Ezekiel 28

1 The Lord spoke his word to me, saying:

2 "Human, say to the ruler of Tyre: 'This is what the Lord God says: Because you are proud, you say, "I am a god. I sit on the throne of a god in the middle of the seas." You think you are as wise as a god, but you are a human, not a god.

3 You think you are wiser than Daniel. You think you can find out all secrets.

4 Through your wisdom and understanding you have made yourself rich. You have gained gold and silver and have saved it in your storerooms.

5 Through your great skill in trading, you have made your riches grow. You are too proud because of your riches.

6 "'So this is what the Lord God says: You think you are wise like a god,

7 but I will bring foreign people against you, the cruelest nation. They will pull out their swords and destroy all that your wisdom has built, and they will dishonor your greatness.

8 They will kill you; you will die a terrible death like those who are killed at sea.

9 While they are killing you, you will not be able to say anymore, "I am a god." You will be only a human, not a god, when your murderers kill you.

10 You will die like an unclean person; foreigners will kill you. I have spoken, says the Lord God.'"

11 The Lord spoke his word to me, saying:

12 "Human, sing a funeral song for the king of Tyre. Say to him: 'This is what the Lord God says: You were an example of what was perfect, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.

13 You had a wonderful life, as if you were in Eden, the garden of God. Every valuable gem was on you: ruby, topaz, and emerald, yellow quartz, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and chrysolite. Your jewelry was made of gold. It was prepared on the day you were created.

14 I appointed a living creature to guard you. I put you on the holy mountain of God. You walked among the gems that shined like fire.

15 Your life was right and good from the day you were created, until evil was found in you.

16 Because you traded with countries far away, you learned to be cruel, and you sinned. So I threw you down in disgrace from the mountain of God. And the living creature who guarded you forced you out from among the gems that shined like fire.

17 You became too proud because of your beauty. You ruined your wisdom because of your greatness. I threw you down to the ground. Your example taught a lesson to other kings.

18 You dishonored your places of worship through your many sins and dishonest trade. So I set on fire the place where you lived, and the fire burned you up. I turned you into ashes on the ground for all those watching to see.

19 All the nations who knew you are shocked about you. Your punishment was so terrible, and you are gone forever.'"

20 The Lord spoke his word to me, saying:

21 "Human, look toward the city of Sidon and prophesy against her.

22 Say: 'This is what the Lord God says: I am against you, Sidon, and I will show my glory among you. when I have punished Sidon; I will show my holiness by defeating her.

23 I will send diseases to Sidon, and blood will flow in her streets. Those who are wounded in Sidon will fall dead, attacked from all sides. Then they will know that I am the Lord.

24 "'No more will neighboring nations be like thorny branches or sharp stickers to hurt Israel. Then they will know that I am the Lord God.

25 "'This is what the Lord God says: I will gather the people of Israel from the nations where they are scattered. I will show my holiness when the nations see what I do for my people. Then they will live in their own land -- the land I gave to my servant Jacob.

26 They will live safely in the land and will build houses and plant vineyards. They will live in safety after I have punished all the nations around who hate them. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God.'"

Ezekiel 28 Commentary

Chapter 28

The sentence against the prince or king of Tyre. (1-19) The fall of Zidon. (20-23) The restoration of Israel. (24-26)

Verses 1-19 Ethbaal, or Ithobal, was the prince or king of Tyre; and being lifted up with excessive pride, he claimed Divine honours. Pride is peculiarly the sin of our fallen nature. Nor can any wisdom, except that which the Lord gives, lead to happiness in this world or in that which is to come. The haughty prince of Tyre thought he was able to protect his people by his own power, and considered himself as equal to the inhabitants of heaven. If it were possible to dwell in the garden of Eden, or even to enter heaven, no solid happiness could be enjoyed without a humble, holy, and spiritual mind. Especially all spiritual pride is of the devil. Those who indulge therein must expect to perish.

20-26. The Zidonians were borderers upon the land of Israel, and they might have learned to glorify the Lord; but, instead of that, they seduced Israel to the worship of their idols. War and pestilence are God's messengers; but he will be glorified in the restoring his people to their former safety and prosperity. God will cure them of their sins, and ease them of their troubles. This promise will at length fully come to pass in the heavenly Canaan: when all the saints shall be gathered together, every thing that offends shall be removed, all griefs and fears for ever banished. Happy, then, is the church of God, and every living member of it, though poor, afflicted, and despised; for the Lord will display his truth, power, and mercy, in the salvation and happiness of his redeemed people.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 28

This chapter contains a prophecy of the destruction of the prince of Tyre; a lamentation for the king of Tyre; a denunciation of judgments on Zidon, and a promise of peace and safety to Israel. The order given the prophet to prophesy of the ruin of the prince of Tyre, Eze 28:1,2, the cause of his ruin, his pride on account of his wisdom and riches, which rose to such a pitch, as to make himself God, Eze 28:2-6, the manner in which his destruction shall be accomplished, Eze 28:7-10, the lamentation for the king of Tyre begins Eze 28:11,12, setting forth his former grandeur and dignity, Eze 28:13-15, his fall, and the cause of it, injustice and violence in merchandise, pride because of beauty and wisdom, and profanation of sanctuaries, Eze 28:16-19, next follow the judgments on Zidon, Eze 28:20-23, and the chapter is concluded with a promise of the restoration of the Jews to their own land, and of great tranquillity and safety in it, Eze 28:24-26.