Lessons from a Cemetery

 Read Ezekiel 32.

The word of the LORD came to Ezekiel condemning Egypt, and particularly Pharaoh Hophra, for pride and false worship.  The prophecy came in seven messages that are found in these four chapters.  As the LORD concluded describing His judgment against them, the subject is death and the grave.

Pharaoh considered himself a god to his people and a lion among nations.  But God will not turn from such a challenge to His rightful place.  He promised to dethrone the king of Egypt and use the Babylonians to kill and destroy the land.  To make His point, the LORD reminded them of the demise of other once powerful nations.  They were all gone...dead...buried.

It does not matter how powerful, how wealthy, how famous a person is, death is an equalizer.  Job said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return." (Job 1:21a)  There are certain basic eternal truths concerning our temporary existence here on earth.

1. Everyone dies.
Physical death is the result of sin.  "Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned." (Romans 5:12)

2. Everyone dies once.
The Bible is clear.  There are no second chances after death.  We only have this life in order to prepare for eternity.  "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment." (Hebrews 9:27)  Knowing this should motivate everyone to be prepared.

3. Some will die twice.
Sin not only brought corruption and physical death, but sin also separated us from God.  The Scriptures refer to this as spiritual death.  Jesus came that we may have spiritual life (John 10:10b), a reconciled relationship with God.  Indeed, His claim is "I am the way, the truth, and the life..." (John 14:6)  Without coming to Jesus for spiritual life, one will go into eternity separated from God, tormented for their sin against Him.

4. Some are born twice.
The new birth is explained by Jesus in John 3.  It is a spiritual birth that takes place when a person commits themselves to Jesus for the forgiveness of their sin.  This results are a life-change now and a forever relationship with God.  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

 

2 vital reminders for national Survival

 Read Ezekiel 31.

"The LORD has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.  The wicked shall return to Sheol, all the nations that forget God." (Psalm 9:16-17)

Egypt is presented as a prime example of those verses.  This is the third of four chapters condemning Egypt.  Pharaoh Hophra and his military had an inflated self-perception.  Twice (vv.2 and 18), the LORD asked, "Whom are you like in your greatness?"  In this prophecy, God reminded them what happened to Assyria. 

Assyria ruled the entire Mesopotamian world.  God compared them to a beautiful tree.  There was none like it.  It became the envy of all the nations.  Their downfall came because they forgot two vital elements of national survival.

1. "I made it beautiful." (v.9)
As Creator and Owner of all things, the LORD raised up the Assyrians for a time to fulfill part of His plan in the world.  He allowed them to conquer and control that entire area.  But the Assyrians never gave God credit for what He had done.  They assumed it had all happened by their own power and might.  Their national "heart was proud" (v.10).

2. "I will give it into the hand of a mighty one of the nations." (v.11)
When a nation comes to believe that their blessings are the result of their own doing, they rob God of His glory.  Eventually, the LORD will intervene to prove His ownership.  Indeed, God raised up the Babylonians to conquer the Assyrians.  And, in this prophecy, God will bring Nebuchadnezzar to kill Pharaoh and destroy Egypt.
 
Every nation should take heed and learn these lessons of history.  The culture of our nation continues its moral downward spiral.  At the root is the same pride-filled, independent spirit of ancient Assyria and Egypt.  There is a sense that not only do we not need God, but the culture resents any mention of Him.  For decades the United States has sung Irving Berlin's masterful song, "God Bless America."  Even politicians who have never claimed to know the LORD will close their speeches with that phrase.  Instead, it is past time that America blesses God from Whom all blessing flow.

 

The high price of not worshiping God

 Read Ezekiel 30.

Pharaoh claimed in chapter 29 that, as a god, he made the Nile River and owned it.  The LORD responded with a prophecy of Egypt's judgment.  Here, are some details of that prophecy in the form of a funeral song, or lament.  God's destruction will be all inclusive.  Notice the fourteen times God says, "I will."  This is the LORD’s personal response to Pharaoh for robbing Him of His glory.

1. The People (vv.1-8)
Egyptians will be killed by the sword of the Babylonians.  The surrounding nations that supported Egypt will experience the same fate. 

2. The Wealth (vv.9-11)
In the previous chapter we are told that the Babylonians fought hard and long to destroy Tyre.  Yet, none of Tyre's wealth was found to pay the soldiers.  So, God promised the wealth of Egypt as Nebuchadnezzar's reward for meting out His justice (29:20).  This is referred to again in 30:10.  

3. The Land (v.12)
The real Owner of the Nile will dry it up for a time.  By reducing the main water supply to that region, the agriculture and food supply would dry up with it.

4. The Idols (v. 13)
All the multiplicity of false worship will be destroyed.  No man-made god is any match for the God of heaven.

5. The Cities (vv.14-19)
No stronghold will be able to stop the Babylonians.  Walls will be broken down and the buildings burned.

6. The Pharaoh's Power (vv.20-26)
His "arms" of strength to rule will be broken.  This is a reference to his personal authority and Egypt's armies.  Pharaoh Hophra and the nation will be unable to defend themselves.

The purpose behind God's judgment remains the same.  When a person rejects the authority and worship of the LORD, He will intervene in such a way that will be unmistakable.  "Then they will know that I am the LORD."  

 

Pharaoh thought he was in charge and did not need the LORD.  In the end, he lost everything. How much better is it to respond to His grace voluntarily!   "O, come!  Let us adore Him."

 

Giving credit where credit is Due

 Read Ezekiel 29.

Egypt had historically been the southern powerhouse of nations.  During times of trouble, Judah looked to their Egyptian neighbor for an alliance of help.  God pronounced a series of prophecies concerning Egypt that requires four chapters to deliver. 

1. The River Monster. (vv.1-5)
This Pharaoh would have been Hophra (589-570 B.C.)  Pharaohs were considered to be gods and the ultimate sin of Hophra was to claim that he made and owned the Nile River.  This was a direct affront to the real Creator and Owner of all things.  Comparing the Egyptian king to a large, ferocious monster in the river, God predicted his demise would be like hooking him and dragging him off in the desert to die.
   
2. The Reed. (vv.6-9a)
Judah allied with Egypt hoping to break free from the Babylonian oppression.  But when Judah leaned on them for support, they proved to be untrustworthy.  Therefore, God would judge them.

3. The Repercussions. (vv.9b-16)
God's punishment included reducing Egypt's power to nothing and scattering the people for a period of forty years.  After that time, the LORD promised to restore Egypt's fortunes.  However, never again would Egypt rule over other nations as it once did.

4. The Reward for Babylon. (vv.17-21)
The Babylonians were used by God as His instruments to judge the nations for their sin.  When Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Tyre, he expected to capture its great wealth.  But after all the hard work of the soldiers, they found nothing.  Evidently, in a protective move Tyre had shipped its wealth elsewhere.  The war had been costly without a pay-off.  God promised to give the wealth of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar as his reward. 

Taking credit for what God has done robs Him of His glory.  We must be careful to give the LORD the glory due Him.  Doing so will keep our pride in check, strengthen our awareness of His blessings, and cause us to speak of His goodness more often.

 

God deals with pride and a Promise

 

Read Ezekiel 28.

As the Lord continued to deliver prophecies concerning Tyre, He zeroed in on two individuals and has a word for two other nations.

1. To the prince of Tyre. (vv.1-10)
The ruler of Tyre at the time was Ethbaal III.  He reigned for a little less than twenty years.  Evidently, he possessed a very wise business acumen that made him and Tyre extremely wealthy.  Like the Egyptians and other pagan nations, their rulers were not only seen as having divine rights but divine themselves.  Ethbaal thought he was a god.  Sarcastically, the LORD asked, "Are you wiser than Daniel?  Do you know everything?"

Such pride will always bring a devastating response from the LORD, sooner or later.  To prove Ethbaal's mortality, God promised to bring foreigners (the Babylonians) to ruthlessly kill him and reduce Tyre to nothing.

2. To the king of Tyre. (vv.11-19)
This is referring to someone entirely different.  First, note the change in titles.  Ezekiel rarely used the term "king."  Second, the one described here was full of wisdom, beauty, and was present in the Garden of Eden (vv.12-13).  So, a mere man, as Ethbaal was (v.2) does not fit.  Further, this "king" had been created sinless and lived in the presence of God (v.15).  He was in fact twice mentioned as "a guardian cherub", a type of specially created overseer.  This can be none other than Satan himself, the evil power behind Ethbaal.

Like Ethbaal, this guardian cherub's downfall came due to his pride.  He thought he could replace the LORD.  He was cast out from his position and God's presence (v.16).  One day, God will ultimately and publicly deal with Satan in such a way that the nations will be "appalled" (v.19).

3. To Sidon. (vv.20-24)
The Sidonians are described as a thorn in the side of Israel.  But no more.  Through His judgment upon them, God will reveal His glory and His holiness.  The goal: "they will know that I am the LORD."

4. To Israel. (vv.25-26)
There remains a future hope for the Jews.  God promised that He would gather them and that they would live on their own land.  In that day, they will live in peace and abundance.

Tyre is gone.  Sidon is no more.  Satan's demise is written down for us in advance in the last chapters of the Bible.  And, true to the nature and character of God, He has a hope-filled future for His own.

 

A word to the Wealthy

 Read Ezekiel 27

If not checked by strong spiritual and moral principles, wealth and prosperity can result in personal ruin, both now and in eternity.

Tyre brokered the seaport trade for the Middle East.  Nations from Africa and Arabia brought their wares for sale and shipping throughout the Mediterranean.  Twenty-three nations are mentioned in this chapter.  Tyre's fleet was the best, traveling all the way to Spain to deliver goods.  Being such a commercial hub made the merchants of Tyre incredibly wealthy.

Then, when they received word that Jerusalem had been destroyed, they saw it as opportunity for themselves.  Greed and selfishness became their final undoing.  The word of the LORD came to Ezekiel in the previous chapter condemning Tyre.  Next, He had the prophet write this dirge for the once famous city.

The poem depicts Tyre as a beautifully crafted ship that everyone admired.  But, the ship sank and everyone mourned.  Even the protection of an elite military proved useless when God brought His judgment upon them.

1. Wealth is a gift from God.
Solomon, the wealthiest man in the world, wrote: "Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil--this is a gift from God." (Ecclesiastes 5:19)  The amount and definition of wealth is relative.  That is why the Apostle Paul encouraged the Corinthians not to worry about what they did not have but to focus the use of what God had given them. (2 Corinthians 8:12) 

2. Wealth brings accountability to God.
"You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth." (Deuteronomy 8:18).  Since our resources belong to God and are on loan to us only for a time in this life, we must one day give an account to the Owner for how we managed His property.  "So then each of us will give an account of himself to God." (Romans 14:12)

3. Wealth gives opportunity to impact the lives of others.

The instruction given to Pastor Timothy concerning wealthy church members was this: "As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.  They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life." (1 Timothy 6:17-19)  This, then, is a normal part of church discipleship.  It is the cure for greed.  The greater the resources the greater the opportunity for reaching others with the good news of Jesus.

 

 

When God makes a Promise

 Read Ezekiel 26.

After prophesying judgment against the neighbors to the east and west, the next three chapters are devoted to Tyre in the coastal north.  Like Ammon and Moab in chapter 25, Tyre celebrated the downfall Jerusalem.  They saw this as their opportunity to enrich themselves.  "Aha, the gate of the people is broken; it has swung open for me.  I shall be replenished now that she is laid waste." (v.2)

But God's response was the same to Tyre as it was to the others.  He promised to reduce this wealthy fishing and seaport trade area to nothing more than a place to dry fishing nets.  It would no longer be the prosperous and power-brokering city of the Mediterranean. 

Tyre thought they were safe and that the Babylonians only wanted to put down the rebellion in Judah.  What they did not realize was that the same destructive fate awaited them.  To this day, the site of the city of Tyre lies in ruin, just as God predicted.

As Isaiah recorded the words of the LORD, "so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)  "Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.  Your faithfulness to all generations..." (Psalm 119:89-90a)

When God makes a promise, He keeps it.  Know the promises of God.  Depend upon the promises of God.  He will be faithful.