Ezekiel Study, Part 5

 

I'm a little more than half-way through my study of the major prophet Ezekiel.  What an in-depth study this has been!

This is a summary of Chapters 27-32.

Chapter 27 opens as a lament to Tyre.  The city is compared to a grand sailing ship and lots of trading partners.   It carries luxury items but it's destroyed suddenly by the east wind. This is because the people didn't acknowledge God.  It's been repeated down through the ages of history: achievement of worldly success and acclaim without acknowledging that it's all from God does continue in people's lives today. We need to remember what Jesus said in Matthew 6:24

Ezekiel 28 and 29 are prophecies against the king of Tyre and judgements against Pharaoh of Egypt. The King of Tyre (Ethbaal II) acts like he's a god due to his authority, arrogance, and wealth. But God will put him in his place.  There's also a lament using imagery from human creation and the Garden of Eden.....Tyre will be expelled and death will occur same as the Fall in the Garden.  For us today we need to remember that God is opposed to pride!

Egypt will become a wasteland.  There are 2 pictures of Egypt represented in Chapter 29: Egypt as a great sea monster (Claiming to be the creator/owner of the Rive Nile) and a reed.....yet it's not useful so Pharaoh will be defeated and Egypt will no longer be a world power.  The next prophecy in that chapter (verses 17-21) is the last recorded prophecy of Ezekiel (16 years after the siege of Jerusalem). The focus of prophecy is not a precise outline of future events but the proclamation of God's purpose. For us today this means we can trust that God is sovereign.  His Word WILL come to pass!!

Chapter 30 is basically a lament over Egypt. It speaks of Egypt suffering by the sword and that the allies will be brought low due to their pride.  The army will be devastated and the idols, strongholds, and cities will be destroyed. Then the people will recognize God for Who He is.   Ezekiel says Egypt's hope in Israel as a rescuer will be in vain.  Egypt will be destroyed but Babylon will be strengthened.   For us today this means that no one can stand against God.  When Jesus returns, there will be judgement and salvation!  This is based on II Peter 3:10

Ezekiel 31 is basically talking about Pharaoh being like a cedar. Assyria is the cedar tree which symbolizes majesty.  Assyria and Egypt became arrogant but God points out that HE is the magnificence of the nations. 

Ezekiel 32 is the lament over Pharaoh.  It's the last two oracles against Egypt. It describes the destruction and fall. Egypt sees itself as a lion but it's more like a sea monster, which is an enemy of God.  They'll be sent down to the underworld (the realm of the dead/Hell).  Seven other nations will be there. Sheol is pictured as the realm of the dead in the Old Testament but we have a clearer image of this place in the New Testament:  When Jesus returns to our earth, there WILL be a final judgement.  People who don't recognize Jesus as King will be cast into hell. 

For us today we need to remember, as Christ followers, that Jesus took the punishment for our sins (death on the Cross) and saves us from hell when we become born again. It's super simple.  Believe in Jesus, confess your sins, accept Him as Lord and Savior of Your Life, grow by reading His Words in the New Testament and following His two greatest commandments and have hope that we will enjoy eternal life in a new heaven and a new earth. 

That wraps up a bit more Ezekiel study.