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URPRISINGLY, this message from
Ezekiel to Pharaoh appears to be mostly about the Assyrians. The Assyrian
empire had been great and powerful, yet God brought it down to nothing. Ezekiel
challenged the Pharaoh to consider the demise of the Assyrians, and to
recognize that if Assyria could fall, then so could Egypt. But is this section
really all about Egypt and Assyria? Even if we extrapolate an excellent
application from this chapter – like, for example, that America (similar to
those ancient nations) is not immune to deterioration, defeat and disassembly –
have we accomplished what the Spirit intended when He gave Ezekiel this
message? I think not. Egypt is not primary. Assyria is not primary. Israel is
not primary. America is not primary. God is primary!
Notice in Ezekiel 31:1 that it
was "the word of the Lord" that
came to Ezekiel. Then again in Ezekiel 31:8, Assyria was compared to "the cedars in the garden of God."
"Thus saith the Lord God..." (Ezekiel 31:10, 15 & 18). "I
have... delivered him into the hand of
the mighty one of the heathen," God said (Ezekiel 31:11). "I made the nations to shake... I cast him down
to hell... (Ezekiel 31:16). The nations and empires of the world are being
compared here to great trees, but who owns the grove? Who marks trees for
felling? God is the gardener. God is the
ruler over nations and empires (Isaiah 40:15). The same God who brought Assyria
and Egypt to their knees is still on the throne today. The USA, the UN, the
USSR (in its heyday), the EU – it doesn't matter, God can handle all comers.
What He did before, He can certainly do again.
He has already brought down many great and proud trees. We are not
invincible. We are at God's mercy. We would be wise to be humble before Him
(Psalm 33:12 & Proverbs 14:34). Our future is in His hands.
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