A. Find Out

1. Against whom was Ezekiel next to prophesy? v.1,2

2. What had they done? v.3

3. So what will the Lord do? v.4,5

4. Again what had they done? v.6

5. So what will happen to them? v.7

B. Think:

1. How does the direction of prophecy in this book now change?

2. Why is the Lord against this people?

3. What is He going to do with them?

C. Comment:

In the last twelve chapters of Ezekiel we have seen the Lord speaking against Jerusalem and telling of the coming siege and destruction of the city and the temple. Now, and for the next seven chapters the focus comes off Jerusalem and on to surrounding nations who have been found wanting. From some of the things said, it would seem that some of these at least are spoken after the fall of Jerusalem , although it may be the words of condemnation come after earlier times when Jerusalem was captured and its people taken.

God's word comes afresh to Ezekiel (v.1) and he is told to prophesy again the people of Ammon (v.2) who lived to the east of Israel . Apparently when Nebuchadnezzar's armies had come to Israel , taken the land, taken the people and destroyed the temple (v.3) the people of Ammon had looked on smugly and almost with malicious joy at Israel 's downfall. Yes, they were the people of God and, yes, God was disciplining them but that wasn't a cause for rejoicing with malice (v.6). Was it as it has so often been with Israel that the onlooking nations were jealous of them and were glad of their downfall?

Whatever it was, the Lord was going to deal with Ammon so that the same invading armies will come into their land and pillage and clear it (v.4) so it will only be fit for a grazing place for animals (v.5). The Lord will move against them and give them over to plunder and spoil by invaders (v.7a) so they will be cut off and removed from their place among the nations (v.7b). Be under no illusion; this is all about a coming total destruction and the reasons have been made clear!

D. Application:

1. Be careful how you gaze on the disciplining of another?

2. Make sure there are no grounds for you being disciplined similarly!

Chs. 25 - 28

Chapter: Ezek 25

Passage 18: Ezek 25:8-17 - Moab, Edom & Philistia

A. Find Out

1. Who is the Lord next criticising for what? v.8

2. So what is He going to do with them? v.9-11

3. Who is the Lord next criticising for what? v.12

4. So what is He going to do with them? v.13,14

5. Who is the Lord next criticising for what? v.15

6. So what is He going to do with them? v.16,17

B. Think:

1. What are the three charges made here?

2. What is the Lord going to do with them?

3. What will be the end product?

C. Comment:

We now deal with the next three in one block because there is such similarity. There is one verse of condemnation of sin and then two of judgment, of what the Lord will do to them.

First there is Moab (v.8 a country south of Ammon) who had simply demeaned Israel and had not realised that what was going on was a work of God. Second, there was Edom (south of Moab ) who had obviously acted against Israel (v.12) and third, there were the Philistines who had also acted against Israel trying to destroy them with the same hostility they had always had against Israel (v.15). Each of these three neighbours were guilty of trying to pull Israel down and in so doing they oppose the Lord. Right, now the Lord opposes them!

Very simply the Lord says that He will let Moab be overrun and its most prestigious places on the borders taken first (v.8) given over to Nebuchadnezzar's forces (v.9) from the east, even as He deals with the Ammonites (v.10), so He will deal with Moab (v.11).

Similarly with Edom , He will lay waste to them (v.13) but it will be by the hand of Israel (v.14). Then comes the Philistines (v.15) who He will move similarly against and bring destruction (v.16,17). The use of Nebuchadnezzar against Jerusalem and Israel also meant he was available to deal with these neighbouring countries who also acted against Israel and thus brought on themselves the anger of the Lord.

D. Application:

1. Being small doesn't mean we are out of God's sight.

2. Other being dealt with doesn't mean we won't be.

Chs. 25 - 28

Chapter: Ezek 26

Passage 19: Ezek 26:1-21 - Against Tyre (1)

A. Find Out

1. Against whom was Ezekiel to prophesy and why? v.1,2

2. What was the Lord going to do to her? 3-6

3. Who was He going to use, how? v.7-14

4. How will that affect others? 15-18

5. How extensive will this be? v.19-21

B. Think:

1. What, at this stage is the only condemnation of Tyre?

2. What will the Lord do about them?

3. How extensive will that be?

C. Comment:

We will go on to see that this word against Tyre goes on for several chapters. In this chapter the condemnation is limited (but will be filled out extensively later on) and the focus is on the judgment that is coming.

The Lord's word comes probably early in 586BC (v.1). The condemnation is perhaps made clearer in the Message version: “ Tyre cheered when they got the news of Jerusalem , exclaiming, “Good! The gateway city is smashed! Now all her business comes my way. She is in ruins and I am in clover.” (v.2) Pride, arrogance and self-seeking and lack of compassion for what was happening to Jerusalem is at the heart of the Lord's condemnation. We will see more of it in the next chapter.

For this the Lord says He is against them (v.3) and will bring armies against her to bring down her walls to the rock foundation (v.4). Instead of a place for commerce shipping, the seas off her coast will simply be a place to fish (v.5) and all her surroundings will suffer similarly (v.6).

The Lord is quite specific: it will be Nebuchadnezzar who will do this (v.7) bringing a mighty siege against them (v.8-11) to break them down and plunder them (v.12) ending any sounds of merriment (v.13) reducing it to a bare rocky outcrop (v.14). When the towns along the coast hear of its destruction they will tremble (v.15) and kings will pretend they are not kings (v.16) and a lament will be made of their terrible fall (v.17,18). Her destruction will be total with nothing left (v.19-21). There is no room left for doubt about her outcome.

D. Application:

1. Pride & arrogance are deception and folly.

2. The Lord always deals with it as it mars His world.

Chs. 25 - 28

Chapter: Ezek 27

Passage 20: Ezek 27:1-36 - Against Tyre (2)

A. Find Out

1. To whom was Ezekiel to bring what? v.1-3a

2. What did Tyre think of itself? v.3b

3. In what area did they excel? v.4-9

4. In what other area? v.10,11

5. And what other are? v.12-24

6. But what will happen? v.25-36

B. Think:

1. For what reasons does Tyre have to feel good about itself?

2. But what is wrong with that?

3. And so what will happen?

C. Comment:

Tremendous detail, prolonged explanations. This is not a quick and brief word! The word comes to Ezekiel (v.1) telling him to create a lament over Tyre (v.2), to this city that is a gateway for commerce to the rest of the world (v.3a). a city that thinks itself beautiful (v.3b).

This city DOES have reasons to feel good about itself. First about its naval fleet (v.4-9) constructed of the best timbers (v.4-6), fine sails etc. (v.7), skilled sailors (v.8) and shipwrights (v.9). But it is also a city policed by a good army (v.10,11) but neither of these things are for what it is known worldwide; that is its business and commerce (v.12-24). The list of their trading partners is great and the produce extensive. But that on which they rely – the sea (v.25) – is also what makes them vulnerable, for storms will come (v.26) that will sink their fleets (v.27) and all who hear and rely upon them will grieve (v.28-32). The extent of the devastating loss will cause reaction all round the world (v.33-36).

Chapter 26 had spoken of the coming of Nebuchadnezzar to overrun Tyre . This chapter seems to speak in material terms about the wonder of the city and its commerce through its navy and then of its downfall. Maybe the ‘east winds' of verse 26 actually refer to Nebuchadnezzar's army bringing this destruction. The ultimate reason is not yet given but will come in the next chapter. For the moment we are left with a picture of greatness being brought down, and of that there is no doubt.

D. Application:

1. Present success quells doubts about a bad future.

2. Such is a form of deception.

Chs. 25 - 28

Chapter: Ezek 28

Passage 21: Ezek 28:1-10 - Against Tyre (3)

A. Find Out

1. Of whom does God's word now accuse of what? v.1,2b,5b

2. Over what does He challenge him? v.2c

3. To whom does He compare him? v.3

4. What does He acknowledge about him? v.4,5a

5. What is the primary accusation against him? v.6,9

6. So what will happen to him? v.7,8,10

B. Think:

1. Recap: What had Tyre and its king achieved?

2. Into what deceptive trap has they fallen?

3. How is the Lord going to show the folly of that?

C. Comment:

In the previous two chapters we saw the intent of the Lord to bring the judgment of Nebuchadnezzar on Tyre and we saw all the splendour of Tyre but we did not see the ultimate cause of that judgment. We see that now.

As God's word comes again (v.1) it comes against the King of Tyre (v.2a) who is accused of pride (v.2b) and of taking pride to its greatest height of thinking that he is a divine being (v.2c) but, says the Lord, you are a mere man (v.2d) and not as wise as you think! Can you compare yourself to those men of God who had revelations and really did have wisdom? (v.3)

Yes, you have used your wisdom and understanding to create a trading empire (v.4) and have created much wealth (v.5a) but foolishly you have allowed pride to grow in you (v.5b). So, because you think yourself so wise (v.6) I am going to bring Nebuchadnezzar against you (v,7) who will bring you down and kill you (v.8). When that happens, will you still think yourself a god (v.9) as you die the death of any ordinary man killed by this king's invading army (v.10). There will be nothing special about you then!

In the rest of the chapter (in the next study) we will see this accusation of pride expanded upon in an amazing way. Pride is a blot on God's perfect world because it allows us to think more highly of ourselves than we should and our actions thus lead others astray as well or cause them harm. In what follows, you may want to wonder, do the coming verses reveal more than a mere man? Is this prophetic insight into Satan?

D. Application:

1. Pride is deception. It leads us to lose perspective.

2. Pride is folly. It leads us into wrong behaviour.

Chs. 25 - 28

Chapter: Ezek 28

Passage 22: Ezek 28:11-19 - Against Tyre (4)

A. Find Out

1. What does the word become, and about who? v.11,12

2. What sort of being was he, and where, doing what? v.12c-15a

3. But what happened to him? v,15b,16a,17a,18a

4. So what did the Lord do with him? v.16b,17c

5. So what further did He do with him? v.18b,c,19b

6. With what consequence? v.19a

B. Think:

1. How are the descriptions of this ‘person' more than a mere man?

2. What was at the heart of his downfall?

3. So what was his end?

C. Comment:

There are times when you are reading through Scripture and you suddenly come across a passage that leaves you wondering. Up until now we have been reading the Lord's condemnation of Tyre in very material terms, but suddenly we are confronted with language that is completely different.

The word comes (v.11) as a lament (v.12a) apparently about the king of Tyre . But suddenly we have a description that wouldn't fit a mere sinful man because however good he was, this being was perfect in wisdom and beauty (v.12b). This being was in Eden (v.13a) and arrayed in beautiful stones and his role was as a guardian angel (v.14) in the holy place. He was made perfect and sinless and yet he fell (v.15,16a) and so God expelled him from the holy place (v.16b). Because of his great beauty he became proud (v.17a) and did many wrong things (v.18a) and so the Lord expelled from the holy place (v.17b) casting him down to earth where he appeared in disgrace (v.17c) and the very fire he used (implied) destroyed him (v.18) and everyone has come to know him for who he is (v.19).

It is very difficult to accept that this is a mere man with all the imagery that is used of him and our conclusion is that here we have revelation of Satan who is behind all wrongs on the earth dominating sinful men (1 Jn 5:19) and is a ruler in this world, and clearly behind the pride seen in Tyre, but revealed as the one behind the works and pride of the ruler(s) of Tyre where godless materialism is rampant.

D. Application:

1. Satan is a fallen angel (see also Rev 12) and his end is decreed (Rev 20:10).

2. Sinful man submits to the deceptions of Satan.

Chs. 25 - 28

Chapter: Ezek 28

Passage 23: Ezek 28:20-26 - Against Sidon

A. Find Out

1. Against who did the next word come? v.20,21

2. What did the Lord say He would show in Sidon ? v.22

3. What was He going to do to them? v.23

4. What is to be the end outcome to all this? v.24

5. When was this all to happen to Israel 's benefit? v.25

6. What will be the end outcome for them? v.26

B. Think:

1. Is there any reason shown for what is coming?

2. What will happen to Sidon ?

3. How will that benefit Israel in the long-term?

C. Comment:

We move on, after several chapters of condemnation of Tyre to a very short and brief word from the Lord (v.20) against Sidon (v.21). Usually in our thinking in Scripture, Tyre and Sidon tend to go together, these two northern coastal cities. Initially there does not appear a sin in Sidon that the Lord is moving against but He declares what He is going to do, and they will know His presence (v.22) suggesting perhaps it had been a godless city.

He spells out that there is coming destruction within Sidon (v.23) brought about by plague and sword (though whether ‘plague' means the coming of Nebuchadnezzar's army acting like a plague, is unclear.)

But then in the closing paragraph of this chapter we are given an overview, if you like, of God's purposes in dealing with each of these nations or cities that Ezekiel has been speaking against in chapters 21 to 28. God's purpose in dealing with their sins has also been to remove them as those who maliciously come against Israel cursing hurt (v.24 – in the same way briers and thorns do). The Lord is looking forward in time to that time when He gathers His people back together in Jerusalem (v.25) and all peoples will know this has been an act of the sovereign God. The end picture is of Israel living at peace (v.26) and feeling secure, with the Lord having dealt with all these neighbours who had in the past caused them so much trouble. These neighbours will be dealt with by the Lord and it will be for righteousness sake, His name's sake and Israel 's sake.

D. Application:

1. God works on a big long term plan to achieve His ends.

2. He also works in minute detail to achieve them.

Chs. 25 - 28

RECAP No.3 "Against the Neighbours" Ch. 25 - 28

SUMMARY :

In this third group of 7 studies we have seen :

Study No. 17 : Against Ammon : Ezek 25:1-7

Study No. 18 : Against Moab , Edom & Philistia : Ezek 25:8-17

Study No. 19 : Against Tyre (1) : Ezek 26:1-21

Study No. 20 : Against Tyre (2) : Ezek 27:1-36

Study No. 21 : Against Tyre (3) : Ezek 28:1-10

Study No. 22 : Against Tyre (4) : Ezek 28:11-19

Study No. 23 : Against Sidon : Ezek 28:20-26

COMMENT :

As the titles above show, Ezekiel's prophecies move on from speaking against Judah and Jerusalem to speaking against the neighbouring nations.

In each case the complain is made clear: Ammon – had looked on smugly and almost with malicious joy at Israel's downfall, Moab – had demeaned Israel and had not realised that what was going on was a work of God, Edom – had obviously acted against Israel, the Philistines – had also acted against Israel trying to destroy them. Each one of those is dealt with quite quickly – they will be punished.

But then came three chapters about Tyre , that trading city of the north. In chapter 26 we saw that Tyre had likewise cheered when Jerusalem fell. The picture is painted of Tyre 's greatness and grandeur in chapter 27 but when an east wind (?Nebuchadnezzar) comes there will be economic collapse. We have to wait until chapter 28 to see the Lord's main condemnation: their pride.

Within the amazing descriptions there we sense the Lord has moved into the spiritual realms and has derided Satan, who is behind all evil and certainly the pride of Tyre . Next Sidon is spoken against, presumably for its godlessness, and they will be dealt with by the Lord to change their situation. The final picture is of peace for Israel .

PRAY :

Worship the Lord who is a righteous and just Judge.

PART 4 : "Against Egypt " Ch.29-32

As we come to the end of this particular set of studies, we will see the word coming extensively against Egypt , next to Assyria, the largest of the players in the Middle East . See what God says about them.