Proclamation Against Sidon
September 3, 2019
Commentary
Some of the phrases in this passage describing the human king of Tyre seem to describe Satan. It is clear that at times Ezekiel describes this king in terms that could not apply to a mere man. The king had been to the Garden of Eden (v. 13), had been “the appointed cherub” (v. 14a), and had access to the holy mountain (v. 14b), but was driven from there (vv. 16-17). Ezekiel therefore, appears to have been condemning not only the king of Tyre, but Satan, who had motivated the king to sin.
Like Tyre, Sidon was another famous seaport, located about 25 miles north of Tyre (vv. 21-22). Sidon’s economy was linked to Tyre, so when Tyre fell to Nebuchadnezzar, Sidon was doomed to follow. Sidon is singled out for judgment because of being a prickling brier, or a grieving thorn, to Israel. Her idolatry both vexed and then ensnared Israel with the worship of Baal and Ashtaroth. Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against you, O Sidon; I will be glorified in your midst; And they shall know that I am the LORD, When I execute judgments in her and am hallowed in her. or I will send pestilence upon her, And blood in her streets; The wounded shall be judged in her midst By the sword against her on every side; Then they shall know that I am the LORD.”
The promise that God’s people will live in complete safety in not yet fulfilled (vv. 24-26). They were allowed to return from exile under Zerubbabel, and as a political nation have been restored today. However this promise will have its ultimate fulfillment when Christ sets up His eternal kingdom.
Application
Sidon was judged because of being like a pricking brier or a grieving thorn to Israel. Israel is definitely God’s favored people and I must always keep this in mind when I have any dealings with them or even when I make reference to them.
Ezekiel 28:11– 26 (NET)
11 The Lord’s message came to me: 12 “Son of man, sing a lament for the king of Tyre, and say to him, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “‘You were the sealer of perfection, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.
13 You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every precious stone was your covering, the ruby, topaz, and emerald, the chrysolite, onyx, and jasper, the sapphire, turquoise, and beryl; your settings and mounts were made of gold. On the day you were created they were prepared.
14 I placed you there with an anointed guardian cherub; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked about amidst fiery stones.
15 You were blameless in your behavior from the day you were created, until sin was discovered in you.
16 In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned; so I defiled you and banished you from the mountain of God— the guardian cherub expelled you from the midst of the stones of fire.
17 Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom on account of your splendor. I threw you down to the ground; I placed you before kings, that they might see you.
18 By the multitude of your iniquities, through the sinfulness of your trade, you desecrated your sanctuaries. So I drew fire out from within you; it consumed you, and I turned you to ashes on the earth before the eyes of all who saw you.
19 All who know you among the peoples are shocked at you; you have become terrified and will be no more.’”
20 The Lord’s message came to me: 21 “Son of man, turn toward Sidon and prophesy against it. 22 Say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “‘Look, I am against you, Sidon, and I will magnify myself in your midst. Then they will know that I am the Lord when I execute judgments on her and reveal my sovereign power in her.
23 I will send a plague into the city and bloodshed into its streets; the slain will fall within it, by the sword that attacks it from every side. Then they will know that I am the Lord.
24 “‘No longer will Israel suffer from the sharp briers or painful thorns of all who surround and scorn them. Then they will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.
25 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: When I regather the house of Israel from the peoples where they are dispersed, I will reveal my sovereign power over them in the sight of the nations, and they will live in their land that I gave to my servant Jacob. 26 They will live securely in it; they will build houses and plant vineyards. They will live securely when I execute my judgments on all those who scorn them and surround them. Then they will know that I am the Lord their God.’”