Ezekiel 28:1-10 – Seek true wisdom to advance with God

Before addressing Sidon, the message of Ezekiel 28 addressed Tyre in verses 1-19. This is the third and final message to the prince of that proud city. Prophecies often have double references, and this is one of those times that a double reference is found. On one hand, in verses 1-10, the message addresses the physical ruler of Tyre, and on the other in verses 11-19, the message condemns the fallen cherub of God. He is none other than Lucifer or Satan.

Ezekiel 28:1-10 focuses on the physical prince or ruler of Tyre. Verse 1 tells us that he was so proud that he considered himself to be a deity. His earthly wisdom caused his head to swell, for through his earthly wisdom he had amassed great wealth. What he had, caused him to think more highly of himself than he ought. He thought he was a god. But the Lord God here said that he was a mere man and not a deity. His wisdom was thought to be more than the Prophet Daniel, who had wisdom surpassed many of his age.

 

It is appropriate here to differentiate knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is often wrongly thought to be wisdom, but it is not. For wisdom is knowledge applied. We can know what a tomato is, but if we include it in our fruit salad, we have wrongly used that knowledge. However, this ruler of Tyre had applied his wisdom to gain wealth and riches and became proud.   

 

God would not tolerate arrogance. So, the ruler of Tyre would be judged. He, together with the splendour of the city would be destroyed. God was going to bring ruthless men of the nations against him and the city. And he would be slain and made to die a violent death. There is a hint that this king was circumcised. The Phoenicians practised circumcision but not for the same reason, the people of Judah had.  

 

Two lessons for us. Firstly, we need to know that earthly wisdom is different from heavenly wisdom. People can use earthly wisdom to advance their careers and increase their wealth. Think of the many godless rich in the world who can scheme to exploit others and get rich but are cruel and merciless. James 3:10 said, “This (kind of) wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.” True wisdom James said from above. It is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.  And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:17-18).   

Secondly, true wisdom has to do with how we relate to God and our fellow men. It is one thing to have wisdom to exploit others and gain wealth but quite another to use it to advance our relationship with God and others. James 1:5 tells us that we can ask God for the right kind of wisdom that will help us to advance our relationship with Him and others rightly. “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”