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.
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