Ezekiel 28
BBCEzekiel 28:1
- The Downfall of the Prince of Tyre (28:1-19)28:1-10 The pride, wisdom, and wealth of the prince of Tyre are described in verses 1-6, and then his destruction by the Babylonians (vv. 7-10). No doubt this prince foreshadows the antichrist. 28:11-19 In verse 11 there is a change from the prince of Tyre to the king of Tyre. The latter is the spirit that animated the prince. The king of Tyre was noted for his beauty, but because of his pride he was destroyed. The description of the king of Tyre as the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty, as having been in Eden, the garden of God, as having every precious stone as a covering, as being the anointed cherub, and as having been on the holy mountain of God, taken together seem too impressive for any great ruler, even allowing for great use of hyperbole, or literary exaggeration. For this reason many Bible students see in verses 11-19 a description of Satan and of his fall from heaven. Feinberg explains: Ezekiel . . . appeared to have the situation of his day in mind with his attention riveted upon the ruler of Tyre, the embodiment of the people’s pride and godlessness. But as he viewed the thoughts and ways of that monarch, he clearly discerned behind him the motivating force and personality who was impelling him in his opposition to God. In short, he saw the work and activity of Satan, whom the king of Tyre was emulating in so many ways. Recall the incident in Mat_16:21-23 where Peter was rebuked by our Lord Jesus. No sterner words were spoken to anyone in Christ’s earthly ministry. But He did not mean that Peter had somehow become Satan himself; He was indicating that the motivation behind Peter’s opposition to His going to Calvary was none other than the prince of the demons.
This appears to be a similar situation. Some liberal expositors admit that it would appear that Ezekiel had in mind some spirit or genius of Tyre comparable to the angelic powers and princes in the book of Daniel who are entrusted with the affairs of nations. If pride is deadly enough to destroy a most powerful and wise being, how much more should we mortals take heed not to walk independently of the Lord!
Ezekiel 28:20
F. Prophecy against Sidon (28:20-26)28:20-23 The sixth object of God’s judgment is Sidon. It was a seacoast city near Tyre. God warned that it would be subjected to pestilence and sword, but He did not say it would be destroyed forever. Sidon still stands today as a town in Lebanon, though biblical Tyre has been wiped out completely (see Eze_26:21). 28:24-26 These verses predict the restoration of Israel when the Lord GOD sets up His kingdom on the earth.