Ezekiel 27-28 Hello, America?

God was letting the captives in Babylon know that Jerusalem wasn’t the only place that would suffer for their sins.  Tyre was a great coastal trading city and its commerce had an impact on all of the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and even down to central Africa.  I wondered if there are clues here to warn nations today.  Tyre had farmed out its security to noncitizens and had also built its vast trading network with too much reliance on foreign nations – not a good thing.

Also, Ezekiel’s message gave dire warnings to Tyre for the pride of its ruler, who thought he was a god.  They could be warnings to us today:  “You think you are as wise as a god, but you are a human, not a god … You are too proud because of your riches … But I will bring foreign people against you … They will destroy all that your wisdom has built, and they will dishonor your greatness.”

The passages in verses 11-17 sound like they may have been directed at the spirit motivating the man – Satan – rather than just to the king of Tyre.  It’s a déjà vous moment from Eden.

After also pronouncing judgment on Tyre’s sister city, Sidon, God once again gives a message of hope for the captives from Judah.  The promises He gave them have not all been fully delivered, my commentary said, and some refer to the end times.

Father, our nation sounds way too much like Tyre in these passages.  And we know that Satan wants to control the nations and has even been delegated authority to rule them until Christ returns.  Please lead us to know what he’s doing and to instead place our trust and hope in You.  Lead our nation and help us to once again become the place where You are honored, worshiped, and trusted to direct us.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford