when they hear what has happened to her. They will be appalled, go into mourning, and sing funeral laments.
In verses 19-21, When Tyre is destroyed, she will go to the underworld (pit) never to be inhabited again. Though people might search for her Tyre would be gone forever.
Ezekiel 27
In verses 1-4, Ezekiel laments the city of Tyre’s fall. Tyre was proud of their position as a sea trading city.
In verses 5-9, Ezekiel describes Tyre as a ship made of the finest materials: fir trees from Senir, cedar from Lebanon, oaks from Bashan cypress from Cypress, ivory, embroidered linen from Egypt, blue and purple dye from Elishah. Experienced seamen from Sidon, Arvad, and Tyre crewed the ships. Craftsmen to make repairs were from Gebal.
In verses 10-11 the army that protected Tyre included men from Persia, Lydia, Put, Arvad, Helech, and Gammad.
In verses 12-25, Ezekiel summarizes all the trading partners who did business with Tyre. See chart below adapted from Bible Knowledge Commentary:
In verses 26-27, Ezekiel describes Tyre’s destruction (the ships sink into the sea).
In verses 28-32, the surrounding nations and her trading partners cried aloud mourning the destruction of Tyre.
In verses 33-36, The trade from Tyre had enriched many nations. They shuddered with fear at her loss. If Tyre could be destroyed, what hope did they have?
Ezekiel 28
In verses 1-5, Ezekiel directs his third oracle against the ruler of Tyre. Because you have great wisdom that made you rich, you became proud.
In verses 6-10, your pride made your heart like the heart of a god. Therefore, the Lord will bring foreigners against you with a sword who will cast you down into the pit, and you will die in the seas. You thought of yourself as a god, but you will die the death of an ordinary man at the hand of foreigners.
In verses 11-19, the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel against the king of Tyre.
Note: Ezekiel used the Hebrew word for king (melek) rather than the word for prince/ruler (nĕgîd) as before in verses 6-10. This is significant because Ezekiel’s only other use of the word for a king was when referring to King Jehoiachin (Ezekiel 1:2).
Scholars disagree about who the king is that Ezekiel is referring to, but the consensus (and I agree) is that this king is Satan. Several descriptors point to this being Satan:
- Verse 13. In the Garden of Eden.
- Verse 14. An anointed guardian cherub.
- Verse 15. Blameless in your ways when created.
- Verse 16. You sinned so you were cast from the mountain of God.
- Verse 17. You were proud because of your beauty.
- Verse 17. You corrupted your wisdom for your sake.
The purpose of bringing up Satan as the King of Tyre is to compare their ends:
- Satan was cast out of heaven. Tyre would be cast down before other kings.
- Satan’s end will be the lake of fire. Tyre’s ruler was consumed by fire.
- Satan’s defeat will shock those who follow him. Tyre’s defeat will shock the nations who relied on her for trade.
In verses 20-24, the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel against Sidon.
Note: Sidon was another Phoenician city about 25 miles north of Tyre. Tyre and Sidon were closely linked, so perhaps Ezekiel didn’t feel it was necessary to state the need for God’s judgment.
The Lord says He will bring pestilence and the sword against Sidon. Then they will know that He is the Lord. The judgment upon Sidon will remove the last of the thorns that had brought pain to Israel.
Note: Baal worship had entered into Israel through Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, King of Sidon (1 Kings 16:31). When Sidon is judged, then Israel will know that He is the Lord.
In verses 25-26, Ezekiel concludes, saying God will manifest His holiness by gathering the people of Israel from all the lands where they had been scattered and restore them to the land. They will dwell securely in the land. God will execute judgments on the people who opposed them. Then they will know that He is the Lord. This prophecy will be fulfilled when Christ returns for His Millennial reign.
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