Ezekiel 28 Study Bible

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◄ Ezekiel 28 ►

Summary

Prophecies against Tyre and Sidon

Ezekiel 28 serves as a profound reminder of the downfall of pride and the necessity of humility before the Lord. Regardless of worldly wisdom or wealth, the fate of the prideful is sealed by God's righteous judgment. Yet, in His justice, there is also mercy and restoration for those who acknowledge His sovereignty.

Prophecy against the Prince of Tyre (Verses 1-10)

Ezekiel prophesies against the prince of Tyre, who is charged with extreme arrogance and self-deification. Despite his wisdom and wealth, God promises to bring foreigners against him, resulting in his violent death.

Lamentation for the King of Tyre (Verses 11-19)

Ezekiel sings a lament for the King of Tyre, comparing him to a cherub in the Garden of Eden, endowed with beauty and wisdom. However, his pride leads to his expulsion from the mountain of God and his eventual destruction.

Judgment on Sidon (Verses 20-23)

God's attention turns to Sidon. He promises to send a plague upon Sidon and execute judgments within it, demonstrating His glory and sanctifying Himself in the sight of many nations.

Restoration of Israel (Verses 24-26)

God promises that Israel will no longer suffer from the scorn of neighboring nations. He will gather the Israelites from their diaspora, provide them a peaceful dwelling in their own land, and reveal Himself as their God.

Ezekiel 28 presents a scathing prophecy against the powerful maritime city of Tyre, specifically its prince and its king. This chapter stands as a stern warning against pride and self-glorification, using the leaders of Tyre as examples of those who, despite their wisdom and splendor, ultimately face divine judgment. The chapter further extends its prophecy to the city of Sidon before concluding with the promise of Israel's restoration.

Teaching Points

The Judgment Against the King of Tyre
Ezekiel 28:1-10 describes the pride and eventual downfall of the King of Tyre. Because your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god; I sit in the seat of the gods in the heart of the seas,’ yet you are a man and not a god, though you have regarded your heart as that of a god (Ezekiel 28:2). This highlights the danger of self-deification and pride.

The Lament Over the King of Tyre
Verses 11-19 transition into a lament, using rich imagery to describe the king's former glory and beauty, which was corrupted by pride. Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor (Ezekiel 28:17).

The Fall of Tyre as a Warning
The chapter serves as a warning to all who might be tempted to elevate themselves above God. The fall of Tyre is a testament to the fact that no earthly power or beauty can stand against God's judgment.

Practical Applications

Guard Against Pride
Regularly examine your heart for prideful attitudes and seek humility before God.

Acknowledge God's Sovereignty
Recognize that all talents, beauty, and wisdom come from God, and use them to glorify Him rather than oneself.

Learn from History
Reflect on historical examples of pride leading to downfall, both in the Bible and in modern times, to avoid similar pitfalls.

People

1. The Prince of Tyre
Description
The Prince of Tyre is addressed in the first part of Ezekiel 28. He is depicted as a ruler who is filled with pride and self-exaltation, claiming to be a god. The text criticizes his arrogance and foretells his downfall.
Scripture Reference
Ezekiel 28:2 - "Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says: Your heart is proud, and you have said, “I am a god; I sit in the seat of gods in the heart of the sea.” Yet you are a man and not a god, though you have regarded your heart as that of a god."

2. The King of Tyre
Description
The King of Tyre is addressed in the latter part of the chapter. This figure is often interpreted as a symbolic representation of Satan due to the description of his former perfection and subsequent fall. The passage describes his beauty, wisdom, and eventual corruption.
Scripture Reference
Ezekiel 28:12-13 - "Son of man, take up a lament for the king of Tyre and tell him that this is what the Lord GOD says: 'You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every kind of precious stone adorned you...'"

3. The Lord GOD
Description
The Lord GOD is the speaker throughout the chapter, delivering judgments and pronouncements against the Prince and King of Tyre. The text emphasizes God's sovereignty and authority over human rulers and spiritual beings.
Scripture Reference
Ezekiel 28:6 - "Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you regard your heart as that of a god..."

Places

1. Tyre
Tyre is the primary focus of Ezekiel 28, particularly in the first part of the chapter. It was a prominent Phoenician city known for its wealth and trade. The chapter begins with a prophecy against the ruler of Tyre, highlighting the city's pride and eventual downfall. The Hebrew root for Tyre is "צֹר" (Tzor), which means "rock," reflecting its strong and fortified nature.

2. Eden
In Ezekiel 28:13, Eden is referenced as a metaphorical place, describing the abundance and beauty of the king of Tyre before his fall. This alludes to the Garden of Eden, a place of perfection and divine presence. The Hebrew word for Eden is "עֵדֶן" (Eden), meaning "delight" or "pleasure."

3. The Holy Mountain of God
Mentioned in Ezekiel 28:14 and 28:16, the "holy mountain of God" symbolizes a place of divine presence and authority. It is used to describe the exalted position of the king of Tyre before his pride led to his downfall. The Hebrew term for "mountain" is "הַר" (har), often used in biblical texts to denote a place of spiritual significance.

Events

1. Prophecy Against the Ruler of Tyre
Ezekiel is instructed to deliver a message to the ruler of Tyre, who is described as having a heart lifted up with pride, claiming to be a god. The ruler's arrogance is highlighted, as he considers himself wiser than Daniel and believes he can understand secrets (Ezekiel 28:2-5). The Hebrew word for "god" here is "אֵל" (el), indicating the ruler's self-deification.

2. Judgment Pronounced
God declares that because the ruler of Tyre has set his heart as the heart of a god, He will bring foreigners against him, the most ruthless of nations, who will draw their swords against the beauty of his wisdom and defile his splendor (Ezekiel 28:6-7). The Hebrew term for "defile" is "חָלַל" (chalal), meaning to profane or pollute.

3. The Ruler's Mortality
The prophecy emphasizes the mortality of the ruler, stating that he will die the death of the uncircumcised by the hand of foreigners, and he will realize he is not a god but a man (Ezekiel 28:8-10). This underscores the theme of human limitation and divine sovereignty.

4. Lament Over the King of Tyre
A lament is raised over the king of Tyre, describing him as a model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty, having been in Eden, the garden of God (Ezekiel 28:12-13). This passage is often seen as a dual reference, possibly alluding to the fall of Satan. The Hebrew word for "perfection" is "תָּמִים" (tamim), meaning complete or whole.

5. The Anointed Cherub
The king is described as an anointed cherub who covers, placed on the holy mountain of God, and blameless in his ways until iniquity was found in him (Ezekiel 28:14-15). The term "cherub" (כְּרוּב, kerub) suggests a high-ranking angelic being, adding to the interpretation of a parallel with Satan.

6. Expulsion from the Mountain of God
Due to the abundance of his trade, the king's heart was filled with violence, and he sinned. As a result, he was cast out from the mountain of God and destroyed, reflecting a fall from a position of privilege (Ezekiel 28:16-17). The Hebrew word for "cast out" is "חָלַל" (chalal), which can also mean to profane or desecrate.

7. Final Destruction
The prophecy concludes with the king being brought to ashes on the earth in the sight of all who see him, and he will be no more forever (Ezekiel 28:18-19). This signifies the complete and irreversible judgment upon him.

Connections to Additional Scriptures

Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

James 4:6
But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'

Isaiah 14:12-15
A parallel passage that describes the fall of Lucifer due to pride, offering a spiritual dimension to the theme of self-exaltation.

Prayer Points

Pray for Humility
Ask God to help you cultivate a humble heart and to recognize His sovereignty in all areas of life.
Seek Wisdom
Pray for the wisdom to discern areas of pride in your life and the strength to overcome them.
Intercede for Leaders
Pray for leaders in your community and nation, that they may lead with humility and recognize their dependence on God.

As we reflect on Ezekiel 28, may we be reminded of the importance of humility and the dangers of pride, seeking always to honor God above all else.

Bible Study Questions

1. What aspects of the Prince of Tyre's behavior led to his downfall?

2. How does Ezekiel's description of the King of Tyre parallel traditional views of Satan's fall?

3. What does the prophecy against Tyre teach about the dangers of pride and arrogance?

4. How might the Prince of Tyre's belief in his own divinity relate to modern forms of self-glorification?

5. Why does God decide to pass judgment against Sidon?

6. In what ways does the promise of restoration for Israel contrast with the judgment of Tyre and Sidon?

7. How can you apply the lessons of humility from this chapter in your daily life?

8. How can Ezekiel 28 serve as a reminder of God's sovereignty in a world that often glorifies self-sufficiency?

9. In what ways does the judgment of Tyre and Sidon illustrate God's fairness?

10. What can you learn from the comparison of the King of Tyre to a cherub in the Garden of Eden?

11. How does this chapter affect your understanding of God's justice?

12. Can you identify any modern parallels to the pride and downfall of the Prince and King of Tyre?

13. How does the promise of Israel's restoration provide hope in the face of judgment?

14. Why is it important to remember God's sovereignty in times of success and prosperity?

15. How can the church today heed the warnings found in Ezekiel 28?

16. How does the symbolism in this chapter deepen your understanding of God's character?

17. How might we guard against pride and self-deception in our own lives?

18. What can you learn about repentance and God's forgiveness from this chapter?

19. How does the concept of God "sanctifying Himself" in the sight of nations affect your understanding of His holiness?

20. What practical steps can we take to remember and honor God's sovereignty in our everyday life?

Topics

1. Prophecy Against the Ruler of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:1-10)
This section addresses the pride and arrogance of the ruler of Tyre, who claims to be a god. The Lord, through Ezekiel, declares that the ruler's heart is lifted up because of his wealth and wisdom. The prophecy warns of impending judgment, stating, "Because you regard your heart as the heart of a god, behold, I will bring strangers against you, the most ruthless of nations" (Ezekiel 28:6-7). The Hebrew word for "heart" (לֵב, ^lev^) emphasizes the inner thoughts and intentions of the ruler.

2. Lament Over the King of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:11-19)
This lamentation is a poetic and symbolic description of the king of Tyre, often interpreted as a reference to both a human king and a representation of Satan's fall. The text describes the king as having been in Eden, adorned with precious stones, and anointed as a guardian cherub. The passage states, "You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created until wickedness was found in you" (Ezekiel 28:15). The Hebrew term for "blameless" (תָּמִים, ^tamim^) suggests completeness or integrity.

3. Prophecy Against Sidon (Ezekiel 28:20-23)
The prophecy shifts focus to Sidon, another city-state in the region. The Lord declares judgment against Sidon, promising to manifest His holiness through the city's destruction. The text states, "I will send a plague upon her and bloodshed in her streets" (Ezekiel 28:23). The Hebrew word for "plague" (דֶּבֶר, ^dever^) can also mean pestilence, indicating a divine punishment.

4. Promise of Israel's Restoration (Ezekiel 28:24-26)
The chapter concludes with a promise of hope and restoration for Israel. The Lord assures that Israel will no longer be oppressed by its neighbors and will dwell securely in their land. The passage declares, "They will live there securely, build houses, and plant vineyards" (Ezekiel 28:26). The Hebrew verb for "live securely" (יָשַׁב, ^yashav^) conveys a sense of dwelling in peace and safety.

Themes

1. Judgment Against the Prince of Tyre
The chapter begins with a prophecy against the prince of Tyre, who is condemned for his pride and self-deification. The prince claims to be a god, sitting "in the seat of the gods" (Ezekiel 28:2). The Hebrew word for "god" here is "אֵל" (el), indicating the prince's arrogance in elevating himself to divine status.

2. The Fall of the Proud
The theme of pride leading to downfall is prominent. The prince of Tyre's wisdom and wealth have led him to a false sense of security and self-exaltation, but God declares, "Yet you are a man and not a god, though you have regarded your heart as that of a god" (Ezekiel 28:2). This highlights the biblical principle that pride precedes destruction.

3. Divine Retribution
God's judgment is pronounced as inevitable and just. The text states, "Therefore I will bring strangers against you, the most ruthless of nations" (Ezekiel 28:7). The Hebrew term for "strangers" (זָרִים, zarim) emphasizes the foreign invaders as instruments of God's judgment.

4. Lamentation for the King of Tyre
A lament is raised for the king of Tyre, portraying him as a figure of beauty and wisdom who was in Eden, the garden of God (Ezekiel 28:12-13). This passage is often interpreted as a dual reference to both the earthly king and a symbolic representation of Satan's fall from grace.

5. The Corruption of Wisdom and Beauty
The king's wisdom and beauty, initially perfect, become corrupted by his iniquity and trade (Ezekiel 28:17). The Hebrew word for "corrupted" (חָלַל, chalal) suggests a profaning or defiling of what was once pure.

6. The Ultimate Humiliation
The king's ultimate fate is to be cast down and consumed by fire, a vivid depiction of divine judgment (Ezekiel 28:18). This serves as a warning of the consequences of hubris and rebellion against God.

7. Prophecy Against Sidon
The chapter concludes with a prophecy against Sidon, another city-state, emphasizing God's sovereignty and the execution of judgment to demonstrate His holiness (Ezekiel 28:22). The Hebrew root for "holiness" (קָדַשׁ, qadash) underscores God's distinct and righteous nature.

8. Restoration of Israel
Despite the judgments, there is a promise of restoration for Israel. God declares that He will gather His people and establish them securely in their land, where they will dwell safely and know that He is the LORD (Ezekiel 28:25-26). This theme of restoration reflects God's covenant faithfulness and mercy.

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