Ezekiel 31:5

Ezekiel 31:5 says, 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.  These next few verses compare the cedars of Lebanon to other fruit bearing trees.   The cedars were viewed as being of greater value than fruit bearing trees, even though they could bear no fruit. Ezekiel said that because Assyria was blessed with many natural resources and could produce many things because of it that she was exalted above all other nations.  We often exalt those who are very rich and even envy them even instead of exalting God and wanting to be more like Hiim.   

Verse six adds, 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.  God said that the fowl of the air were plentiful because of the trees that they could nest in and that the animals were plentiful because they could bring forth their young under the shade of the trees.  These were still all natural things that God was responsible for and had nothing to do with the cedars of Lebanon themselves.  Likewise, because of her great natural resources, Assyria had become a great nation that others felt was more important than any other nation.  No matter how great a nation may become today, we should never put it ahead of God.   

Verse seven continues. Thus was he fair in his greatness, in the length of his branches: for his root was by great waters.  God said that like the cedars of Lebanon among trees, Assyria had been a great nation that no other nation could compare to.  Assyria towered over them like a great cedar that none of the other trees could compare to.  This had led to self-pride on the part of Assyria, leading them to believe they were indestructible.  Some nations today, many who not only do not follow God’s laws but also even deny His existence, believe themselves to be indestructible, but like Assyria, when God’s judgment comes, they will fall completely. 

Verse eight states, The cedars in the garden of God could not hide him: the fir trees were not like his boughs, and the chestnut trees were not like his branches; nor any tree in the garden of God was like unto him in his beauty.  Still comparing Assyria to the trees of Lebanon, God said that Assyria was viewed as more beautiful than any other country, just as the cedars of Lebanon were viewed as more beautiful than even the trees in the Garden of Eden, which was a place of perfection.  We should never start to think that as a nation or as an individual that we are powerful of our own merit but should always acknowledge that we owe everything to God, and even if the world holds us in great esteem, we will never be of everlasting power outside of God’s will. 

Verse nine adds, I have made him fair by the multitude of his branches: so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied him.  Like the cedars of Lebanon, God said that He was the One Who had made Assyria great and that He was also the One Who had caused their fall.  Once more, we should always give God credit for everything that we are blessed with today, and if we don’t, we should be ready for a fall. 

Ezekiel 31:1

Ezekiel 31:1 says, And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the third month, in the first day of the month, that the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,  Ezekiel once more specifies the time and date that God’s word came to him, and at times we may be able to specify a time and date when God’s word came to us calling us to a specific task, but more importantly, we should always hear what God has to say to us every day.   

Verse two adds, Son of man, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, and to his multitude; Whom art thou like in thy greatness?  Ezekiel was to ask the Pharoah what he was like in greatness, or whom he would compare his greatness to.  People often like to compare their greatness or success to other past rulers or even people who are rich and powerful to see how they would rate when compared to these others.  They also often like to think that they are the greatest ever and are filled with self-pride.   

Verse three continues, 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.  God then begins to speak about Assyria and how great and powerful she had been.  This would be a good example of someone that the Pharoah might want to compare himself to.  If we rate ourselves for greatness, we should always base it on comparing ourselves to someone else who was truly great, but the ultimate comparison would be to Jesus Christ, and we will always fall very short.  Anyone who would say that they are equal to Him is a fool.  All others, no matter how great, either have fallen or will one day fall. 

Verse four concludes, The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers running round about his plants, and sent her little rivers unto all the trees of the field.   God said that natural things had made Assyria great, such as the rivers giving water to the crops.  This was due to what God had provided and not due to any particular greatness of the king of Assyria.  We need to realize that whatever success we have in the world today is always due to what God has provided, since He is the Creator of everything, so we should never be filled with self-pride if we have more than others.  I think that we should give thanks to God for our success and use what He blesses us with to help others who are less fortunate.  

Ezekiel 30:20

Ezekiel 30:20 says, And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first month, in the seventh day of the month, that the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,  Ezekiel gives another specific time when God’s word came to him.  

Verse twenty-one adds, Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and, lo, it shall not be bound up to be healed, to put a roller to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword.  God told Ezekiel that He had broken the arm, or power, of Egypt and that it wasn’t going to be bound up.  Egypt had long been a powerful nation, but now it was going to be defeated and humbled.  People or nations may gain great power while denying God, but one day, their power will be broken and will never be healed. 

Verse twenty-two continues, Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and will break his arms, the strong, and that which was broken; and I will cause the sword to fall out of his hand.  God said He was against the Pharoah of Egypt and would break his arm and the strong men that served him, and when they were broken, they would be cutoff, or defeated. If God is against us, it doesn’t matter who is for us or how strong they are.  They and we will ultimately be defeated.   

Verse twenty-three continues, And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries. God said that He and not the Babylonians was going to scatter the Egyptians throughout the land where they would be despised instead of feared.  God is the ultimate authority and power of the universe, and no matter who may be in power in the world today, if they do not put their faith in Him, one day they will face the ultimate defeat.   

Verse twenty-four states, And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand: but I will break Pharaoh's arms, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded man.  God said that He was the One Who was the source of power for Babylon being able to defeat Egypt, just as He is the source that empowers sin to always be defeated today.  Of course, Babylon's power did not last forever, and if God works through people today who are not followers of Christ to bring about victory over others who are not, it will only be a temporary victory.   

Verse twenty-five adds, But I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall stretch it out upon the land of Egypt.  God said that when He allowed Babylon to defeat Egypt that the Egyptians would then know that He is God, but it would be too late to do them any good.  As stated before, one day when Jesus Christ returns in victory everyone will know that God is God, but for too many, it will be too late to do them any good.  They will still go away to everlasting defeat.   

Verse twenty-six continues, And I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and disperse them among the countries; and they shall know that I am the Lord.  God repeated that He was the One Who was going to cause the Egyptians to be scattered and when He did, they would know that He is God.  He gave them a warning, and they didn’t listen, but after it happened, they would know the truth of what He had said.  God gives everyone a warning about what will happen if they don’t put their faith in Jesus Christ, and one day they will know the truth of what He has said, but for too many it will be too late.