Ezekiel: For His Gloryഉദാഹരണം

Next, the focus is on the pride of the leader of Tyre (vv. 1–19), followed by an oracle against Sidon (vv. 20–23) and then a succinct word about the effect of the judgment against the nations on Israel (vv. 24–26). 

The king of Tyre, King Ethbaal II, claims divine status and authority or at least acts as if he is divine (vv. 1–10). The self-made wealth of his city is coupled with massive arrogance. Yet God will put the king in his place. His fate will be the same as Jerusalem, as he is cut down to size by foreigners. Indeed, this ‘god’ will be slain by the hands of vile and unclean people. Then follows a lamentation using imagery from the creation of humankind and Eden, vividly illustrating the heights from which Ethbaal has fallen (vv. 11– 19). Just as the first humans were vice-regents under God with dominion over all creation, so Ethbaal enjoyed the God-granted status of king. Ethbaal is even described as ‘a guardian cherub’ (v. 14), but this greatness only underlines his fall. The sins outlined lead to God’s judgment of the king, which is similar to the Fall in the Garden of Eden – expulsion and death. 

Next is a brief oracle against Tyre’s neighbor, Sidon (vv. 20–23). There is no clear charge against the city; perhaps it was involved in the revolt against Babylon during Zedekiah’s reign (Jer. 27:3) and perhaps its offenses included derision against Judah (cf. 25:1 – 26:6). In any case, God’s glory will be manifested through His judgment and they will recognize who the Lord is. 

The effect of the oracles against foreign nations on Israel forms the fulcrum for the whole section (chapters 25–32). The significance for the Israelites is that judgment on the nations means peace and security for Israel in their land, once their enemies have been wiped out (vv. 24–26). 

Reflection

The pride of the king of Tyre finds echoes throughout the Bible. Pride was a foremost characteristic of the builders of the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1–9), and Tyre will also be a paradigm for Herod’s arrogance and fall. The description of ‘Babylon’ in Revelation 17– 18 also draws on the fall of Tyre. Today God’s opposition to pride continues (1 Pet. 5:5).