Year 2, Week 20, Day 3 Bible Reading Observations

Year 2, Week 20, Day 3

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Ezekiel 28-29.

Today’s reading continues the Book of Ezekiel as it continues the second segment of Ezekiel (chapters 25-32). This second segment is a series of prophecies of judgment against seven nations surrounding Israel and Judah. The oracle of judgment against Tyre covers most of Ezekiel 26-28 (part of Ezekiel 28 also references Sidon). Ezekiel 28 covers the third subunit concerning Tyre as it completes the words of judgement against Tyre: “Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre” (Ezekiel 28:1-2a). This third subunit against Tyre focuses particularly on the King of Tyre. The oracle of judgment against Egypt is covered in Ezekiel 29-32 as seven subunits comprise the judgment against the seventh nation. Each subunit begins with the statement, “the word of the LORD came to me” (Ezekiel 29:1;30:1;30:20;31:1;32:1;32:17). Ezekiel 29 commences of the words of judgment against Egypt: “In the tenth year, in the tenth month, on the twelfth day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him and against all Egypt” (Ezekiel 29:1-2).

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading is that while the focus is on the King of Tyre, some of the language and descriptions used of the King, seem to suggest reference to someone in addition to the King of Tyre: “You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle; and crafted in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you were created they were prepared. You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God” (Ezekiel 28:12b-14a). By placing the King of Tyre the garden at creation, Ezekiel is making a point that seems to go beyond the King Himself. By describing the King with terms such as the, “signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty,” Ezekiel seems to be speaking of someone in addition to the King who possessed these same qualities. Ezekiel 28 functions in a way that is similar to Isaiah 14. Isaiah 14 refers to the King of Babylon, but uses language and descriptions that suggest reference to someone else also: “you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon…How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low!” (Isaiah 14:3-4a,12).

The language and descriptions of Ezekiel 28, as well as Isaiah 14, should be taken to speak of the human kings that they are addressing; however, this does not require an absolute denial of the notion that they also have pertinence to Satan as well. In fact, on some level, Satan better fits the descriptions and language used. Nevertheless, each chapter explicitly connects the language and descriptions to someone other than Satan, such as the King of Babylon in Isaiah 14 and the King of Tyre in Ezekiel 28. It seems most likely that the Kings of Babylon and Tyre are being used by Satan and thus the way that they are characterized is reminiscent of Satan. These Kings are imitating their lord. The King of Tyre replicated Satan’s arrogant assertion: “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 but a man, and no god, though you make your heart like the heart of a god” (Ezekiel 28:2b). The King of Babylon repeated Satan’s prideful aspiration: “You said in your heart, I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:13-14). Satan’s heart defeat was passed on to his progeny. 

And just like the heart defect of Satan, the heart posture of the King of Tyre and Babylon proves to be fatal: “But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit. Those who see you will stare at you and ponder over you: ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, who made the world like a desert and overthrew its cities, who did not let his prisoners go home?’ All the kings of the nations lie in glory, each in his own tomb; but you are cast out, away from your grave, like a loathed branch, clothed with the slain, those pierced by the sword, who go down to the stones of the pit, like a dead body trampled underfoot” (Isaiah 14:15-19); and: “In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and I destroyed you, O guardian cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I exposed you before kings, to feast their eyes on you” (Ezekiel 28:16-17). These descriptions of the demise of the King of Tyre and Babylon reflect the demise of their master: “And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him” (Revelation 12:9); and: “And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:18).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe