Do you ever marvel at the strength and success of those who seem invincible?
Ezekiel 31 reminds us that even the mightiest can fall, calling us to humility and reliance on God.
Key Verse: “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 lifted up in its height, 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.'” – Ezekiel 31:10-11 (NKJV)
Background Context: Ezekiel 31 contains a prophecy against Pharaoh, king of Egypt, using the metaphor of Assyria as a towering cedar tree. This chapter illustrates how Assyria, once great and powerful, was brought low due to its pride. It serves as a warning to Egypt and to all who place their trust in their own strength and grandeur.
(Summarized and continued after scripture)
Pharaoh Warned of Assyria’s Fate
1In the eleventh year, in the third month, on the first of the month, the word of the LORD came to me saying,
2“Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his hordes,
‘Whom are you like in your greatness?
3‘Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon
With beautiful branches and forest shade,
And very high,
And its top was among the clouds.
4‘The waters made it grow, the deep made it high.
With its rivers it continually extended all around its planting place,
And sent out its channels to all the trees of the field.
5‘Therefore its height was loftier than all the trees of the field
And its boughs became many and its branches long
Because of many waters as it spread them out.
6‘All the birds of the heavens nested in its boughs,
And under its branches all the beasts of the field gave birth,
And all great nations lived under its shade.
7‘So it was beautiful in its greatness, in the length of its branches;
For its roots extended to many waters.
8‘The cedars in God’s garden could not match it;
The cypresses could not compare with its boughs,
And the plane trees could not match its branches.
No tree in God’s garden could compare with it in its beauty.
9‘I made it beautiful with the multitude of its branches,
And all the trees of Eden, which were in the garden of God, were jealous of it.
10‘Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Because it is high in stature and has set its top among the clouds, and its heart is haughty in its loftiness, 11therefore I will give it into the hand of a despot of the nations; he will thoroughly deal with it. According to its wickedness I have driven it away. 12“Alien tyrants of the nations have cut it down and left it; on the mountains and in all the valleys its branches have fallen and its boughs have been broken in all the ravines of the land. And all the peoples of the earth have gone down from its shade and left it. 13“On its ruin all the birds of the heavens will dwell, and all the beasts of the field will be on its fallen branches 14so that all the trees by the waters may not be exalted in their stature, nor set their top among the clouds, nor their well-watered mighty ones stand erect in their height. For they have all been given over to death, to the earth beneath, among the sons of men, with those who go down to the pit.”
15‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “On the day when it went down to Sheol I caused lamentations; I closed the deep over it and held back its rivers. And its many waters were stopped up, and I made Lebanon mourn for it, and all the trees of the field wilted away on account of it. 16“I made the nations quake at the sound of its fall when I made it go down to Sheol with those who go down to the pit; and all the well-watered trees of Eden, the choicest and best of Lebanon, were comforted in the earth beneath. 17“They also went down with it to Sheol to those who were slain by the sword; and those who were its strength lived under its shade among the nations.
18“To which among the trees of Eden are you thus equal in glory and greatness? Yet you will be brought down with the trees of Eden to the earth beneath; you will lie in the midst of the uncircumcised, with those who were slain by the sword. So is Pharaoh and all his hordes!”’ declares the Lord GOD.”
Reflection on Ezekiel 31:
- The Mighty Cedar: The chapter begins with a description of Assyria as a magnificent cedar tree, towering above all others in the garden of God (Ezekiel 31:3-9). This imagery conveys the great power, beauty, and influence of Assyria at its height.
- Pride and Downfall: The metaphor shifts to the heart of the message: Assyria’s pride led to its downfall. Because its heart was lifted up in pride, God delivered it into the hands of the mighty one of the nations (Ezekiel 31:10-11). This reflects the biblical principle that pride precedes a fall (Proverbs 16:18).
- Judgment and Humility: The fall of Assyria serves as a stark reminder that no matter how great and powerful, all are subject to God’s judgment (Ezekiel 31:12-14). The purpose of this judgment is to humble the proud and exalt the sovereignty of God.
- A Warning to Egypt: The prophecy against Assyria is directed toward Pharaoh and Egypt, warning them that their pride and reliance on their own strength will lead to similar destruction (Ezekiel 31:15-18). This serves as a universal lesson on the dangers of pride and the importance of humility before God.
Summary Key Points:
- The Danger of Pride: Assyria’s fall illustrates that pride leads to downfall, regardless of one’s power and success.
- God’s Sovereignty: All nations and individuals are subject to God’s judgment, emphasizing His ultimate authority.
- Humility Before God: The prophecy calls us to humility, recognizing that true strength and security come from God alone.
- Universal Warning: The message to Egypt serves as a warning to all who trust in their own power and grandeur.
Application: Let us examine our hearts for any traces of pride and self-reliance. May we recognize that all power and success come from God and can be taken away in an instant. Let us cultivate humility, acknowledging God’s sovereignty over our lives and placing our trust in Him alone. By doing so, we align ourselves with His will and avoid the pitfalls of pride.
Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, we acknowledge Your sovereignty and power over all creation. Help us to recognize the dangers of pride and to cultivate humility in our hearts. Teach us to rely on You alone for our strength and security. May we live in a way that honors You, acknowledging that all we have comes from Your hand. Keep us humble and faithful, trusting in Your wisdom and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda
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