Daniel 12

Daniel 12:1

Judgment on the Cities of Egypt

Starting in Ezekiel 30:13, it is about the judgment on the cities of Egypt. Each city has its own gods and temples. The LORD shows that no god in Egypt is powerful enough to stand against Him. He also shows that He is different from the other gods because Jerusalem has been destroyed and He nevertheless has the power to destroy Egypt.

He begins with a word about the destruction of “the stink gods” and “the images” (Ezekiel 30:13). The Egyptians rely on these gods, as did God’s people. The worthlessness of these gods is apparent. The folly of relying on them is demonstrated. When the idols are gone, the Egyptians will no longer consult demons. There will also be no more human leadership, “prince”, for the princes have also been killed. That situation will cause fear in Egypt, a fear that God will place on that people, giving His exaltation over them even more emphasis.

Ezekiel 30:14-18 list several Egyptian cities that are special objects of God’s judgment. God uses a wide variety of words to express what He will do and what it will cause. There is talk in these verses of: 1. desolate (cf. Leviticus 26:32; Hosea 2:12), 2. set a fire (Ezekiel 30:14; 16), 3. execute judgments (Ezekiel 30:14; 19), 4. pour out wrath (Ezekiel 14:19; Ezekiel 30:15), 5. cut off (Ezekiel 14:13; 17; Ezekiel 21:3; Ezekiel 25:13; 16; Ezekiel 29:8; Ezekiel 30:15; Ezekiel 35:7), 6. writhe in anguish (Isaiah 26:17; Ezekiel 30:16), 7. breached, 8. daily distresses, 9. fall by the sword (Ezekiel 5:12; Ezekiel 17:21; Ezekiel 30:17; Ezekiel 33:27), 10. go into captivity (Ezekiel 30:17-18).

“Sin”, the stronghold of Egypt (Ezekiel 30:15), does not impress Nebuchadnezzar, nor does a crowd or youthful strength or youthful beauty (Ezekiel 30:17). He will break the yoke of power with which Egypt has subjugated other nations (Ezekiel 30:18). Nothing will remain of “the pride of her power”. A cloud of disaster and misery will have descended over Egypt, leaving nothing recognizable of its original attractiveness. This is emphasized by the going into captivity of his daughters, with which the prospect of a restoration also disappears.

All these judgments, which come as punishments on Egypt, are done by the LORD (Ezekiel 30:19). By this they will know that He is the LORD.

Daniel 12:2

Judgment on the Cities of Egypt

Starting in Ezekiel 30:13, it is about the judgment on the cities of Egypt. Each city has its own gods and temples. The LORD shows that no god in Egypt is powerful enough to stand against Him. He also shows that He is different from the other gods because Jerusalem has been destroyed and He nevertheless has the power to destroy Egypt.

He begins with a word about the destruction of “the stink gods” and “the images” (Ezekiel 30:13). The Egyptians rely on these gods, as did God’s people. The worthlessness of these gods is apparent. The folly of relying on them is demonstrated. When the idols are gone, the Egyptians will no longer consult demons. There will also be no more human leadership, “prince”, for the princes have also been killed. That situation will cause fear in Egypt, a fear that God will place on that people, giving His exaltation over them even more emphasis.

Ezekiel 30:14-18 list several Egyptian cities that are special objects of God’s judgment. God uses a wide variety of words to express what He will do and what it will cause. There is talk in these verses of: 1. desolate (cf. Leviticus 26:32; Hosea 2:12), 2. set a fire (Ezekiel 30:14; 16), 3. execute judgments (Ezekiel 30:14; 19), 4. pour out wrath (Ezekiel 14:19; Ezekiel 30:15), 5. cut off (Ezekiel 14:13; 17; Ezekiel 21:3; Ezekiel 25:13; 16; Ezekiel 29:8; Ezekiel 30:15; Ezekiel 35:7), 6. writhe in anguish (Isaiah 26:17; Ezekiel 30:16), 7. breached, 8. daily distresses, 9. fall by the sword (Ezekiel 5:12; Ezekiel 17:21; Ezekiel 30:17; Ezekiel 33:27), 10. go into captivity (Ezekiel 30:17-18).

“Sin”, the stronghold of Egypt (Ezekiel 30:15), does not impress Nebuchadnezzar, nor does a crowd or youthful strength or youthful beauty (Ezekiel 30:17). He will break the yoke of power with which Egypt has subjugated other nations (Ezekiel 30:18). Nothing will remain of “the pride of her power”. A cloud of disaster and misery will have descended over Egypt, leaving nothing recognizable of its original attractiveness. This is emphasized by the going into captivity of his daughters, with which the prospect of a restoration also disappears.

All these judgments, which come as punishments on Egypt, are done by the LORD (Ezekiel 30:19). By this they will know that He is the LORD.

Daniel 12:3

Judgment on Pharaoh

In the eleventh year, which is the year of the fall of Jerusalem, the word of the LORD comes to Ezekiel (Ezekiel 30:20). The LORD tells him that He has broken Pharaoh’s arm – arm is a picture of strength (Ezekiel 30:21). Pharaoh no longer has strength in his arm to wield the sword. That strength will not come back either, because his arm will not be bound to heal. Because that break will not heal, he will not be able to become strong enough to develop any strength at all.

The LORD will also break up what remained of his power (Ezekiel 30:22). Both arms will be broken so that he cannot even hold the sword, let alone use it. Regrouping will not be possible either, for the LORD will scatter the Egyptians among the nations (Ezekiel 30:23).

In contrast, the LORD will make strong the arms of the king of Babylon (Ezekiel 30:24). He will also give him His sword in his hand. Pharaoh’s arms are broken by Him, made powerless, so that he cannot stand against the king of Babylon. He will groan before the king of Babylon like a mortally wounded man.

Once again the LORD says He will make the arms of the king of Babylon strong and Pharaoh’s arms will fall down powerless (Ezekiel 30:25). When Nebuchadnezzar will strike Egypt with the sword the LORD has given him, they will know that He is the LORD. They will also know that He is the LORD when He scatters them among the nations and disperses them among the lands (Ezekiel 30:26). It is also important for Israel to know this, so that they will never again rely on Egypt.

Daniel 12:4

Judgment on Pharaoh

In the eleventh year, which is the year of the fall of Jerusalem, the word of the LORD comes to Ezekiel (Ezekiel 30:20). The LORD tells him that He has broken Pharaoh’s arm – arm is a picture of strength (Ezekiel 30:21). Pharaoh no longer has strength in his arm to wield the sword. That strength will not come back either, because his arm will not be bound to heal. Because that break will not heal, he will not be able to become strong enough to develop any strength at all.

The LORD will also break up what remained of his power (Ezekiel 30:22). Both arms will be broken so that he cannot even hold the sword, let alone use it. Regrouping will not be possible either, for the LORD will scatter the Egyptians among the nations (Ezekiel 30:23).

In contrast, the LORD will make strong the arms of the king of Babylon (Ezekiel 30:24). He will also give him His sword in his hand. Pharaoh’s arms are broken by Him, made powerless, so that he cannot stand against the king of Babylon. He will groan before the king of Babylon like a mortally wounded man.

Once again the LORD says He will make the arms of the king of Babylon strong and Pharaoh’s arms will fall down powerless (Ezekiel 30:25). When Nebuchadnezzar will strike Egypt with the sword the LORD has given him, they will know that He is the LORD. They will also know that He is the LORD when He scatters them among the nations and disperses them among the lands (Ezekiel 30:26). It is also important for Israel to know this, so that they will never again rely on Egypt.

Daniel 12:5

Judgment on Pharaoh

In the eleventh year, which is the year of the fall of Jerusalem, the word of the LORD comes to Ezekiel (Ezekiel 30:20). The LORD tells him that He has broken Pharaoh’s arm – arm is a picture of strength (Ezekiel 30:21). Pharaoh no longer has strength in his arm to wield the sword. That strength will not come back either, because his arm will not be bound to heal. Because that break will not heal, he will not be able to become strong enough to develop any strength at all.

The LORD will also break up what remained of his power (Ezekiel 30:22). Both arms will be broken so that he cannot even hold the sword, let alone use it. Regrouping will not be possible either, for the LORD will scatter the Egyptians among the nations (Ezekiel 30:23).

In contrast, the LORD will make strong the arms of the king of Babylon (Ezekiel 30:24). He will also give him His sword in his hand. Pharaoh’s arms are broken by Him, made powerless, so that he cannot stand against the king of Babylon. He will groan before the king of Babylon like a mortally wounded man.

Once again the LORD says He will make the arms of the king of Babylon strong and Pharaoh’s arms will fall down powerless (Ezekiel 30:25). When Nebuchadnezzar will strike Egypt with the sword the LORD has given him, they will know that He is the LORD. They will also know that He is the LORD when He scatters them among the nations and disperses them among the lands (Ezekiel 30:26). It is also important for Israel to know this, so that they will never again rely on Egypt.

Daniel 12:6

Judgment on Pharaoh

In the eleventh year, which is the year of the fall of Jerusalem, the word of the LORD comes to Ezekiel (Ezekiel 30:20). The LORD tells him that He has broken Pharaoh’s arm – arm is a picture of strength (Ezekiel 30:21). Pharaoh no longer has strength in his arm to wield the sword. That strength will not come back either, because his arm will not be bound to heal. Because that break will not heal, he will not be able to become strong enough to develop any strength at all.

The LORD will also break up what remained of his power (Ezekiel 30:22). Both arms will be broken so that he cannot even hold the sword, let alone use it. Regrouping will not be possible either, for the LORD will scatter the Egyptians among the nations (Ezekiel 30:23).

In contrast, the LORD will make strong the arms of the king of Babylon (Ezekiel 30:24). He will also give him His sword in his hand. Pharaoh’s arms are broken by Him, made powerless, so that he cannot stand against the king of Babylon. He will groan before the king of Babylon like a mortally wounded man.

Once again the LORD says He will make the arms of the king of Babylon strong and Pharaoh’s arms will fall down powerless (Ezekiel 30:25). When Nebuchadnezzar will strike Egypt with the sword the LORD has given him, they will know that He is the LORD. They will also know that He is the LORD when He scatters them among the nations and disperses them among the lands (Ezekiel 30:26). It is also important for Israel to know this, so that they will never again rely on Egypt.

Daniel 12:7

Judgment on Pharaoh

In the eleventh year, which is the year of the fall of Jerusalem, the word of the LORD comes to Ezekiel (Ezekiel 30:20). The LORD tells him that He has broken Pharaoh’s arm – arm is a picture of strength (Ezekiel 30:21). Pharaoh no longer has strength in his arm to wield the sword. That strength will not come back either, because his arm will not be bound to heal. Because that break will not heal, he will not be able to become strong enough to develop any strength at all.

The LORD will also break up what remained of his power (Ezekiel 30:22). Both arms will be broken so that he cannot even hold the sword, let alone use it. Regrouping will not be possible either, for the LORD will scatter the Egyptians among the nations (Ezekiel 30:23).

In contrast, the LORD will make strong the arms of the king of Babylon (Ezekiel 30:24). He will also give him His sword in his hand. Pharaoh’s arms are broken by Him, made powerless, so that he cannot stand against the king of Babylon. He will groan before the king of Babylon like a mortally wounded man.

Once again the LORD says He will make the arms of the king of Babylon strong and Pharaoh’s arms will fall down powerless (Ezekiel 30:25). When Nebuchadnezzar will strike Egypt with the sword the LORD has given him, they will know that He is the LORD. They will also know that He is the LORD when He scatters them among the nations and disperses them among the lands (Ezekiel 30:26). It is also important for Israel to know this, so that they will never again rely on Egypt.

Daniel 12:8

Judgment on Pharaoh

In the eleventh year, which is the year of the fall of Jerusalem, the word of the LORD comes to Ezekiel (Ezekiel 30:20). The LORD tells him that He has broken Pharaoh’s arm – arm is a picture of strength (Ezekiel 30:21). Pharaoh no longer has strength in his arm to wield the sword. That strength will not come back either, because his arm will not be bound to heal. Because that break will not heal, he will not be able to become strong enough to develop any strength at all.

The LORD will also break up what remained of his power (Ezekiel 30:22). Both arms will be broken so that he cannot even hold the sword, let alone use it. Regrouping will not be possible either, for the LORD will scatter the Egyptians among the nations (Ezekiel 30:23).

In contrast, the LORD will make strong the arms of the king of Babylon (Ezekiel 30:24). He will also give him His sword in his hand. Pharaoh’s arms are broken by Him, made powerless, so that he cannot stand against the king of Babylon. He will groan before the king of Babylon like a mortally wounded man.

Once again the LORD says He will make the arms of the king of Babylon strong and Pharaoh’s arms will fall down powerless (Ezekiel 30:25). When Nebuchadnezzar will strike Egypt with the sword the LORD has given him, they will know that He is the LORD. They will also know that He is the LORD when He scatters them among the nations and disperses them among the lands (Ezekiel 30:26). It is also important for Israel to know this, so that they will never again rely on Egypt.

Daniel 12:9

Judgment on Pharaoh

In the eleventh year, which is the year of the fall of Jerusalem, the word of the LORD comes to Ezekiel (Ezekiel 30:20). The LORD tells him that He has broken Pharaoh’s arm – arm is a picture of strength (Ezekiel 30:21). Pharaoh no longer has strength in his arm to wield the sword. That strength will not come back either, because his arm will not be bound to heal. Because that break will not heal, he will not be able to become strong enough to develop any strength at all.

The LORD will also break up what remained of his power (Ezekiel 30:22). Both arms will be broken so that he cannot even hold the sword, let alone use it. Regrouping will not be possible either, for the LORD will scatter the Egyptians among the nations (Ezekiel 30:23).

In contrast, the LORD will make strong the arms of the king of Babylon (Ezekiel 30:24). He will also give him His sword in his hand. Pharaoh’s arms are broken by Him, made powerless, so that he cannot stand against the king of Babylon. He will groan before the king of Babylon like a mortally wounded man.

Once again the LORD says He will make the arms of the king of Babylon strong and Pharaoh’s arms will fall down powerless (Ezekiel 30:25). When Nebuchadnezzar will strike Egypt with the sword the LORD has given him, they will know that He is the LORD. They will also know that He is the LORD when He scatters them among the nations and disperses them among the lands (Ezekiel 30:26). It is also important for Israel to know this, so that they will never again rely on Egypt.

Daniel 12:11

Introduction

In this chapter, Assyria is used as an example to Egypt of the fate that will befall them.

Assyria as a Warning Example

In the eleventh year, the word of the LORD comes to Ezekiel again (Ezekiel 31:1). He must again go with a message to Pharaoh and his people, the Egyptians (Ezekiel 31:2). This time he is to present them with a parable. He begins by asking who Pharaoh and his hordes of subjects are comparable to. The answer follows immediately: it is with Assyria (Ezekiel 31:3). Assyria has always competed with Egypt for world domination, a battle sometimes won by one, sometimes by the other. But Assyria, as a world power, still makes the most impression.

There follows a description of the greatness and fall of Assyria. This is done by picturing Assyria as an impressive cedar in Lebanon. This tree is a symbol of majesty and power and at the same time a picture of pride (Daniel 4:20-28). This is already reflected in its tall trunk and “its top” which is “among the clouds”. This tree is so tall that it looks like an entire forest.

Because he can absorb abundant water, he grows prosperously (Ezekiel 31:4). Because of his greatness, he gains connection with all the trees in the field. Other peoples want to serve him or are subdued by him. Thus he becomes taller than all the trees of the field, which means he becomes greater than all other peoples (Ezekiel 31:5). Just as the branches of the tree provide protection for birds and animals, so he becomes the protector of all kinds of peoples (Ezekiel 31:6; cf. Daniel 4:12; Matthew 13:32).

In his loftiness he is beautiful and in his vastness he is mighty (Ezekiel 31:7). His appearance is reminiscent of the trees in paradise (Ezekiel 31:8). The most beautiful trees in the garden of God cannot measure up to him. With his appearance, he commands the respect of everything around him in creation.

The way he is presented here also expresses his immoderate complacency. As the LORD made the trees in the garden, He also made the cedar (Ezekiel 31:9). In the same way, He also made Assyria great. In Ezekiel 31:10, the LORD briefly addresses Egypt in between, which we see by the words “you are” [“it is” is literally “you are”] (cf. Ezekiel 31:2), as a reminder that the description of Assyria is in fact about Egypt.

But there is no awareness in Assyria, as in Egypt, that he owes his greatness to the LORD. On the contrary, his heart has lifted up itself on his height and his power. What God has given him and made of him, he has in pride attributed to himself. Therefore the Lord GOD pronounces His judgment on him and will give him into the hand of “a despot of the nations”, that is, the king of Babylon, the rising world power (Ezekiel 31:11). He has repaid him his wickedness and expelled him from his supreme position. But it is the LORD Himself Who has done that.

The picture of the tree is further used to describe the fall of Assyria (Ezekiel 31:12). Assyria is cut down. There he lies, felled. His branches, by which is meant all the nations associated with him, fall with him and perish. Others move away from him, without further concern for him. There are some, however, who continue to dwell with him and sit on his branches (Ezekiel 31:13; Ezekiel 31:6). These are nations who first shared in Assyria’s prosperity and now see some profit in his fall.

The fall causes such a startling effect that all the trees are careful not to exalt themselves (Ezekiel 31:14). None of the ‘water drinkers’, that is, no tree as a picture of a people, should dare to exalt themselves. Just as a tree cannot grow by itself, but only thanks to water, so a people cannot grow by themselves, but only in dependence on God. Those who want to become great in their own strength are blind to the end that awaits earthly rulers: surrendered to death and going to the lowest places of the earth. There they are nothing more than all the other people who are already there.

That, says the Lord GOD to Egypt, is what happened to Assyria (Ezekiel 31:15). It went down to Sheol. The fall did not bring joy to the LORD, but lamentations. In the picture, the waters mourn over the fall of the cedar, He shrouds Lebanon in blackness [“mourn” is literally “be darkened”] and made all the trees of the field wilt away.

There is dismay among the nations because of the deep fall of Assyria to Sheol because they fear the same fate (Ezekiel 31:16). If Assyria with its awesome military might cannot withstand the Babylonians, who will be able to withstand them? In his fall, he drags others with him into the pit. But in the end it is not the Babylonians who have caused the nations to quake, but the quaking has come from the LORD.

On the other hand, among those who are in the realm of the dead – the dethroned princes and defeated nations – there is a certain satisfaction when the king of Assyria joins them. His power on earth has not protected him from the judgment of God. They had to bow down to him on earth, but now he is equal to them. They are all in Sheol and have ended up there in the same way (Ezekiel 31:17). All have fallen by the sword that has been his powerful weapon, with which he has subdued other nations.

Then the LORD again addresses Pharaoh and his people directly (Ezekiel 31:18; Ezekiel 31:2). He asks him again the question He asked at the beginning. Again, the answer immediately follows. The LORD assures Pharaoh that he and his people will not fare any differently than Assyria and the nations allied with him did. They will lie down in disgrace after being slain by the sword. That is how it will end with Pharaoh and all his hordes. The Lord GOD declares so and therefore it will go that way.

Daniel 12:12

Introduction

In this chapter, Assyria is used as an example to Egypt of the fate that will befall them.

Assyria as a Warning Example

In the eleventh year, the word of the LORD comes to Ezekiel again (Ezekiel 31:1). He must again go with a message to Pharaoh and his people, the Egyptians (Ezekiel 31:2). This time he is to present them with a parable. He begins by asking who Pharaoh and his hordes of subjects are comparable to. The answer follows immediately: it is with Assyria (Ezekiel 31:3). Assyria has always competed with Egypt for world domination, a battle sometimes won by one, sometimes by the other. But Assyria, as a world power, still makes the most impression.

There follows a description of the greatness and fall of Assyria. This is done by picturing Assyria as an impressive cedar in Lebanon. This tree is a symbol of majesty and power and at the same time a picture of pride (Daniel 4:20-28). This is already reflected in its tall trunk and “its top” which is “among the clouds”. This tree is so tall that it looks like an entire forest.

Because he can absorb abundant water, he grows prosperously (Ezekiel 31:4). Because of his greatness, he gains connection with all the trees in the field. Other peoples want to serve him or are subdued by him. Thus he becomes taller than all the trees of the field, which means he becomes greater than all other peoples (Ezekiel 31:5). Just as the branches of the tree provide protection for birds and animals, so he becomes the protector of all kinds of peoples (Ezekiel 31:6; cf. Daniel 4:12; Matthew 13:32).

In his loftiness he is beautiful and in his vastness he is mighty (Ezekiel 31:7). His appearance is reminiscent of the trees in paradise (Ezekiel 31:8). The most beautiful trees in the garden of God cannot measure up to him. With his appearance, he commands the respect of everything around him in creation.

The way he is presented here also expresses his immoderate complacency. As the LORD made the trees in the garden, He also made the cedar (Ezekiel 31:9). In the same way, He also made Assyria great. In Ezekiel 31:10, the LORD briefly addresses Egypt in between, which we see by the words “you are” [“it is” is literally “you are”] (cf. Ezekiel 31:2), as a reminder that the description of Assyria is in fact about Egypt.

But there is no awareness in Assyria, as in Egypt, that he owes his greatness to the LORD. On the contrary, his heart has lifted up itself on his height and his power. What God has given him and made of him, he has in pride attributed to himself. Therefore the Lord GOD pronounces His judgment on him and will give him into the hand of “a despot of the nations”, that is, the king of Babylon, the rising world power (Ezekiel 31:11). He has repaid him his wickedness and expelled him from his supreme position. But it is the LORD Himself Who has done that.

The picture of the tree is further used to describe the fall of Assyria (Ezekiel 31:12). Assyria is cut down. There he lies, felled. His branches, by which is meant all the nations associated with him, fall with him and perish. Others move away from him, without further concern for him. There are some, however, who continue to dwell with him and sit on his branches (Ezekiel 31:13; Ezekiel 31:6). These are nations who first shared in Assyria’s prosperity and now see some profit in his fall.

The fall causes such a startling effect that all the trees are careful not to exalt themselves (Ezekiel 31:14). None of the ‘water drinkers’, that is, no tree as a picture of a people, should dare to exalt themselves. Just as a tree cannot grow by itself, but only thanks to water, so a people cannot grow by themselves, but only in dependence on God. Those who want to become great in their own strength are blind to the end that awaits earthly rulers: surrendered to death and going to the lowest places of the earth. There they are nothing more than all the other people who are already there.

That, says the Lord GOD to Egypt, is what happened to Assyria (Ezekiel 31:15). It went down to Sheol. The fall did not bring joy to the LORD, but lamentations. In the picture, the waters mourn over the fall of the cedar, He shrouds Lebanon in blackness [“mourn” is literally “be darkened”] and made all the trees of the field wilt away.

There is dismay among the nations because of the deep fall of Assyria to Sheol because they fear the same fate (Ezekiel 31:16). If Assyria with its awesome military might cannot withstand the Babylonians, who will be able to withstand them? In his fall, he drags others with him into the pit. But in the end it is not the Babylonians who have caused the nations to quake, but the quaking has come from the LORD.

On the other hand, among those who are in the realm of the dead – the dethroned princes and defeated nations – there is a certain satisfaction when the king of Assyria joins them. His power on earth has not protected him from the judgment of God. They had to bow down to him on earth, but now he is equal to them. They are all in Sheol and have ended up there in the same way (Ezekiel 31:17). All have fallen by the sword that has been his powerful weapon, with which he has subdued other nations.

Then the LORD again addresses Pharaoh and his people directly (Ezekiel 31:18; Ezekiel 31:2). He asks him again the question He asked at the beginning. Again, the answer immediately follows. The LORD assures Pharaoh that he and his people will not fare any differently than Assyria and the nations allied with him did. They will lie down in disgrace after being slain by the sword. That is how it will end with Pharaoh and all his hordes. The Lord GOD declares so and therefore it will go that way.

Daniel 12:13

Introduction

In this chapter, Assyria is used as an example to Egypt of the fate that will befall them.

Assyria as a Warning Example

In the eleventh year, the word of the LORD comes to Ezekiel again (Ezekiel 31:1). He must again go with a message to Pharaoh and his people, the Egyptians (Ezekiel 31:2). This time he is to present them with a parable. He begins by asking who Pharaoh and his hordes of subjects are comparable to. The answer follows immediately: it is with Assyria (Ezekiel 31:3). Assyria has always competed with Egypt for world domination, a battle sometimes won by one, sometimes by the other. But Assyria, as a world power, still makes the most impression.

There follows a description of the greatness and fall of Assyria. This is done by picturing Assyria as an impressive cedar in Lebanon. This tree is a symbol of majesty and power and at the same time a picture of pride (Daniel 4:20-28). This is already reflected in its tall trunk and “its top” which is “among the clouds”. This tree is so tall that it looks like an entire forest.

Because he can absorb abundant water, he grows prosperously (Ezekiel 31:4). Because of his greatness, he gains connection with all the trees in the field. Other peoples want to serve him or are subdued by him. Thus he becomes taller than all the trees of the field, which means he becomes greater than all other peoples (Ezekiel 31:5). Just as the branches of the tree provide protection for birds and animals, so he becomes the protector of all kinds of peoples (Ezekiel 31:6; cf. Daniel 4:12; Matthew 13:32).

In his loftiness he is beautiful and in his vastness he is mighty (Ezekiel 31:7). His appearance is reminiscent of the trees in paradise (Ezekiel 31:8). The most beautiful trees in the garden of God cannot measure up to him. With his appearance, he commands the respect of everything around him in creation.

The way he is presented here also expresses his immoderate complacency. As the LORD made the trees in the garden, He also made the cedar (Ezekiel 31:9). In the same way, He also made Assyria great. In Ezekiel 31:10, the LORD briefly addresses Egypt in between, which we see by the words “you are” [“it is” is literally “you are”] (cf. Ezekiel 31:2), as a reminder that the description of Assyria is in fact about Egypt.

But there is no awareness in Assyria, as in Egypt, that he owes his greatness to the LORD. On the contrary, his heart has lifted up itself on his height and his power. What God has given him and made of him, he has in pride attributed to himself. Therefore the Lord GOD pronounces His judgment on him and will give him into the hand of “a despot of the nations”, that is, the king of Babylon, the rising world power (Ezekiel 31:11). He has repaid him his wickedness and expelled him from his supreme position. But it is the LORD Himself Who has done that.

The picture of the tree is further used to describe the fall of Assyria (Ezekiel 31:12). Assyria is cut down. There he lies, felled. His branches, by which is meant all the nations associated with him, fall with him and perish. Others move away from him, without further concern for him. There are some, however, who continue to dwell with him and sit on his branches (Ezekiel 31:13; Ezekiel 31:6). These are nations who first shared in Assyria’s prosperity and now see some profit in his fall.

The fall causes such a startling effect that all the trees are careful not to exalt themselves (Ezekiel 31:14). None of the ‘water drinkers’, that is, no tree as a picture of a people, should dare to exalt themselves. Just as a tree cannot grow by itself, but only thanks to water, so a people cannot grow by themselves, but only in dependence on God. Those who want to become great in their own strength are blind to the end that awaits earthly rulers: surrendered to death and going to the lowest places of the earth. There they are nothing more than all the other people who are already there.

That, says the Lord GOD to Egypt, is what happened to Assyria (Ezekiel 31:15). It went down to Sheol. The fall did not bring joy to the LORD, but lamentations. In the picture, the waters mourn over the fall of the cedar, He shrouds Lebanon in blackness [“mourn” is literally “be darkened”] and made all the trees of the field wilt away.

There is dismay among the nations because of the deep fall of Assyria to Sheol because they fear the same fate (Ezekiel 31:16). If Assyria with its awesome military might cannot withstand the Babylonians, who will be able to withstand them? In his fall, he drags others with him into the pit. But in the end it is not the Babylonians who have caused the nations to quake, but the quaking has come from the LORD.

On the other hand, among those who are in the realm of the dead – the dethroned princes and defeated nations – there is a certain satisfaction when the king of Assyria joins them. His power on earth has not protected him from the judgment of God. They had to bow down to him on earth, but now he is equal to them. They are all in Sheol and have ended up there in the same way (Ezekiel 31:17). All have fallen by the sword that has been his powerful weapon, with which he has subdued other nations.

Then the LORD again addresses Pharaoh and his people directly (Ezekiel 31:18; Ezekiel 31:2). He asks him again the question He asked at the beginning. Again, the answer immediately follows. The LORD assures Pharaoh that he and his people will not fare any differently than Assyria and the nations allied with him did. They will lie down in disgrace after being slain by the sword. That is how it will end with Pharaoh and all his hordes. The Lord GOD declares so and therefore it will go that way.