Ezekiel 31–33
Common Theme
God warns the nations through vivid imagery and calls His people and His prophet to accountability. These chapters show God’s just judgment on prideful powers, the personal responsibility of individuals to respond to His warnings, and the prophet’s duty to faithfully proclaim the truth.
Questions
- What warnings from God have I heard and ignored, assuming I still have time?
- Am I living as though I bear personal responsibility for my response to God’s Word?
God Shot
God is a just and watchful judge who does not delight in the death of the wicked but longs for their repentance. He is the God who warns, who calls, and who holds both the messenger and the hearer accountable because He values every soul.
Deeper✝
Ezekiel 31
In the eleventh year, the LORD spoke to the prophet, instructing him to address Pharaoh, king of Egypt. The text compares Pharaoh’s greatness to that of Assyria, depicted as a majestic cedar in Lebanon, nourished by abundant waters and providing shelter to birds and beasts. However, due to its pride and towering height, the LORD declares that it will be brought low by a mighty nation, resulting in its destruction. The cedar’s fallen branches will leave the land desolate, and all creatures that once thrived under its shade will be left without refuge. The passage emphasizes that no tree will reach such heights again, as they are destined for death. Ultimately, Pharaoh and his multitude will share the same fate as the fallen cedar, lying among the slain in the realm of the dead.
Ezekiel 32
In the twelfth year, the Lord instructs the prophet to lament over Pharaoh and Egypt, comparing Pharaoh to a dragon in the seas rather than a lion. The Lord declares that He will ensnare Pharaoh with many peoples, leading to his downfall. The prophecy foretells the destruction of Egypt, with the land drenched in blood and filled with carcasses. The heavens will darken, and the hearts of many nations will tremble at Egypt’s demise. The sword of Babylon will bring ruin to Egypt, destroying its pride and multitude. The land will become desolate, and the waters will run clear once the inhabitants are struck down, revealing the Lord’s sovereignty.
The lamentation will be sung by the daughters of nations, mourning Egypt’s fate. The Lord commands the prophet to wail over Egypt’s multitude, sending them to the pit, where they will lie with the uncircumcised. The text lists other nations, such as Assyria and Elam, who also face destruction and shame in the afterlife. Pharaoh and his army will join them, comforted by the sight of others who have fallen. The prophecy emphasizes the terror spread by Pharaoh in the land of the living, ultimately leading to his demise among the slain, as declared by the Lord God.
Ezekiel 33
In Ezekiel 33, the Lord instructs Ezekiel to act as a watchman for Israel, warning the people of impending danger. If a watchman sees danger and fails to warn the people, he is held accountable for their deaths. Conversely, if he warns them and they ignore the warning, their blood is on their own heads. The Lord expresses His desire for the wicked to turn from their ways and live, emphasizing that both the righteous and the wicked are judged based on their actions. The people of Israel lament their sins, questioning how they can live, but the Lord reassures them that He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. He calls them to repentance, stating that if the wicked turn from their sins, they will live. The Lord rebukes the people for claiming His ways are unjust, asserting that each will be judged according to their actions. Following a report of Jerusalem’s destruction, the Lord reveals that the inhabitants of Israel are misguided, believing they can possess the land despite their sins. He warns that those who commit abominations will face dire consequences. Despite the people’s interest in Ezekiel’s words, they do not act on them, likening him to a performer whose message is not heeded. Ultimately, they will recognize the truth of his prophecies when they come to pass.
✝Deeper excerpt from NIV Application Commentary, One-Volume Edition.