OVERVIEW:
God’s purging of Jerusalem (chapter 24); God’s judgment against Gentile nations (chapter 25); God’s judgment against Tyre (chapters 26–27).
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
Chapter 24 refers to Jerusalem as a “bloody city”. Twice Ezekiel speaks the word of warning from the Lord, saying, “Woe to the bloody city…” (24:6, 9) Ezekiel is instructed to tell a parable about a bloody stew that represents Jerusalem. Numerous times in the word of God the shedding of “innocent blood” is mentioned as a cause for God’s vengeance. (Deuteronomy 19:10; 1st Samuel 19:5; 1st Kings 2:31) The shedding of blood in the Old Testament looked forward to “THE innocent blood” that would one day be shed at Calvary. (Matthew 27:4) It is true that the “innocent blood” of our Lord Jesus Christ redeemed us from sin, but it is also true that those who do not accept God’s gift of grace will be held accountable for the death of God’s only beloved Son, suffering the judgment of God’s righteous wrath. God hates the shedding of innocent blood. Oh, how greatly God loves us to have allowed the innocent blood of His beloved Son to be shed for our sin!
Ezekiel is also instructed not to mourn when his wife dies. (24:15–18) In this, God intended that Ezekiel picture the fact that there will be no time to mourn when God’s judgment comes on Jerusalem. Once again, this foreshadows the coming “Day of the Lord” when judgment will be swift and calamitous. However, notice that even in God’s judgment there is mercy. In 24:25–27, Ezekiel speaks specifically to certain Jews who will escape the judgment of Jerusalem and come to Babylon. Historically, this is fulfilled in Ezekiel 33:21, but prophetically, points to those who will be saved out of the judgment of the Tribulation Period.
In chapter 25, Ezekiel prophesies against Gentile nations. These nations are judged because they rejoiced when Israel was chastened by God (25:3, 6, 8) and because they had taken vengeance on Israel when she was weak. (25:12,15) The doctrinal principle is clear: God does not take kindly to people rejoicing when Israel is chastened! Much of the world rejoices when bad news is broadcasted concerning Israel. There are many others who look forward to the day Israel will suffer during the tribulation. Those nations who bring judgment against Israel are a pawn in the hand of God to execute His sovereign plan. However, after God has used them He will bring His judgment upon them! On a more devotional note, the lesson is clear: we should never rejoice when we see God’s chastening on others. (Proverbs 24:17)
Chapters 26 and 27 begin a three-chapter judgment against Tyre. The eleventh year in 26:1 refers to the eleventh year of Jehoiachin’s reign. In 586 BC, the eleventh year of Jehoiachin’s captivity, on the tenth day of the month, Jerusalem was captured. It is Nebuchadrezzar that God will use to bring judgment on Tyre. It is interesting to note in 26:7, that Nebuchadrezzar is called “a king of kings” making him a type of the antichrist. Just as Nebuchadrezzar ruled the kings of the world, the coming antichrist will also stand in authority, ruling the world until the true King of kings arrives, making quick work of him! (Genesis 3:16; Revelation 20:1–3)
Tyre, an ancient city of the Phoenicians, appears for the first time in the Bible in the Old Testament in Joshua 19:29. In Old Testament times, Tyre was a great commercial city. During the reign of David and Solomon, Tyre exercised great influence on the commercial, political, and even religious life of Israel. Hiram, king of Tyre, was a devoted friend of David (2nd Samuel 5:11) who helped both David and Solomon in their building projects. (1st Kings 5:1–12; 1st Chronicles 14:1; 2nd Chronicles 2:3, 11) Though Tyre and Israel were friendly in the days of David and Solomon, they later drifted apart. The Tyrians then later sold Jews as slaves to the Greeks and to the Edomites. (Joel 3:4–8; Amos 1:9–10) This entire chapter is a lamentation describing Tyre as a very glorious and great trade ship destroyed by the high seas.
The prophecies set forth in chapters 26 through 28 were fulfilled literally, and with unmistakable clarity (Isaiah 23; Jeremiah 47:4), reminding us that everything in the word of God will come to pass, exactly as God has detailed it. Let us receive that reminder today as a blessed promise and a stern warning!
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
As the One who shall “set glory in the land of the living” during the Millennium — Ezekiel 26:20