Daily Bread for Sep 8, Eze 28-30

Today's readings are Eze 28-20.

The king of Tyre is singled out. Tyre was one of the sparkling jewels on the Mediterranean coast. It had all the pleasures, luxury and vices the world had to offer. It was a stunningly beautiful city and a fabulously wealthy port. Its king was not only influential but admired as someone to look up to and aspire to. It’s not surprising that this went to his head. But, his pride will lead to a spectacular downfall. He represents those who would lead godly people down the wrong path, causing them to focus on the wrong things and helping them to become prideful.

In Eze 29 & 30, severe judgment is levied upon Egypt and its Pharaoh. Pharaoh would suffer an ignoble fate for his pride (notice a pattern here?). Nebuchadnezzar would carry away the riches of Egypt and send its people into exile, demonstrating God's sovereign authority over all nations.

Take special notice of Eze 29:30. The king of Babylon was evil and vicious to the core. Yet, God says he “worked for Me.” Even the vilest of despots serve God’s ultimate purposes, usually unknowingly. God is the one who establishes all rule and authority (Dan 2:21; 2 Chr 20:6; Rom 13:12). No one sits in authority above Him nor does anyone function apart from His divine design. All will answer to Him. All will be used by Him for His glory. This may seem difficult to reconcile for some as there have been many atrocities committed by despicable human authorities. Rather than these being senseless acts of evil God will use each of them for His own purposes, just as He will Nebuchadnezzar’s.

Here are some of the cities named in these passages, Migdol and Syene. Cush (Ethiopia) would be a bit further south:

God consistently purges pride and worldly focus from His people. He will even, from time to time, use those who have evil intent for His own purposes (Gen 50:20). God’s intention is never to punish His children but to refine them, to turn them away from trying to please themselves and toward trying to please Him. This is not a selfish act on God's behalf, but a way of revealing His glory. When His people work to display His glory, they get caught up in being vessels of God's glory. There can be no greater blessing in all creation than to be radiant vessels of the glory of God. If we can embrace this idea, then we will understand that God intends to draw us closer to Him and use us in a spectacular way.

Working for God's glory rather than our own can be our insurance that we don't end up like the King of Tyre and Pharaoh.