‏ Ezekiel 28

* The sentence against the prince or king of Tyre. (1-19) The

fall of Zidon. (20-23) The restoration of Israel. (24-26)

1-19 Ethbaal, or Ithobal, was the prince or king of Tyre; and

being lifted up with excessive pride, he claimed Divine honours.

Pride is peculiarly the sin of our fallen nature. Nor can any

wisdom, except that which the Lord gives, lead to happiness in

this world or in that which is to come. The haughty prince of

Tyre thought he was able to protect his people by his own power,

and considered himself as equal to the inhabitants of heaven. If

it were possible to dwell in the garden of Eden, or even to

enter heaven, no solid happiness could be enjoyed without a

humble, holy, and spiritual mind. Especially all spiritual pride

is of the devil. Those who indulge therein must expect to

perish. 20-26. The Zidonians were borderers upon the land of Israel,

and they might have learned to glorify the Lord; but, instead of

that, they seduced Israel to the worship of their idols. War and

pestilence are God's messengers; but he will be glorified in the

restoring his people to their former safety and prosperity. God

will cure them of their sins, and ease them of their troubles.

This promise will at length fully come to pass in the heavenly

Canaan: when all the saints shall be gathered together, every

thing that offends shall be removed, all griefs and fears for

ever banished. Happy, then, is the church of God, and every

living member of it, though poor, afflicted, and despised; for

the Lord will display his truth, power, and mercy, in the

salvation and happiness of his redeemed people.