Read Ezekiel 25
Highlights:
Six of Judah's enemies are warned of their destruction by the Lord. Can you name them and tell what they did against God (Ezek. 25:2,8,12,15; 26:2; 27:2; 28:2, 21,24)?
Tyre was the greatest international trading center of the world. She gained control of world commerce when Jerusalem, her greatest competitor, was destroyed. Because of their rejoicing over the fall of the Lord's people, Ezekiel prophesied that Tyre would be like the top of a rock . . . thou shalt be built no more: for I the Lord have spoken it, saith the Lord God. . . . though thou be sought for, yet shalt thou never be found again, saith the Lord God (Ezek. 26:14-21).
Tyre seemed like the most secure place on earth; but Nebuchadnezzar battled against this mighty city and besieged its fortress for thirteen years until it was defeated.
After the experience with Nebuchadnezzar, the rulers of Tyre decided they would move to the island a half mile from the mainland. In her new environment, surrounded by water that protected her great fleet of Phoenician ships, Tyre again appeared secure above all places on earth. But, over two centuries later, Alexander the Great besieged Tyre and tore down the walls, towers, and other buildings of the old Tyre on the mainland. He used them to build a causeway in the water — a rock road directly to the island — literally fulfilling Ezekiel's amazing prophecy: They shall lay thy stones and thy timber and thy dust in the midst of the water (26:12). The ancient island city of Tyre has never been rebuilt to this day. It is only a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea (26:5).
Every hour of every day the ancient Tyre is a testimony that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. If there is no God, why haven't the atheists built on this ancient site as a monument to their efforts to disprove the Bible and the very existence of God? There are no man-made laws that say they can't do it, but the One who inspired Ezekiel to make that prophecy said it shall never be rebuilt.
The sinful, gloating attitude of Tyre over Jerusalem's fall (26:2) should be a warning to those who rejoice when their competition goes bankrupt. “Christians” who resent the success of their “rivals” who conduct the choir or play the piano in the church or their competition in the marketplace should also take warning. We have much to repent of. Our gossip does more damage than we can imagine when we rejoice over the so-called “failures” of other Christians.
Thy Word is true from the beginning: and every one of Thy righteous Judgments endureth for ever (Ps. 119:160).
Thought for Today:
Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled (Matt. 5:18).
Christ Revealed:
As the One who will rule over the destruction of Satan at the end of time: Therefore will I bring forth a fire . . . it shall devour thee (Ezek. 28:18-19). As Jesus reigns following the Great White Throne Judgment, the devil . . . was cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:1-14).
Word Studies:
25:5 couchingplace resting place; 26:9 engines of war battering rams; 26:17 haunt it dwell there.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Thursday Morning Prayer • Staff: Clarence Rathbone • Government Official: Sen. Bernard Sanders (VT) • Country: United Arab Emirates (2 million) on the eastern Arabian Peninsula • Major languages: Arabic and Farsi • Pressure and hostility against Christians are increasing • 95% Muslim; 4% Christian • Prayer Suggestion: Rejoice that He has promised to sustain us at all times (Ps. 55:22).
Optional Reading:
Memory Verse for the Week:
John 1:10
