Ezekiel 28: Unmasking Pride and Finding True Righteousness

Executive Summary ✨

Ezekiel 28 delivers a potent prophecy against the King of Tyre, a symbol of worldly pride and arrogance. The chapter meticulously unveils the dangers of self-exaltation, contrasting it with the humility and dependence on God that are foundational to true righteousness. We dissect the king’s inflated self-image, his accumulation of wealth through trade, and the judgment that befalls him due to his sin. More than just a historical account, Ezekiel 28 serves as a timeless lesson on the corrupting influence of pride, offering a pathway to repentance and underscoring the ultimate sovereignty of God. The chapter concludes with a promise of restoration for Israel, providing hope amidst judgment. This profound prophecy reminds us of the need to guard our hearts against pride and pursue a life of humility and obedience to God, understanding that true security lies not in earthly possessions but in divine grace. We’ll explore how seeking affordable hosting can assist in the mission of spreading these messages.

Ezekiel 28: Unmasking Pride and Finding True Righteousness. This chapter stands as a stark warning against the seductive nature of pride and a beacon of hope for those who seek humility and divine favor. Let us delve into the depths of this prophecy, drawing wisdom from the text and applying it to our lives, guided by the rich traditions of the Coptic Orthodox Church.

Commentary Sections 📖

Ezekiel 28:1-2 – The Word of the Lord to Ezekiel

Ezekiel 28:1-2 (KJV): The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying, Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord God; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God.

Ezekiel 28:1-2 (NKJV): The word of the Lord came to me again, saying, “Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Because your heart is lifted up, And you say, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods, In the midst of the seas,’ Yet you are a man, and not a god, Though you set your heart as the heart of a god.’”

The Lord speaks directly to Ezekiel, commissioning him to deliver a harsh word to the “prince of Tyrus” (Tyre). This phrase, “prince of Tyrus,” is often understood to refer to the king of Tyre, who was at the time, Ithobaal III. The primary sin highlighted here is pride, specifically, the king’s audacious claim to divinity. He believes himself to be “a god” sitting in “the seat of gods,” a blatant act of self-deification. This is not mere political boasting; it is spiritual arrogance. We must remember that all that we have is a gift from God. As St. Athanasius says, “Αὐτὸς γὰρ ὁ Λόγος σὰρξ ἐγένετο, ἵνα ἡμεῖς θεοποιηθῶμεν” (For the Word himself became flesh, that we might be divinized) (Athanasius, *De Incarnatione*, 54.3). Our calling is to become like God through grace, not to usurp His position through pride.

• Spiritual Application: Beware of pride in your own achievements. Acknowledge God as the source of all good things and remain humble in your successes.

Ezekiel 28:3-5 – The King’s Wisdom and Wealth

Ezekiel 28:3-5 (KJV): Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee: With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures: By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches.

Ezekiel 28:3-5 (NKJV): Behold, you are wiser than Daniel! There is no secret that is hidden from you! With your wisdom and your understanding You have gained riches for yourself; You have gathered gold and silver into your treasuries; By your great wisdom in trade you have increased your riches, And your heart is lifted up because of your riches.

The text acknowledges the King’s extraordinary wisdom and shrewdness, even comparing him favorably to Daniel, known for his prophetic gifts and intelligence. However, this wisdom is not employed for God’s glory but for self-aggrandizement. He amasses wealth through trade, filling his treasures with gold and silver. The key phrase is “thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches.” Material prosperity, divorced from spiritual grounding, fuels his pride. This serves as a warning to us as Christians. St. Basil the Great warns, “Πλοῦτος ἀόρατον ἔχων τὸν ἰόν, τὴν ψυχὴν ἑλκοῖ” (Wealth, having an invisible poison, wounds the soul) (Basil, *Homilia in divites*, 6). Wealth itself isn’t evil, but the love of it and the pride it can engender are spiritually dangerous.

• Spiritual Application: Do not let your possessions define you. Use your talents and resources to serve others and glorify God.

Ezekiel 28:6-10 – Judgment Declared

Ezekiel 28:6-10 (KJV): Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Because thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God; Behold, therefore I will bring strangers upon thee, the terrible of the nations: and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of thy wisdom, and they shall defile thy brightness. They shall bring thee down to the pit, and thou shalt die the deaths of them that are slain in the midst of the seas. Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee, I am God? but thou shalt be a man, and no God, in the hand of him that slayeth thee. Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord God.

Ezekiel 28:6-10 (NKJV): Therefore, thus says the Lord God: “Because you have set your heart as the heart of a god, Behold, therefore, I will bring strangers against you, The most terrible of the nations; They shall draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom, And defile your splendor. They shall bring you down to the Pit, And you shall die the death of the slain in the midst of the seas. Will you still say before him who slays you, ‘I am a god’? But you shall be a man, and not a god, In the hand of him who kills you. You shall die the death of the uncircumcised By the hand of strangers; For I have spoken,” says the Lord God.

God’s judgment is pronounced. Because the king has equated his heart with God’s, God will bring “strangers” – fierce, foreign invaders – against him. These “terrible of the nations” will desecrate his wisdom and wealth, casting him down to the “Pit,” a symbol of Sheol or the grave. The most poignant question is posed: “Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee, I am God?” This highlights the ultimate futility of pride in the face of death and divine judgment. This judgment serves as a reminder that God will humble the proud. As Proverbs 16:18 states, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” This teaches us that all power and might ultimately reside in God, and resisting his sovereignty is a path to destruction. Ensuring accessible web hosting for your ministry’s website is crucial for spreading these lessons to others.

• Spiritual Application: Remember your mortality and avoid the trap of pride. Let humility be your guiding principle.

Ezekiel 28:11-19 – The Lament for the King of Tyre

Ezekiel 28:11-19 (KJV): Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.

Ezekiel 28:11-19 (NKJV): Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle; And gold was the workmanship of your settings and mountings. On the day you were created They were prepared for you; You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you. “By the abundance of your trading You became filled with violence within, And you sinned; Therefore I cast you out as a profane thing From the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the fiery stones. Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, That they might gaze at you. “You defiled your sanctuaries By the multitude of your iniquities, By the iniquity of your trading; Therefore I brought fire from your midst; It devoured you, And I turned you to ashes on the earth In the sight of all who saw you. All who knew you among the peoples are astonished at you; You have become a horror, And shall be no more forever.”’

This passage is complex and often interpreted as having a dual reference: both to the King of Tyre and, allegorically, to Satan. The King is described as “the seal of perfection, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty,” even suggesting he was in “Eden, the garden of God.” This imagery evokes the fall of Lucifer, the “anointed cherub who covers,” who was cast down due to his pride. The King’s beauty and wisdom corrupted him, leading to violence and sin through his excessive trading. The reference to being in “Eden, the garden of God,” is not to be taken literally as implying the king was actually in the original Garden. Instead, it emphasizes the incredibly blessed and privileged position the King held, analogous to the initial state of Adam. St. Gregory of Nyssa writes, “Ἡ γὰρ ὑπερηφανία πτώσεως ἀρχή” (For pride is the beginning of a fall) (Gregory of Nyssa, *De vita Moysis*, 2.232). The king, like Lucifer, succumbed to pride and was consequently cast down. The stones, gold and fire here might also be seen as symbols of glory. However, the key takeaway is the fall due to pride. The fall of the King of Tyre, like the fall of Lucifer, should remind us to avoid the temptation to see ourselves as greater than we are and to remain steadfast in our humility.

• Spiritual Application: Recognize that all good things come from God and resist the temptation of pride and self-exaltation. Strive for humility and remember that true beauty lies in inner purity, not outward appearance.

Ezekiel 28:20-24 – Prophecy Against Sidon

Ezekiel 28:20-24 (KJV): Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face toward Zidon, and prophesy against it, And say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Zidon; and I will be glorified in the midst of thee: and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall have executed judgments in her, and shall be sanctified in her. For I will send into her pestilence, and blood into her streets; and the wounded shall be judged in the midst of her by the sword upon her on every side; and they shall know that I am the Lord. And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor any grieving thorn of all that are round about them, that despise them; and they shall know that I am the Lord God.

Ezekiel 28:20-24 (NKJV): Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Son of man, set your face toward Sidon, and prophesy against her, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against you, O Sidon; I will be glorified in your midst; And they shall know that I am the Lord, when I execute judgments in her and am hallowed in her. For I will send pestilence upon her, And blood into her streets; The wounded shall be judged in her midst By the sword on every side; Then they shall know that I am the Lord. “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.”’

After Tyre, the prophecy turns to Sidon, another Phoenician city, and neighbor of Tyre. Sidon will also face judgment. The purpose of this judgment is not simply punishment, but that God may be “glorified in the midst of thee” and that the people “shall know that I am the Lord.” The judgment will come in the form of “pestilence and blood.” Importantly, verse 24 speaks of relief for Israel: “there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel.” This offers consolation that these hostile nations, who were a source of constant irritation and pain, would no longer threaten them. The Coptic Church understands this as God’s active care for His people. The destruction of oppressive forces enables Israel to know God’s sovereignty.

• Spiritual Application: Trust in God’s justice and provision. Even in times of suffering, God is working to bring about good and protect His people.

Ezekiel 28:25-26 – The Gathering of Israel

Ezekiel 28:25-26 (KJV): Thus saith the Lord God; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob. And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the Lord their God.

Ezekiel 28:25-26 (NKJV): ‘Thus says the Lord God: “When I have gathered the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and am hallowed in them in the sight of the Gentiles, then they will dwell in their own land which I gave to My servant Jacob. And they will dwell safely there, build houses, and plant vineyards; yes, they will dwell securely, when I execute judgments on all those who despise them all around them. Then they shall know that I am the Lord their God.”’

The chapter concludes with a promise of restoration for Israel. God will gather them from the nations where they have been scattered and bring them back to their land, “which I gave to my servant Jacob.” They will dwell safely, build houses, and plant vineyards, living with confidence. This restoration demonstrates God’s unwavering covenant with Israel. The fulfillment of this prophecy, both in the return from Babylonian exile and the future gathering of Israel at the end of times, speaks to God’s faithfulness. This promise is central to Coptic Orthodox eschatology, affirming that God’s plans for His chosen people will ultimately prevail. Just as the Israelites will dwell safely again, God offers us all spiritual protection through His grace. He guides us towards salvation and everlasting peace.

• Spiritual Application: Hold fast to hope and trust in God’s promises. Even in times of exile and hardship, remember that God’s plan for restoration is certain.

Subtopic Sections

Reflections on Pride and Humility:

• The Deceptive Nature of Pride: Pride blinds us to our weaknesses and limitations, leading us to overestimate ourselves and underestimate God.
• Humility as a Virtue: Humility allows us to acknowledge our dependence on God and to receive His grace and guidance.
• Pride’s Impact on Relationships: Pride creates division and conflict, while humility fosters unity and harmony.
• The Consequences of Pride: Pride ultimately leads to downfall and destruction, as seen in the fate of the King of Tyre.
• The Blessings of Humility: Humility leads to exaltation and honor, as exemplified by Christ who humbled himself unto death.

FAQ ❓

Common Questions About Ezekiel 28:

• Q: Who is the King of Tyre a symbol of?
  A: The King of Tyre is a symbol of worldly pride, arrogance, and self-deification. He also is often seen as an allegorical representation of Lucifer, who fell from grace due to his pride.
• Q: What is the significance of the lament in Ezekiel 28:11-19?
  A: The lament highlights the King’s former glory and the tragic fall resulting from his pride, serving as a warning against self-exaltation and a reminder of God’s ultimate judgment.
• Q: How does Ezekiel 28 apply to my life today?
  A: Ezekiel 28 teaches us to guard our hearts against pride, to remain humble in our achievements, and to trust in God’s provision and justice. It is a lesson that our strengths and blessings are from Him, and to boast or exalt ourselves is a sin.
• Q: What does the promise of restoration for Israel mean in Ezekiel 28:25-26?
  A: The promise of restoration signifies God’s unwavering covenant with His people and His ultimate plan to gather them back to their land, providing hope and security. The promise of restoration for Israel teaches us that God never abandons those who call on His name in truth.

Conclusion ✨

Ezekiel 28 serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of pride and the importance of humility. The prophecy against the King of Tyre exposes the futility of self-exaltation and the inevitable judgment that awaits those who place themselves above God. The promise of restoration for Israel, however, offers a message of hope and assurance that God remains faithful to His promises and will ultimately bring about justice and healing. Let us heed the lessons of Ezekiel 28, cultivating humility, seeking God’s grace, and living in obedience to His will. Understanding the importance of spreading these messages of faith and guidance is crucial and just as the prophet Ezekiel was called to share God’s message, affordable hosting can help expand the reach of similar ministries and religious outreach programs.

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Ezekiel 28, Prophecy, Tyre, King, Pride, Humility, Judgment, Restoration, Israel, Coptic Orthodox

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Ezekiel 28 Commentary: Unmasking Pride and Finding True Righteousness. A Coptic Orthodox perspective on the prophecy against the King of Tyre. Explore lessons of humility, judgment, and hope.