Wordlisteners May 30, 2010 Ezekiel 25-29

There were four for Wordlisteners, and our discussions involved the fact that we are prideful individuals and selfish, just like these nations that have God's judgments pronounced against them in these chapters. Furthermore we are me focused, instead of God focused, and we need to work to get self "out of the way" Its interesting the subtle differences between the prophecies, and how much our society is like the one of Tyre.

God's heart and lessons for us- don't revel in other's misfortunes. Don't deny that God's setting apart a people to himself has no meaning regardless of what you see, and certainly don't make an joyful effort to prosper because of someone's misfortune.

Here are my notes from Ezekiel 25-29.

Ezekiel 25

A prophesy toward Ammon - a warning from God, to a people He didn't choose, but made, allowing them to turn in right relationship to Him. They were glad God profaned His sanctuary allowing it to be destroyed, so God will give them to their enemies. He is warning them ahead of time, so when it happens (which they probably didn't think it would) they would know He is God. God will destroy them.
This was a warning to a specific people at a specific time, but God has let it endure. For the history lesson, or is there something in there for us today. Ammon was glad that God allowed His temple to be profaned and His nation made desolate. There are people today that are glad when bad things happen to God's people. Both Israel and the Church, and this warning endures for them as well. God is God and His desires will happen, nobody should be happy at the misfortune of others.
Now we deal with Moab. which said the house of Judah is like all nations. Now Judah wanted to be like other nations, they wanted a king, they ultimately worshiped idols, and became very much like other nations. However they were still set apart by God for His purposes, so in saying they were other nations Moab was denying that God had set them apart. Again for that day, but how does it apply to us. Ever heard or said that Christians are like everyone else? In a sense we are but God has placed a call on our lives that we responded to, so we are not truly like everyone else. We face the same issues, we have the same temptations, we certainly struggle, but God has marked us. Its important to remember that God's offer is for all, He wants to mark everyone because it is His creation and he is big enough to do so.
Now Edom which saw a weakened Israel and acted against them taking vengeance. A warning to a specific people at a specific time, but saved for us. How does it apply? God was going to use His people to execute His vengeance. In the same way when people take advantage of Israel or Christians due to weakness, they are opening themselves up and will realize that one day God will have the final say through Israel and the Christians.
Philistia acted in revenge on a weakened Israel with scorn of soul and to destroy with enmity (hostility). This applied then but also now to people actively hostile to Israel and Christians. God Himself will protect them and He Himself will execute His vengeance.
All of these rebukes is God saying that He alone has the final say, and it will be His way.

Ezekiel 26

Now for the fault of a city. Tyre was looking to take advantage of Israel's misfortune. They evidently felt they would benefit from Israel's decline. They controlled sea trade, and Jerusalem controlled the caravan routes, with Jerusalem out of the way they felt their profit would increase. They were an alternative. People who are out to destroy the things of God (Jerusalem is His footstool) offer alternatives, and consider that their belief, way or whatever will strengthen as the Christian or Israel weakens. However man cannot take into account every facet of what he thinks he knows, and eventually great anger will be stirred. God will bring up many nations against Tyre, just as He will allow those with alternatives to His plans face the adversity that they will cause.
When you deny the Higher Power of God you unleash selfishness which leads to evil. Historically Tyre was destroyed and never rebuilt. It was really two cities, one part on the mainland and one part on an island. Nebuchadnezzar had the land part under siege 15 years, it was getting resupplied form the sea, and from trade. Once it did fall he destroyed it. However he couldn't destroy the Island part. When Alexander the Great conquered it, he took the rubble from the land part of the city and built a bridge to the island part, destroying it completely. So it did take many waves of people, and it was never rebuilt.
Again rejoicing over another's misfortune, or considering gain from the misfortune of others is not what God wants for us His people. He left this chapter as a warning for us. I don't know how many days or months it took Alexander to build the bridge, but the inhabitants knew their days were numbered, fear and trembling I'm sure happened, but no mention of repentance.

Ezekiel 27

A lament for Tyre. A description of a far reaching influential society that was wealthy from trade. For their time they had a global economy with a focus on goods and wealth- a lot like today. Yet God is not given credit, or even mentioned, its all about them. A great economic juggernaut will be destroyed and people will cry, God said so, it doesn't fit His plans.

Ezekiel 28

The king of Tyre thought he was god, due to his power and influence. Through wisdom and understanding this empire was built, and the accumulation of goods and things brought about an elevation in their mind and heart that they were god. Through his own wit and wisdom he forgot his place, and when facing death, will he repent and acknowledge God?
God had placed Tyre there and their leaders. He gave them their wisdom that led to their riches. God blessed them until it went to their head that they didn't need God. The abundance of trade, busyness of accomplishment, caused them to come to believe wrongly and exalt their own success. Since they didn't acknowledge God they were cast down by Him. To cease to be forever. Some of the descriptions of the king of Tyre apply to Satan, he was in Eden, an anointed cherub with access to God. Satan beauty led to pride in the same way the Tyre's success led to pride and denial of God.
Sidon, God will be glorified in Sidon's midst. In Ezek 27:8 the rowers for Tyre lived in Sidon. So the two were intertwined, the rowers did all the work and Sidon's fate was tied to Tyre's. The residents of Sidon as rowers definitely contributed to the success that led to Tyre's down fall.
All the nations surrounding Israel have been mentioned with the great world power Tyre being last. The Lord will gather His people and will manifest His holiness in His people in the sight of the nations and they will live in the land they were given. They will live securely while the Lord executes judgments on those that scorn His people. A final chance to realize and confess that Jesus is Lord.

Ezekiel 29

A prophesy against the nation of Egypt. A prideful people who claimed to have made the Nile. Completely ridiculous but pride can lead to absurdity. God will judge Egypt. Judah when faced with an invading Babylon, after the king of Judah had sworn allegiance to Babylon, made a treaty or sought protection against Babylon instead of God. So here is judgment against anything we might turn to instead of God for protection. Egypt was powerless to protect Judah against Babylon, so they are referred to a staff made of reed with no strength. In reality Egypt was overthrown, so they couldn't even protect themselves.
Desolate for forty years and then restored to a status of a lesser nation, not one that any country would have enough confidence in their military might to seek protection again.
Nebuchadnezzar had the mainland part of Tyre under siege 15 years. They held out so long because the island part could provide goods and supplies, but they also evidently evacuated anything that would be regarded as plunder. So Babylon partially destroyed Tyre, but received no plunder (or minimal). So God sends them to Egypt to overthrow it and fulfill this prophecy of Ezekiel. It also gave the army plunder or wages.