Proclamation Against Sidon

In a book entitled Down to Earth, John Lawrence tells the story of a city that dared God to show Himself and paid a terrible price. It seems that the city of Messina, Sicily, was home to many wicked, irreligious people. On December 25, 1908, a newspaper published in M … More

Judgment

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 (English Standard Version)


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