10/1/06. Ezk :1-18 The judgment fall of Assyria in a parable. 31:1-9 The lesson from history through the glory of Assyria and Egypt.

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1 1 2 10/1/06 Ezk The prophet Ezekiel gives four chapters to the judgment of Egypt. Ezk The four chapters contains seven oracles, each beginning with the phrase The word of the Lord came to me, saying, and all dated but one (Ezk. 30:1). Ezk. 29:1, 17; 30:1, 20; 31:1; 32:1, We pointed out that the material of the judgment of the Gentiles contains 197 versus and to Egypt are devoted 97 versus, equating 49% of the entire material. Ezk :1-18 The judgment fall of Assyria in a parable. 31:1-9 The lesson from history through the glory of Assyria and Egypt. 31:1-2 The date and address to Pharaoh. 1) This is the fifth oracle of the seven regarding Egypt. 2) The date is June 1, 586 B.C., in the eleventh year, in the third month, on the first day of the month. vs. 1a-b a)) About seven weeks after the last prophecy. Ezk. 30:20 b)) The city was under siege for eighteen months, on the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, July, on the ninth day of the month, the city was penetrated, July of 586 B. C. Jer. 39:2; 52:4-16; Ezk. 24:1; 2Kings 25:1-12; 2Chron. 36:11-12 * This message came about thirtyeight day before Jerusalem was penetrated. 3) The message is preceded by the usual prophetic formula, the word of the LORD came to me, saying. vs. 1c-d 4) The prophet was to direct himself to the Pharaoh and the people, Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his multitude. vs. 2a-b 5) The question implies their guilt of pride, Whom are you like in your greatness? 31:3-9 The Parable of a cedar, Assyria. * vs. 3-4 Its grandeur, vs. 5-6 its political power, vs. 7-9 its fame and glory. 1) The greatness of Assyria is portrayed as a great cedar. vs. 3 a) Some translations change emend the text Assyria by one consonant, interpreting it as evergreen tree or cypress. b) Some interpret chapter as completely speaking of Egypt. c) Others take vs. 1-9 as Assyria and vs to Egypt.

2 3 4 d) But I think the entire chapter is speaking about Assyria to Pharaoh. vs. 2, 18 * Lebanon was know for it s cedars and King Hiram had made a treaty with David and Solomon to provide the cedars from Lebanon for the Temple. 2) Assyria grew in strength and power and dominion, The waters made it grow; Underground waters gave it height, With their rivers running around the place where it was planted, And sent out rivulets to all the trees of the field. vs. 4 a) The Tigris and Euphrates were Assyria s great water source. b) Ezekiel has already spoken in parables and allegories, such as portraying Babylon and Egypt as eagles and the son of Josiah, Johoiachin, as a cedar. Ezk. 17:2 1)) The word riddle chiyha used and means a dark enigmatic saying or utterance. 2)) The word parable mashal is also used and means a similitude. c) What it boils down is to with Assyria, it is an allegory, as in the previous chapter, a story of symbolic language to parallel the history which is understood by the teller and hearer. * Not everything is interpreted but the major concepts. d) Trees are often used by God to represent kingdoms and empires, like Assyria and Babylon. Is. 10:34; Dan. 4 3) Assyria became the dominant power over many nations, Therefore its height was exalted above all the trees of the field; Its boughs were multiplied, And its branches became long because of the abundance of water, As it sent them out. vs. 5 * Pride was it s banner of Assyria! 4) Assyria became a source of protection, provisions and a heaven of corruption, All the birds of the heavens made their nests in its boughs; Under its branches all the beasts of the field brought forth their young; And in its shadow all great nations made their home. vs. 6 a) Birds are often symbolic of evil in the Scriptures, unless otherwise stated in the context or passage. Ezk. 17:23; Dan. 4:9 b) The Kingdom Parables taught by Jesus tells of the mustard seed that would grow unusually large, being a bush not a tree, thereby providing a place of lodging for birds, teaching the corruption of the church from within when it grew unnaturally large,

3 5 6 being a heaven for evil and corrupt men and people. Matt. 13 c) We see this today in the church, not only in America but throughout the world. 5) Assyria grew in it s abundance and glory, Thus it was beautiful in greatness and in the length of its branches, Because its roots reached to abundant waters. vs. 7 6) No kingdom could compare to it s luxury and splendor and felt superior, 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. vs. 8 7) Assyria s greatness was not due to itself but to God, 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. vs. 9 31:10-14 The chopping down of the cedar Assyria. 1) The application of pride is not to Egypt but still to Assyria. vs. 10 a) The Hebrew Scholars kiel and Delizsch tell us that the address of verse 10a, and the imperfect future in verse11a, are both to be accounted for from the fact that the fall of Asshur is related in the form in which it was denounced on the part of Yahweh upon that imperial kingdom. b) The perfect is therefore a preterite, the Lord said for His part: because Asshur has exalted itself in the pride of its greatness, I give it up c) The natural division is given by the prophetic formula. vs. 1, 10, 15 d) The sin of pride was the heart problem of Assyria. e) Assyria did not learn from her predecessors. Prov. 16:18 2) The consequences were that God used Babylon to judge Assyria in 612 B. C.. vs. 11 a) Yahweh would be the destroyer of Assyria through the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. vs. 11a-b b) Yahweh gives the reason, I have driven it out for its wickedness. vs. 11c 3) The description of it s horrific fall is stated, causing those nation under it power were set free by her fall. vs. 12 4) All the nations took advantage of Assyria s fall. vs. 13 5) The lesson was to be so nation would not exalt themselves. vs. 14a-b 6) All nation are doomed to failure and go down to the Pit. vs. 14c-d

4 7 8 31:15-18 The demise of Assyria in Sheol. 1) This marked the day of her eternal separation from God, Thus says the Lord GOD: In the day when it went down to hell. vs. 15a-b a) The word hell sheol identifies the world of departed spirits, the underworld and abode of the dead. b) The grave is used synonymous but basically describes the place of burial in the ground. 2) This marked a day of judgment that effected the entire world. vs a) This was God s doing, five times the personal pronoun I is emphasized. vs ) I caused mourning. vs. 15a 2) I covered the deep because of it. vs. 15b 3) I restrained its rivers, and the great waters were held back. vs. 15c-d 4) I caused Lebanon to mourn for it, and all the trees of the field wilted because of it. vs. 15e-f 5) I made the nations shake at the sound of its fall. vs. 16a 6) When I cast it down to hell together with those who descend into the Pit. vs. 16b b) This was a day of consolation to the company in Sheol. vs. 16c-17 1) They are identified figuratively rejoicing at Assyria s downfall. vs. 16c-f 2) They are identified literally in the underworld, and Assyria s allies regardless of their previous strength. vs. 17 3) This marked the day of reality. vs. 18 a) The descent of Assyria to Sheol is applied to Pharaoh. vs. 18a, 2c b) The abode of all departed spirit of men. 32:1-16 The lamentation over the demise of the king Egypt. 32:1-10 The past glory and downfall of Egypt. * This is the sixth oracle regarding Egypt. 32:1-2a-b The date and commission. 1) This is the sixth oracle regarding Egypt. 2) The date is 585 B.C. on 1st of March, in the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, on the first day of the month. vs. 1a-c * Nine months after the last prophecy. Ezk. 31:1 3) The prophetic formula indicates divine inspiration, The word of the LORD came to me, saying. vs. 1d-e

5 9 10 4) The command was a lamentation for Pharaoh for what will happen to him, Son of man, take up a lamentation for Pharaoh king of Egypt. vs. 2a-b a) This is a lamentation qiynah funeral dirge, like others we have noted, which were often sung. vs. 16 b) The daughters of the nations would sing the dirge. vs. 16b c) Some believe that perhaps even Ezekiel sung the prophetic dirges and other sermons. Ezk. 2:10; 19:1, 14; 26:17; 27:2; 28:12 32:2c-6 The abuse of power and abasement. 1) The message to Pharaoh was one of rebuke for it s self-centeredness, vs. 2c-h a) He saw herself as the dominant lion, And say to him: You are like a young lion among the nations. vs. 2c-d * The word nations is key. vs. 2, 9, 12, 16 b) God saw Pharaoh as a monster tan, a dragon, without doubt referring to the crocodile in the Nile, And you are like a monster in the seas. vs. 2e 1) God gave Pharaoh this identity. Ezk. 29:3 2) The English translation gives the wrong understanding, communicating that Pharaoh was both a lion and a monster. 3) But in the Hebrew the word and is an adversative and should be translated but, which forms an antithesis to the young lion. c) The Pharaoh as a crocodile, indicted by God, was for his abusive power and uncompassionate conduct, Bursting forth in your rivers, Troubling the waters with your feet, And fouling their rivers. vs. 2f-h 2) The message to Pharaoh therefore was one of judgment. vs. 3-6 * This is almost identical to Ezk. 29:3-5. a) God would use others nations to capture Egypt, Thus says the Lord GOD: I will therefore spread My net over you with a company of many people, And they will draw you up in My net. vs. 3 * It would be God s net, he would be hunted like a crocodile in the Nile. b) God would allow the other nations to ravage her, Then I will leave you on the land; I will cast you out on the open fields, And cause to settle on you all the birds of the heavens. And with you I will fill the beasts of the whole earth. vs. 4

6 11 12 c) God would be the One to expose the humiliating destruction of Egypt, I will lay your flesh on the mountains, And fill the valleys with your carcass. vs. 5 d) God would bring relief to the nations by the judgment on Egypt, I will also water the land with the flow of your blood, Even to the mountains; And the riverbeds will be full of you. vs. 6 * Six times the personal pronoun I appears again, Yahweh wanted no one o mistaken who had judged Egypt. 32:7-10 The day of darkness and fear. 1) God described the day of judgment for Egypt as reflected in nature, demonstrating their gods were impotent, the sun-god. vs. 7-8 a) The language is similar to that of the Tribulation period. vs. 7-8 b) This could be one of those short-term and long-term fulfillments regarding Egypt. Joel 2; Acts 2 2) God would in affect bring the rippling affect of fear on the other nations, being vexed and full of anxiety. vs. 9 3) God would use the judgment on Egypt to put fear in the hearts of other nations, all would fear for their lives at Egypt s fall. vs :11-16 The present glory and conquest by Babylon. 1) The instrument of judgment is clear Babylon. vs a) By the authority and decree of God, For thus says the Lord GOD: The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon you. vs. 11 b) By the sword to humble every proud person in Egypt. vs. 12 2) The ultimate results of the judgment. vs a) The animal life would be affected but it would be temporary. vs. 13 b) animals muddy them. vs. 13b-c c) The environment would be restored by God. vs. 14 * Oil is indicative of blessing and the Holy Spirit. e) This was Divine judgment. vs. 15a-b f) The purpose was that they know that He was the LORD. vs. 15c-d 3) The summary statement. vs. 16 a) The identity of the prophecy, This is the lamentation With which they shall lament her. vs. 16a b) The identity of the singers, The daughters of the nations shall lament

7 13 14 her; They shall lament for her, for Egypt, And for all her multitude. vs. 16b-e c) The identity of the authority, Says the Lord GOD. vs. 16f 32:17-32 The lamentation over the defeat and descent of Egypt to Sheol. 32:17-20 The decent of the Egyptian army to Sheol. 32:17-18b The date and commission. 1) The date is 585 B.C., on the 15th of March, The twelfth year, on the fifteenth day of the month. vs. 17a-b * This is the seventh and last oracle regarding Egypt, only fourteen days after the previous prophecy. 2) The prophetic formula appears again, that the word of the LORD came to me, saying. vs. 17c-d 3) The command is to mourn for Egypt, Son of man, wail over the multitude of Egypt. vs. 18a-b a) The word for wail nahah is not the common one used in the Old Testament for lamenting, appearing only three times. 1Sam. 7:2; Ezk. 32:18; Mic. 2:4 b) It refers to outward display of cries and mourning exhibited at funerals. 32:18c-20 The verdict of judgment. 1) Their sentence to Sheol was deserved. vs. 18 a) The word pit bore has the idea of a well, cistern or dungeon. b) It is used synonymous with the word Sheol, the place of departed spirits, the underworld, at death. 2) Their boasting would be in vain in Sheol, for the would be with all those they had though were inferior to them. vs. 19 a) This is despite all their belief in an after-life of glory, Pharaoh seeing himself as a gods. b) This was despite all the elaborate and tedious process of embalming. c) This was despite all the riches and treasures they were entombed with, for the after-life. d) The Pharaoh and Egypt was stripped of all it s pride and glory, she was on an equal standing with all. e) The use of uncircumcised is in a derogatory manner, the disreputable and lowly of social statues, the scum of the earth. 3) Their entry to Sheol would be death in battle. vs. 20

8 :21-30 The company in Sheol in the Hall of Shame. 1) The infamous soldiers and captains are on equal footing. vs. 21 a) The word for hell sheol is the underworld of departed spirits. b) The word grave is used synonymous but literally describes the burial place in the earth. 2) The warriors of Assyria are all present. vs a) All have passed from the earthly realm, Assyria is there, and all her company, With their graves all around her, All of them slain, fallen by the sword. vs. 22 1) Assyria had been used by God to judge the Northern Kingdom in 722 B.C. 2) Assyria had been conquered by Babylon in 612 B.C. b) They intimidate no one in Sheol, though they caused terror in the land of the living. vs. 23 3) Persia is there with here host. vs a) They bear their shame in Sheol for their past deeds of terror on man. vs. 24 * Persia, east of the Tigris had joined Assyria to fight against Jerusalem in Isaiah s time. Is. 22:6 b) They terrorize no one in Sheol. vs. 25 4) The remnants of the old Hittite population, sons of Japheth, Asia Minor, Turkey. vs a) They are victims like all others though they caused their terror in the land of the living. vs. 26 * Gen. 10:2 b) They are not in the place of honor as they were in the land of the living, for their terror on others. vs. 27 5) Pharaoh will likewise lie among the defeated, disgraced and destitute of living in eternal fellowship with God. vs. 28 6) The descendents of Esau, the brother of Jacob, Edom, all being on an equal plain with the previous greater world powers just mentioned, down in the pit of Sheol. vs. 29 * Ezk. 25:12 7) The princes of Sidon, the Phoenicians, with the princes of the north, All of them, and all the Sidonians, all in shame at the terror which they caused by their might; lying with uncircumcised who go down to the Pit. vs. 30 * Ezk. 28 a) Every one of these nation caused terror on others, after death they were gripped by the terror of the Lord!

9 b) There is a wordplay enhancing the contrast, Their shame and their weapons of war. 32:31-32 The summary statement. 1) Pharaoh s comfort is that he and his army are not alone in Sheol, just as they had responded at seeing him descend, all on equal level. vs. 31 2) Pharaoh s reality allowed him to see he would receive nothing better than all the others in Sheol. vs