God deals with pride and a Promise

 Read Ezekiel 28.

As God 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 overseeing angel.  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.