Egypt the Great Tree, Cut Down

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 31:1-18

 

Ezekiel 31:10-11

Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Because you have increased in height, and it set its top among the thick boughs, and its heart was ^[d]lifted up in its height, ¹¹ therefore I will deliver it into the hand of the mighty one of the nations, and he shall surely deal with it; I have driven it out for its wickedness.

(NKJV)

 

The text of the Bible contains many historical accounts whose accuracy gives credibility to scripture, especially when it foretells future events that transpired just as the prophets foretold. Such is the case with the writings of Ezekiel concerning Egypt. In this text, the word from the Lord given to Ezekiel compares the fall of Egypt to the fall of a great cedar tree in Lebanon. The cedars of Lebanon were used in the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem for their strength, alluding to the strength of Egypt but pride and wickedness brought down this great kingdom. Since history is there to teach us a lesson, let this be a lesson to avoid a prideful heart.

 

Ezekiel receives a word from the Lord with the specific time of his receiving it documented in Scripture (Ezekiel 31:1). The word is directed at Pharaoh and asks him who compares with him in greatness (Ezekiel 31:2). The Lord then gives Pharaoh the example of Assyria a great cedar in Lebanon, so great that it fed all the other trees of the field (Ezekiel 31:3-4). So great was this tree that the birds nested in its long branches and animals gave birth under its shade (Ezekiel 31:5-6). This beautiful tree surpassed the beauty of all the trees in the garden of Eden (Ezekiel 31:7-9).

 

However, this great tree became prideful because of its greatness with God delivering it up to destruction at the hand of the mighty one of the nations for its wickedness (Ezekiel 31:10-11). The once mighty cedar of Lebanon has fallen with all the people who once found shelter under its shadow, fleeing (Ezekiel 31:12). All the birds that once nested there and the animals that once found shelter under its branches will come to the branches that have fallen (Ezekiel 31:13). The fall of this great tree is a warning to future trees that might become prideful for their greatness (Ezekiel 31:14).

 

The Lord declares that when the great tree representing Egypt went down to hell, He caused mourning with Lebanon even mourning its fall and all the trees, or nations, wilting (Ezekiel 31:15). The nations shook at Egypt’s fall with those falling with it finding comfort in the depths of the earth (Ezekiel 31:16-17). The Lord then directly addresses Pharaoh asking him which of the great trees of Eden he would compare his greatness when he lies in the depths of the earth with the uncircumcised (Ezekiel 31:18).

 

A word for Pharaoh comparing the fall of Egypt to the fall of a great cedar of Lebanon due to its prideful heart. Instead of giving credit to the creator God, the cedar tree of Egypt becomes prideful with God vowing to drive Pharaoh and the people out of their land for their wickedness (Ezekiel 31:11). This passage is a visual illustration of what is going to happen to Egypt that Ezekiel foretold in Ezekiel 30. The people of Israel and Egypt knew of the strength of the cedars of Lebanon for they were used in the construction of the Temple (1 Kings 5:5-6). However, with this illustration, God is telling Egypt and Israel that even the tall and strong who are like the cedars of Lebanon will fall under the weight of pride and wickedness (Proverbs 16:18). We must guard our hearts against pride.

 

Great nations, organizations, and even Churches will fall when they have prideful hearts. This is because pride that glorifies self, replaces God in one’s life. However, we must not mistake boasting in what the Lord has done for us and through us as pride for even the Apostle Paul boasted about what God had done. For example, Paul boasted about Christ in him and his weaknesses which caused him to rely on Christ more (2 Corinthians 11:10; 12:9). The difference is that Paul boasted in Christ, giving glory to God whereas Pharaoh boasted in himself and his army. Believers, and especially those in leadership in the Church must guard their hearts against pride so all that the ministry does brings glory to God and not self or some leader in the ministry.

 

If you are reading this and have not prayed for the forgiveness of your sins making Jesus the Lord of your life, or have drifted away from your relationship with Christ, I invite you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.

The Fourfold Witness

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: John 5:31-47

 

John 5:39-40

You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. ⁴⁰ But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

(NKJV)

 

This text records Jesus’ response to the persecution of a group of Jews due to Jesus healing a lame man on the Sabbath (John 5:16). Deuteronomy 19:15 sets the standard of the insufficiency of one witness in accusing one of some iniquity so Jesus presents a fourfold witness. These legalistic Jews believe they are persecuting a sinner, but they find themselves persecuting God.

 

Jesus begins by letting His accusers know He is aware that His witness of Himself is not sufficient (John 5:31). Jesus then lets them know there is another man bearing witness of Him, John the Baptist (John 5:32). Jesus then reminds them that they inquired of John who bore witness of the truth but Jesus also tells them He does not receive the testimony of a man (John 5:33-34). John was a burning and shining lamp the Jews were willing to believe for a while (John 5:35).

 

However, there are even greater witnesses of who Jesus was. The first of these is His works (John 5:36). Then there was the testimony of God the Father, declaring that Jesus was His Son (John 5:37; Matthew 3:16-17). Finally, there is the testimony in the Scriptures that speak of Jesus but these legalistic Jews have hardened hearts and refuse to listen (John 5:38-40).

 

Jesus does not receive honor from men but knows these Jews do not have the love of God in them (John 5:41-42). Ironically, these Jews do not receive Jesus despite the evidence for who He is and instead receive those bearing witness of themselves which is not true (Deuteronomy 19:15; John 5:43). Jesus questions how they can receive honor from each other and reject honor that comes from the only God (John 5:44). It is not Jesus who will accuse these Jews to the Father but Moses in whom they trust (John 5:45). Jesus then accuses them of not believing Moses in whom they trust because Moses wrote of Jesus (Deuteronomy 18:15-19; John 5:46). However, if they do not believe the teachings of Moses, How can Jesus expect them to believe His words (John 5:47).

 

Jesus provides a fourfold witness of His identity to fulfill the legal requirement of Deuteronomy 19:15 requiring the testimony of two or three witnesses to establish a matter. Jesus’ fourfold witness includes,

 

1. The testimony of John the Baptist (John 1:29) – John the Baptist was the first to call out Jesus as the lamb of God who came to save the world, but Jesus does not seek the testimony of men (John 5:33-34).
2. The works of the Father Jesus was sent to do (John 5:36) – The miracles Jesus performed also bore witness of who He was for they were unlike anything done previously. However, even John the Baptist had his doubts and sent messengers to Jesus from prison with Jesus citing the works he did as a witness to who He was (Matthew 11:1-5).
3. The Father Himself (Matthew 3:16-17) – If these two witnesses did not convince people, a thundering voice from heaven declaring Jesus as the Son of God should.
4. The Scriptures (John 5:39) – As written and documented proof of who He was, Jesus encourages these Jews to search the scriptures because if they do, they will discover the scriptures testify about Him.

 

Jesus presents a solid case to the Jews persecuting Him with credible witnesses, a track record of good works, and a documented written history as recorded in the words of the prophets. However, even a solid fourfold witness does not persuade these Jews with them vowing to kill him (John 5:16).

 

Scripture warns us to avoid false teaching or as Peter states it, destructive heresies (2 Peter 2:1-3). To test a doctrine or teaching we must,

 

• Does the teaching align with the mission of the Church to spread the Gospel and make disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20) – Spreading the Gospel message and making Disciples is the mission of the Church and all teaching should have as its purpose, advancing the mission.
• Does the teaching glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31) – Teaching from the pulpit in the Church must have as its purpose the glorification of God but all too often it glorifies self and is not based on sound doctrine but the satisfaction of the itching ears of the congregation (2 Timothy 4:1-5).
• Is the teaching according to Scripture (Acts 17:10-11) – After he was run out of Thessalonica, Paul and those with him found themselves in Berea (Acts 17:5-9). In Berea, they encounter a group of believers who searched the scriptures checking to determine if what they were hearing was true (Acts 17:10-11). When testing a doctrine we must follow the example of the Bereans and search scripture to test its truth.

 

Just like in the early Church, false teaching is present today. However, in the information age, this false teaching can spread rapidly, and why we as believers must be even more diligent in testing all that we hear. The good news is that while false teaching can spread rapidly in the information age, the good news of the Gospel can also spread rapidly. The Church must repent of its adoption of false teaching and with the same diligence begin spreading the good news of the Gospel.

 

I want to invite anyone reading this post who has not prayed for salvation from their sins and to make Jesus the Lord of their life through the confession of their belief in Jesus as their Savior to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May the Lord challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.