READING: Ezekiel 26:15-28:26, 2 Kings 25:3-7, Jeremiah 52:6-11, Jeremiah 39:2-10
I have studied spiritual warfare for a number of years now, and I recognize that scholars debate whether Ezekiel 28:1-19—the fall of the king of Tyre—refers to the fall of Satan. I contend that verses 11-19 most clearly do, and surely the text speaks at least about an evil power behind the life and reign of the king. On the other hand, I don’t want to miss the portrayal of powerful human pride in this text.
Some years ago, I read an author who stated that the text must refer to Satan, for no human being would ever say something like, “I am a god; I sit in the seat of gods in the heart of the sea” (Ezek 28:2). I accepted that thinking at the time—until I later came face-to-face with the depth of my own pride. I don’t think I would ever say, “I am a god,” but sometimes I live as if I’m the final authority in my life. And, that’s putting myself in the place of God.
We all do it. We live for self, ignoring the Creator. We set our own rules. We ignore (or even deny) the reality of judgment. Sometimes we even read the Word, but then interpret it according to our desires rather than God’s standards. We might indeed be only “a man and not God” (Ezek 28:2), but we too often think and act otherwise.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: In what area of your life are you most acting like you are a god?
DAILY PRAYER: “Father, help me to see—and then not deny—my pride.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Jeremiah 39:11-18, Jeremiah 40:1-6, 2 Kings 25:8-21, Jeremiah 52:12-27, 2 Chronicles 36:15-21, Lamentations 1:1-22
