For a full description of the (Y3) reading plan, see the “About” page.
- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Ezek. 28
God’s declarations of judgment and lament shift from a place to a person here. And, as is often the case with words against Babylon, there are clear connections to Lucifer in them. Babylon as a representation of Lucifer makes some sense to me, but why Tyre? What is the significance there? The only thing that comes to mind is what I mentioned in yesterday’s reading. I have this picture of Tyre as some kind of central hub that all the nations sought out and flocked to. As such, the city and her ruler became lifted up and relied on. Was it a particular ruler that brought Tyre to this position? Or was the city in general a representation of the rule of human desire?
The only thing I know for certain is that no amount of worldly wealth, wisdom, and power can make us gods. Such pride leads only to destruction. There can be only one God, and anybody who contends with Him for any part of that position will lose the fight.
Ezek. 29
God said of Egypt, “It will never again be an object of trust for the house of Israel” (Ezek. 29:16a). Israel had a bad habit of turning to Egypt instead of God. So God removed the object of their trust to show Himself God. I believe He does the same with us. Anything we trust in that isn’t God is the same staff of reed that injures us when we lean on it. Whether we acknowledge that or not, in the end we will know that only God is the LORD.
Ezek. 30-31
By the first month of the eleventh year, God’s prophecy of Egypt’s destruction was in motion. As the prophetic analogy puts it, God had broken one of Egypt’s arms and intended to break the other. I wonder what Egypt’s response to this was because two months later God asked them, “Who are you like in your greatness?” (Ezek. 31:2b). It seems that even with one broken arm, so to speak, Egypt still thought she could stand against God. In response, God pointed to Assyria.
Assyria was the nation that conquered Israel and a good part of Judah prior to Babylon. At the time, she was likely the mightiest nation in the land. She, too, had become proud because of her might. As a result, God humbled Assyria. God’s message to me through Egypt and Assyria? If we can’t even stand up against human might, how, then, do we think we can stand against God? Human pride is truly the epitome of foolishness.