Prophecy – Ezekiel 25-30
Do you find the picture an anomaly? While it may seems strange, it can be said to be a fitting portrayal of sin – seemingly attractive and gratifying but as Christians, we know very well what is going to be served on these plates do we not?
We can get an idea of just what is to be served on them as we start on the second half of Ezekiel where we leave behind (for a while) the judgement of God on His people and look at His judgement on the surrounding cities instead.
When we see how God judges these cities for their sins, let us reflect upon ourselves for if God punishes the people who do not believe in Him for these sins, how much more will He censure us who have received His grace and statutes yet commit these same sins?
Let us read today’s passage to see just what God is judging these nations for.
Bible Passage: Ezekiel 25-30
Like I mentioned earlier, sins can be packaged extremely attractively. Despite the fact that we may not dare to commit outright sins like idol worship or adultery, there are many sins we commit because we fool ourselves into thinking we are doing the right thing when committing these sins. Let us see how.
Vindictiveness (Resulting in Wrath)
The desire for vengeance is often the downfall of men and vindictiveness was also one of the main reasons why God stretched out His hand against Edom and Philistia. This desire may stem from a thirst for justice, which many use to condone their acts of vengeance.
However, God said He would cut them Edom and Philistia, destroy their remnant and execute vengeance on them,
‘[…] Because of what Edom did against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and has greatly offended by avenging itself on them’ (Ezek 25:12)
‘[…] Because the Philistines dealt vengefully and took vengeance with a spiteful heart, to destroy because of the old hatred,’ (Ezek 25:15)
Thus, while we may seem to standing up for justice when we exact vengeance upon those who have wronged us, we must remember that man often allows his emotions to overcome him and when we try to take revenge, it often results in a torrent of excessive anger instead of a meting out of just punishment.
To err on the side of caution then, we should leave revenge in the hands of the omniscient and most just God for He had already said,
‘Vengeance is Mine, and recompense’ (Deut 32:35)
While Edom and Philistia were judged for being vengeful, Tyre was judged for being greedy. She gloated in the downfall of Jerusalem saying that
‘Aha! She is broken who was the gateway of the peoples; now she is turned over to me; I shall be filled; she is laid waste.’ (Ezek 26:2)
Besides this, we see how much effort she puts into amassing wealth and riches as we continue reading.
In our context today, are we guilty of the same sin of greed? We want more of everything – more education, more money, and more luxuries. Worse still, we deceive ourselves into thinking that what we want are just the basics, that we are not being greedy.
This brings to mind how I complained about having to stay in my sister’s 3-room flat while our flat was being renovated. Her flat was perfectly adequate but because I was so used to my luxuries back at home, I felt it a torture to stay there.
How many of us are guilty of this greed disguising as a desire to improve ourselves or a wish to meet our ‘needs’? Let us examine our lives today and ask if we really are in lack of so many things or are we just hankering for things we can do fine without.
Pride
A possible reason for Tyre’s greed is seen later in the passage. She seeks to amass riches for herself to satisfy her pride. Besides being a reason, pride could also be a result of her riches and achievements.
This is a vicious cycle we can observe today, in our lives as well as the lives of the people around us.
Similar to greed, pride is also something one can deceive oneself about. Have you heard people explaining why they just have to get that doctorate? Or why they must have a car? Or why their children must be lawyers or doctors?
‘Well, I must be the best I can be right?’
‘Oh, a car is a necessity nowadays.’
‘If my child becomes successful, he can serve God better!’
Sounds very noble? But upon achieving all these, do we look down on people? Do we feel we have more say than others?
If so, we are in danger of ‘set[ting] our hearts as the heart of a god’ and have pandered to our pride instead of glorifying God. Let us hear when God tells us, ‘[…] you are a man, and not a god […]’ (Ezek 28:2) and not allow ourselves to be puffed up.
So, these deadly sins, the battles we face in our life of faith, how will we fight them today?
3 Comments
Flake
Out of the sins that were mentioned here, the sin which i’ve been battling the most is pride. I felt good about myself that i managed to get into a good secondary school and JC, and subsequently got a fairly good degree, without studying to my maximum potential. Now that i’ve got a decent job, i would fail to recall, at times, that it was through God’s grace that helped me ‘sail’ through my education and job applications.
It is very easy to forget about God’s mercy and blessings and feel puffed up when life works out fairly well. Falling into my own comfort zone is a trap and i constantly remind myself, that God gives grace to the humble, and opposes the proud.
PS
After God meted out His judgements on the various parties, God said something in common to all of them: “Then you shall know that I am the LORD.”
A similar message was spoken to Job in the book of Job. Job’s reaction was that he adhored himself and repented in dust and ashes.
“And there shall no longer be a pricking brier or a painful thorn for the house of Israel from among all who are around them, who despise them. Then they shall know that I am the Lord GOD.” (Ezek 28:24, 26)
Briers (thistles) and thorns sprung forth after Adam sinned and the earth cursed. They are liken to the non-believing people and temptations in the world. These people shall know that God is the only God when He meted out His judgement.
Though we are surrounded by the briers and thorns, we have to grow into full age, nourishing on God ‘s truth and Holy Spirit , so that by reason of use have our senses exercised to discern both good n evil. (Heb 5:14)
May we know and revere God bec of the simple fact that He has saved us into eternal life.
Lord Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to help us to know Him. Do know our Saviour earnestly. Do not wait till He comes again.
BRC's companion
Flake, acknowledgment of your weakness shows that you are constantly reflecting and striving to better yourself with the teachings of God. This is commendable and something we should all learn to practice. Especially when we have been in the fold for a long time and think that we know all that we need to know but fail to detect these “soul-eating” parasites embedded deep within us.