Ezekiel chapter 31 is both a History Lesson and a superb Metaphor, both created then interpreted by our Almighty God.
Egypt (the chapter’s focus) is again being warned about coming judgment.
Here’s the reasoning of the chapter in a few words: “If God destroyed the mighty Assyrian Empire … can He not do the same to the less powerful Egyptian Empire?” (This is the history lesson I mentioned.)
Babylon destroyed Assyria around 612 BC, most historians agree.
Ezekiel is writing in 587 BC, my “Chronological Bible” says.
In our chapter today God draws from several allusions to Assyria’s Fall, trying to caution Egypt concerning her soon-to-come demise. (The disintegration of these gentile nations, all of them, is based on the prevailing sin of HATING the people of God, harming Israel! Laying hands on God’s Anointed, the “Apple of His Eye!”)
And the metaphor I suggested in the first line of today’s article?
That of a great “tree,” a CEDAR from Lebanon (here a picture of Assyria) that was chopped down by the advancing Babylonian army.
Now to the chapter itself …
Here’s Assyria in all her glory: “Behold, the Assyrian was a CEDAR in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs. The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers running round about his plants, and sent out her little rivers unto all the trees of the field. Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth. All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations. Thus was he fair in his greatness, in the length of his branches: for his root was by great waters.” What picturesque writing, verses 3-7.
But God “cut down” mighty Assyria: “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou (Assyria) hast lifted up thyself in height, and he hath shot up his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height; I HAVE THEREFORE DELIVERED HIM into the hand of the mighty one of the heathen (Nebuchadnezzar); he shall surely deal with him: I HAVE DRIVEN HIM OUT for his wickedness. And strangers, the terrible of the nations (the Babylonian army), have cut him off, and have left him: upon the mountains and in all the valleys his branches are fallen, and his boughs are broken by all the rivers of the land; and all the people of the earth are gone down from his shadow, and have left him.” Verses 10-12, pure history! Deserted, betrayed, judged of God!
Then God applies this (history) lesson to Egypt: “To whom art thou (Pharaoh) thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet SHALT THOU BE BROUGHT DOWN with the trees of Eden (the very best, most excellent) unto the nether (lower) parts of the earth: thou shalt lie (on the ground, unburied) in the midst of the uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD.” Verse 18, chapter’s end.
Who are you, Egypt, compared to such greater (now fallen) powers?
Assyria … compared to (associated with) “Eden?” Likely because it is thought that the literal Garden of Eden existed somewhere in the land of Mesopotamia, in the territory which once belonged to Assyria.
And Egypt’s dead, laying among the uncircumcised, “unburied, rotting!” What a shock that would be to the Egyptian mindset, to her pompous leaders … who constructed such massive “pyramids” as burying places! No interment whatsoever!
Wow, these Old Testament Prophets preached judgment against sin!
Maybe we had best heed their message.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell