February 5, 2023
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Reading along with us in Ezekiel? Here’s today’s reading:
Ezekiel 27 (NIV)
A Lament Over Tyre
1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2“Son of man, take up a lament concerning Tyre. 3 Say to Tyre, situated at the gateway to the sea, merchant of peoples on many coasts, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:.........Continue Reading
So once again we are reading of the destruction of Tyre. A nation that was prideful, greedy, and opportunistic to the point of human trafficking as slaves. This lament reminded me that God controls everything even the wind and waves obey Him! This great power of the sea is nothing against the Creator! He created it all, He controls it all! So as comfortable as they felt in their own strength it is nothing for God to take it all away. Another powerful image to remind us to stay humble and keep pride in check!
He says prayer and grief for Tyre. God talks about the fine things that his boat was made of and all the different countries he does business with. He tells Tyre that all his wealth and all his wares will go down with him to the bottom of the ocean. God says he will come to a horrible end.
Ezekiel 27
Ezekiel 27
How easy it is to get consumed with wealth, comfort and security. To think everything is fine because life is going so well. All things are clicking. All my needs and the majority of my desires are fulfilled. What I am doing to people isn’t that bad and look what position it gives me. Look how many people recognize the value of what I bring. Look at all the people that are coming around and bringing their stuff and they are trading for my stuff…and oh the parties we have rejoicing in all that we have attained. And yet it is nothing if it is not done under the auspices of the creator of the universe. How misguided things become when we don’t have His direction. How unable we are to be what we should be to the benefit of all and the harm of none without His purifying power. How prideful and selfish we are when we are pursuing our glory rather then the glory of the only one that truly deserves it. How much comes from His hand when we will just recognize it is His hand that matters most and I should submit and worship Him. And not because He needs it, but because I need it, and I am better for it, and all the world is benefitted and it is what is true.
This is what Tyre missed and they are judged for it. This is what our nation and world misses and time is running short for us to get it right.
Tyre sounds like a beautiful place with beautiful things being traded amongst the people (minus the slaves). When we find ourselves being prideful, experiencing the top of our game, in the high places of our lives, when we think all is well and nothing can bring us down, calamity can occur when we least expect it. So it is wise to always keep ourselves close to the Lord through his word and prayer, with thankfulness and fellowship with other believers. Then we are prepared to deal with the adversities and difficulties that befall us. And during these times, we know we have Jesus by our side, the Holy Spirit to guide us, Christian followers to support us, and the hope of eternal life with Him to look forward to no matter what happens.
2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Amen, Shelly!
Ezekiel 27
The prosperity of Tyre lifts up other nations…
‘When your wares went out by sea,
You satisfied many people;
You enriched the kings of the earth
With your many luxury goods and your merchandise.
34 But you are broken by the seas in the depths of the waters;
Your merchandise and the entire company will fall in your midst.
35 All the inhabitants of the isles will be astonished at you;
Their kings will be greatly afraid,
And their countenance will be troubled.
36 The merchants among the peoples will hiss at you;
You will become a horror, and be no more forever.’ ” ’ ”