Book of Ezekiel: Chapter 28
As a final message to the city of Tyre, the Lord decides to use Ezekiel to deliver a message about the King of Tyre. In this message, the Lord announces that it is the King’s pride that ultimately will cause the fall of the city. The King’s pride was such that he declared himself a god. Forcing his citizens to follow his word rather than the Lord’s word caused the destruction to this one populous and fruitful city.
In chapter 28, verses 2 – 10 act as the message to Tyre’s king. But the following verses (12 – 19) are a funeral song for the King of Tyre. An interesting item to note about these verses is that there are times when it seems that God is not speaking about the King of Tyre, but rather Satan himself.
The funeral song has many instances that wouldn’t seem to apply to the King of Tyre. Some of these include being in the Garden of Eden (verse 13), being ordained as the “mighty angelic guardian” (verse 14) and having access to the holy mountain of God, only to be banished (verses 14 – 17). These references make it seem like God is referring to Satan instead of the King of Tyre.
This chapter ends with God delivering a message to Sidon, another port city near Israel. The message is similar to that of Tyre. Because of their contempt for the people of Israel, God is going to destroy the city of Sidon. After that message, God ends the chapter with a brief message of hope to the Israelites; promising they will be returned to their homelands and will live there safe from their enemies.
Key Verses:
“… The people of Israel will again live in their own land, the land I gave my servant Jacob. For I will gather them from the distant lands where I have scattered them. I will reveal to the nations of the world my holiness among my people. They will live safely in Israel and build homes and plant vineyards. And when I punish the neighboring nations that treated them with contempt, they will know that I am the Lord their God.” ~ Ezekiel 28:25-26 NLT
Questions to ponder:
- Why does God place these references to Satan in the funeral song for the King of Tyre?
- When will God’s prophecy about the Israelites at the end of the chapter come true?
