Ezekiel 32:2-3

November 20, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“Son of man, raise a lamentation over Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him: ‘You consider yourself a lion of the nations, but you are like a dragon in the seas; you burst forth in your rivers, trouble the waters with your feet, and foul their rivers. Thus says the Lord God: I will throw my net over you with a host of many peoples, and they will haul you up in my dragnet.’” (Ezekiel 32:2-3)

This chapter continues the condemnation of Pharaoh and Egypt. What stood out to me today is the imagery that God uses to communicate His truths. For example, he uses a lion and a dragon in the seas. These are strong images that would clearly communicate to the recipient. Look at the powerful imagery of verse 6: “I will drench the land even to the mountains with your flowing blood, and the ravines will be full of you.” We are about 2600 years removed from that day, but still feel the bigness of that imagery.

This impressed upon me the need to think about (and improve) the way I talk about God and His works. Everything doesn’t have to be big like we have seen here, but it should be clear, as we have seen here.

Father, help me better communicate your message with others. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Ezekiel, Old Testament, Word Pictures

Ezekiel 31:2, 10-11, 18

November 19, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude: ‘Whom are you like in your greatness?'” (Ezekiel 31:2)

“Therefore, thus says the Lord God: Because it towered high and set its top among the clouds, and its heart was proud of its height, I will give it into the hand of a mighty one of the nations. He shall surely deal with it as its wickedness deserves. I have cast it out.” (Ezekiel 31: 10-11‬)

“Whom are you thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? You shall be brought down with the trees of Eden to the world below. You shall lie among the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword. “This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, declares the Lord.” (Ezekiel 31:18‬)

Continuing with His Word against Egypt, the Lord used the downfall of Assyria to make his point. Egypt was aware of the downfall of Assyria and the rise of Babylon because Egypt was there when it happened. In fact, Egypt was there in support of Assyria with the aspiration of becoming the dominant regional power. However, the joint Assyrian-Egyptian forces were defeated by the Babylonians at Carchemish in 605BC.

I can’t imagine the upset stomach Pharaoh experienced when Ezekiel said,

“Whom are you thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? You shall be brought down with the trees of Eden to the world below. You shall lie among the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword. “This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, declares the Lord.” (Ezekiel 31:18‬)

Yikes! This pharaoh was fairly new to the job and was aware of his father’s defeat at Carchemish at the hands of the Babylonians. He had the opportunity to repent of the Egyptian pride upon taking charge, but he didn’t. And, Ezekiel told him this would result in the same fate as Assyria.

Pharaohs are not the only ones who struggle with pride. I also struggle with pride. So, I take this as a warning to me as well. Obviously, Ezekiel isn’t speaking specifically of me, but there is a lesson to be learned here. And why should I think God would look differently at my pride?

Father, please help me to continue growing in humility. Amen.

Filed Under: Assyria, Babylon, devotional thoughts, Egypt, Ezekiel, Old Testament, pride, Prophecy

Ezekiel 29:8-10

November 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“Therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will bring a sword upon you, and will cut off from you man and beast, and the land of Egypt shall be a desolation and a waste. Then they will know that I am the Lord. “Because you said, ‘The Nile is mine, and I made it,’ therefore, behold, I am against you and against your streams, and I will make the land of Egypt an utter waste and desolation, from Migdol to Syene, as far as the border of Cush.” (Ezekiel 29:8-10)

Now, it is Egypt’s turn to hear her punishment. But first, why is Egypt being punished? “Because you said, ‘The Nile is mine, and I made it.’” There is pride. Then, there is PRIDE. To figuratively look to the heavens and claim that you made the Nile River is a crazy theft of God’s glory. That’s on the level of a US president saying he made the Mississippi River!

Every repercussion is not immediate. But we can be sure that when we attempt to rob God of His glory, there will be repercussions. In this case, Egypt will be laid waste by Babylon, and the people will be scattered among the nations. Now, God said this desolation will be for forty years. However, Egypt will never see the glory it once had. And that is what we see today.

Lord, help me to closely examine my heart for sprinklings of pride. Please help me have the heart and determination to humble myself in those areas. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Egypt, Ezekiel, humility, Old Testament, pride

Ezekiel 28:6

November 16, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“Therefore, thus says the Lord God: ‘Because you make your heart like the heart of a god, therefore, behold, I will bring foreigners upon you, the most ruthless of the nations; and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom and defile your splendor.’” (Ezekiel 28:6)

Many people think the Lord’s rules apply only to those who are connected to Him (I.e., believe in or follow). In other words, “If that works for you, have fun. I’m not interested.”

In this prophecy against the Prince of Tyre, we see that YHWH, the one true and living God, does not see things that way. He claims rulership over all of his creation, including all of his image bearers … regardless of whether they want his rulership or not.

Simply put, God requires all humans to have an obedient heart toward Him.

The foreigners mentioned here are the Babylonians who sacked Jerusalem. In verse 11, another figure is addressed as the King, not a prince as in vs 2. Prince clearly refers to the human ruler of Tyre. The change in title and description (11-19) seems to be referring to Satan and his ultimate defeat.

Father, please help me to have a submissive heart toward you. If I brag, let me brag on you. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Ezekiel, Old Testament, pride, Prophecy, Satan, Tyre

Ezekiel 27:35-36

November 15, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“All the inhabitants of the coastlands are appalled at you, and the hair of their kings bristles with horror; their faces are convulsed. The merchants among the peoples hiss at you; you have come to a dreadful end and shall be no more forever.” (Ezekiel 27:35-36)

The prophecies against Tyre continue in chapter 27. In this prophecy, the Lord describes the glory of Tyre:

“Your borders are in the heart of the seas; your builders made perfect your beauty.” (27‬:‭4‬)

“Persia and Lud and Put were in your army as your men of war. They hung the shield and helmet in you; they gave you splendor.” (27‬:‭10‬)

“Tarshish did business with you because of your great wealth of every kind; silver, iron, tin, and lead they exchanged for your wares.” (27‬:‭12‬)

“In your market, these traded with you in choice garments, in clothes of blue and embroidered work, and in carpets of colored material, bound with cords and made secure. The ships of Tarshish traveled for you with your merchandise. So you were filled and heavily laden in the heart of the seas.” (27‬:‭24‬-‭25‬)

Tyre was a mover and shaker in the ancient world. Wealth and power … but remember the issue raised in chapter 26: “Son of man, because Tyre said concerning Jerusalem, ‘Aha, the gate of the peoples is broken; it has swung open to me. I shall be replenished, now that she is laid waste,’ therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Behold, I am against you, O Tyre, and will bring up many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves.’” (26‬:‭2‬-‭3‬)

Rejoicing over Israel’s fall brought the wrath of the Lord on them at the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.

Now, back to chapter 27. The Lord describes the fall of Tyre:

“Your rowers have brought you out into the high seas. The east wind has wrecked you in the heart of the seas. Your riches, your wares, your merchandise, your mariners and your pilots, your caulkers, your dealers in merchandise, and all your men of war who are in you, with all your crew that is in your midst, sink into the heart of the seas on the day of your fall.” (27‬:‭26‬-‭27‬)

All the things that were evidence of Tyre’s glory were lost. The gold had rusted. The silver had tarnished. The muscle had turned to fat. The tables had turned, and the glory was gone.

“All the inhabitants of the coastlands are appalled at you, and the hair of their kings bristles with horror; their faces are convulsed. The merchants among the peoples hiss at you; you have come to a dreadful end and shall be no more forever.’” (27‬:‭35‬-‭36‬)

Please, Lord, help me to love what you love. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Ezekiel, humility, Old Testament, pride, Tyre
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