Saturday, July 16, 2016

Ezekiel 31

The cedars in the garden of God could not hide it;
The fir trees were not like its boughs,
And the chestnut trees were not like its branches;
No tree in the garden of God was like it in beauty.
I made it beautiful with a multitude of branches,
So that all the trees of Eden envied it,
That were in the garden of God.’ vv.8-9


Read chapter 31
This picture of a great tree is a picture of the proud exaltation of Egypt.  No other nation or king compared to Assyria, none could out-top. Egypt was not in the garden of Eden but is compared to the trees in God's garden for its greatness and beauty.  God is said to have made it so great and beautiful, not just something we have to wait for heaven on earth to experience.  Trees are often symbolized as kings in scripture and would show here that all kings of the earth envied Egypt for it's greatness.  Matthew Henry's Commentary describes
The falls of others, both into sin and ruin, warn us not to be secure or high-minded. The prophet is to show an instance of one whom the king of Egypt resembled in greatness, the Assyrian, compared to a stately cedar. Those who excel others, make themselves the objects of envy; but the blessings of the heavenly paradise are not liable to such alloy. The utmost security that any creature can give, is but like the shadow of a tree, a scanty and slender protection. But let us flee to God for protection, there we shall be safe. His hand must be owned in the rising of the great men of the earth, and we must not envy them. Though worldly people may seem to have firm prosperity, yet it only seems so.
Where do you find yourself envying someone who God has exalted?

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