Ezekiel 31:1–32:32
As we continue our series in the Book of Ezekiel we come to a place where God pulls back the curtain a little and allows us to see what takes place after death and before final judgment. Before we start let’s pray and ask God to help us see the mistakes that these rulers and nations made, in order to help us to avoid making the same mistakes.
In the eleventh year, in the third month, on the first of the month, the word of the LORD came to me. “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his hordes, ‘Who can be compared with you in majesty?" – Ezekiel 31:1-2
Note: This prophecy is sent not only to Pharaoh, but to his hordes as well. All of their pride is going to be dealt with here.
We note that this is about two months after the last dated prophecy (in Ezekiel chapter 30 verse 20-25) that Tim preached on last week. : Remember how God told Ezekiel that He had broken the arm of Pharaoh and that He would break his other arm and make the sword fall from his hand.
In Chapter 31 Verses 2-18: In answer to the “Who can be compared with you in majesty?” question, Ezekiel fills this chapter with metaphors and analogies comparing Egypt to a huge tree that dominates a forest to a king and Kingdom that dominates the world. The prophet Daniel wrote of a similar analogy in Dan. 4:1-36 when he interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of an enormous tree who’s top touched the sky and was visible to the ends of the earth that applied to the king and his kingdom of Babylon. But today’s message is about Pharaoh King of Egypt and his hordes. Here Ezekiel reasons that just as a strong tree like Assyria (verse 3) fell, so will Egypt fall. If the Egyptians tend to be proud and feel invincible, let them remember how proud and powerful Assyria had been and how they had fallen already.
"Consider Assyria, once a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches overshadowing the forest; it towered on high, its top above the thick foliage." – Ezekiel 31:3
Assyria is spoken of as a cedar of Lebanon. The cedar is spoken of as a powerful, magnificent tree. This could be calling Assyria a big powerful empire. This was a very tall tree. The Cedar of Lebanon was a beautiful full tree.
The trees were as high as 80 feet and were an example of supreme power and domination, particularly the great cedars which grew in the mountains north of Israel.
The history of the Assyrian empire had been one of greatness. The Assyrian empire had risen very high, but like all others, it was not able to stand against the judgment of God.
" The waters nourished it, deep springs made it grow tall; their streams flowed all around its base and sent their channels to all the trees of the field." – Ezekiel 31:4
For a tree to grow big and strong, it must be fed with water regularly. This was the case here. The cedar tree grew close to the river bank. The other trees, away from the large body of water grew, but not as large as this tree with abundant water.
"So it towered higher than all the trees of the field; its boughs increased and its branches grew long, spreading because of abundant waters." – Ezekiel 31:5
This is speaking of Assyria and all its worldly strength and power rising above the smaller nations that surrounded it.
"All the birds of the air nested in its boughs, all the beasts of the field gave birth under its branches; all the great nations lived in its shade." – Ezekiel 31:6
In the sight of the world, Assyria was a very great nation. All of the countries around her wanted her protection. It was God who had allowed Assyria to become a great nation for His purposes.
The tree will dry up and die, if the source of growth is cut off. God (the river of life), was the source of its growth. God had made it great. Assyria was a great nation that many could benefit from. That nation should have stayed humble, and realized its strength came from God.
"It was majestic in beauty, with its spreading boughs, for its roots went down to abundant waters. " – Ezekiel 31:7
The deeper the root of the tree goes, the stronger the tree is. The root will go deep and seek water. That is what is intended here. The root feeds the tree, and makes it grow tall and strong. The soul of man needs nourishment, like this tree. The water symbolizes the Word of God. It is the Word of God that makes us strong.
"The cedars in the garden of God could not rival it, nor could the pine trees equal its boughs, nor could the plane trees compare with its branches, no tree in the garden of God could match its beauty.” – Ezekiel 31:8
Since Assyria was in the area of the Garden of Eden, Ezekiel used the ultimate of gardens as a point of relative reference by which to describe a tree-like Assyria.
Remember that Jesus is the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden. The Tree of Life was in the center of the garden. The lesser trees were out in the garden. Adam and Eve could have come to the center of the garden, and eaten of the Tree which brought life eternal. Instead they were like many church goers today, who just nibble around the edge of Christianity, and never go to the Tree of Life. Adam and Eve never partook of life eternal. They preferred worldly gifts, rather than Life, which God gives. The sad thing is, they partook of the tree which appealed to their eyes.
“I made it beautiful with abundant branches, the envy of all the trees of Eden in the garden of God." – Ezekiel 31:9
The tree, which was so beautiful to the eye, was the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Eve looked, and lusted, and then partook of this beautiful tree, and gave of its fruit to Adam. They fell, just as this beautiful tree (Assyria) falls many years later. Note: Beauty to the eye does not bring happiness, or peace.
"Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because it towered on high, lifting its top above the thick foliage, and because it was proud of its height,” – Ezekiel 31:10
The Assyrians felt that they had lifted themselves up by their own achievements. They had forgotten where their root was. They forgot their strength came from God. And so God says:
"I handed it over to the ruler of the nations, for him to deal with according to its wickedness. I cast it aside,” – Ezekiel 31:11
Just as Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden, God uses Nebuchadnezzar to attack Assyria and cast them aside. It is truly a judgment of God upon them. The Assyrians fell to Babylon. They had been great, but their fall came suddenly.
"and the most ruthless of foreign nations cut it down and left it. Its boughs fell on the mountains and in all the valleys; its branches lay broken in all the ravines of the land. All the nations of the earth came out from under its shade and left it." – Ezekiel 31:12
The people of the earth (which are called branches here), no more looked to Assyria. This had been a vast empire that controlled many nations. Now, they are fallen. They do not control anyone anymore. Note: Based on recent events in the news our nation may be experiencing the same type of judgment.
"All the birds of the air settled on the fallen tree, and all the beasts of the field were among its branches." – Ezekiel 31:13
The ruin is so great; there will no longer be an Assyrian empire. The wild animals hover over the dead bodies.
The scene shifts from earth and the Garden of God to the pit or grave, as God again refers to the destruction of Assyria and all her allies (“all the trees,” “all that drink water”).
"Therefore no other trees by the waters are ever to tower proudly on high, lifting their tops above the thick foliage. No other trees so well-watered are ever to reach such a height; they are all destined for death, for the earth below, among mortal men, with those who go down to the pit.” – Ezekiel 31:14
Assyria, and all of her allies, are brought down to death. Now here "the pit" refers to Sheol, or Hades. Not only have their bodies died, but their souls are also confined to Sheol.
"This is what the Sovereign LORD says: On the day it was brought down to the grave I covered the deep springs with mourning for it; I held back its streams, and its abundant waters were restrained. Because of it I clothed Lebanon with gloom, and all the trees of the field withered away.” – Ezekiel 13:15
God clothing Lebanon with gloom here could refer to one or more forest fires to cause the trees of Lebanon to be burned and the earth to look black. It appeared that all the rivers dried up, causing all the trees in the field wither and die. This is similar to the global forest fires today.
“I made the nations tremble at the sound of its fall when I brought it down to the grave with those who go down to the pit. Then all the trees of Eden, the choicest and best of Lebanon, all the trees that were well-watered, were consoled in the earth below.” – Ezekiel 31:16
We see they were all cast into Sheol. The last part of this verse, seems to indicate that those that were already in Sheol, were somewhat comforted or consoled by knowing they were not the only ones to fall. There is a Latin phrase that states “solamen miseris socios habuisse doloris”. Its English translation is “misery loves company”. This Phrase was used in a play from the 16th century titled Dr. Faustus written by Christopher Marlowe. The play is about a man named Faustus who was prepared to give up his soul by signing a pact with the Satan in exchange for 24 years of living with his desires being fulfilled. The Character Faustus says to one of Satan’s demons named Mephistophilis “...tell me what good will my soul do thy lord.” Mephistophilis replies “Enlarge his kingdom” Faustus then asks, “Is that the reason why he tempts us thus?” Mephistophilis replies in Latin “Solamen miseris socios habuisse doloris.” “Misery loves company.” Even though Satan may love company these nations that went down to the pit had no love for each other, but they were consoled a bit by the fact that they were not the only ones to be cast into the pit.
"Those who lived in its shade, its allies among the nations, had also gone down to the grave with it, joining those killed by the sword.” – Ezekiel 31:17
Not only did Assyria fall to this terrible fate, but all of its allies, as well. This is the fate of all who put their trust in the world and the power that the world has. Those who do not trust in the LORD, can expect the same fate as these Assyrians and their allies.
“‘Which of the trees of Eden can be compared with you in splendor and majesty? Yet you, too, will be brought down with the trees of Eden to the earth below; you will lie among the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword. “‘This is Pharaoh and all his hordes, declares the Sovereign LORD.’” – Ezekiel 31:18
In this fifth oracle Egypt is compared with Assyria, its former ally. Assyria is said to have been a cedar in Lebanon (verse 3). However, God cut Assyria off (verse 12), this is a reference to Assyria’s destruction at the hands of Nabopolassar, Nebuchadnezzar’s father (in 612 B.C.). The implication for Egypt was clear: like Assyria, They too were about to be overthrown by the Babylonians. Egypt, like all the other great nations, including Assyria, will soon be felled by God.
This is saying that Pharaoh and all of Pharaoh’s hordes would be in Sheol with these Assyrians and their allies.
Now Ezekiel was a Hebrew, and he connected the fact that someone was uncircumcised, with them being lost, and winding up in Sheol.
Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. If those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Romans 2:25-29
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But Sheol is not the end of the line for the uncircumcised.
“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." – Revelation 20:11-15
"In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month on the first day, the word of the LORD came to me:” – Ezekiel 32:1
This prophecy comes 19 months after the destruction of Jerusalem or 585 B.C. because the destruction of Jerusalem took place in 587 B.C.
"Son of man, take up a lament concerning Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him: “‘You are like a lion among the nations; you are like a monster in the seas thrashing about in your streams, churning the water with your feet and muddying the streams." – Ezekiel 32:2
“like a lion”: The metaphor describes Pharaoh’s deadly energetic stalking power in his dealings with other nations. The whale or monster is likened unto a crocodile that thrashes about in the streams, meaning he was also violent like the crocodile.
The Pharaoh of Egypt, is likened unto a lion the king of the beasts.
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8
Notice, both Pharaoh and Satan are described as “like a lion”, they are not a lion but “like a lion”. Their power is limited to what God allows them to have. It matters not how powerful any man is, he is still subject to God. This Pharaoh, like a lion or a monster, had troubled the people.
“‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “‘With a great throng of people I will cast my net over you, and they will haul you up in my net." – Ezekiel 32:3
The Pharaoh, like a lion and like a monster, will be caught in the net of God. The net, in this case, is a company of soldiers. God will entrap Egypt as a net ensnares a lion or crocodile, using many soldiers. Egyptians will fall, their corpses will gorge birds and beasts, their blood will soak the earth and waters.
“I will throw you on the land and hurl you on the open field. I will let all the birds of the air settle on you and all the beasts of the earth gorge themselves on you. I will spread your flesh on the mountains and fill the valleys with your remains. I will drench the land with your flowing blood all the way to the mountains, and the ravines will be filled with your flesh." – Ezekiel 32:4-6
The carcasses of the Egyptians would be food, enough for thousands of birds of prey to feed upon. The wild animals would feed upon them too. Note: These dead bodies will not be buried. The vultures, and the wild beasts, will feed on them.
“When I snuff you out, I will cover the heavens and darken their stars; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon will not give its light. All the shining lights in the heavens I will darken over you; I will bring darkness over your land, declares the Sovereign LORD. I will trouble the hearts of many peoples when I bring about your destruction among the nations, among lands you have not known.” – Ezekiel 32:7-9
This darkness is caused by God. This "darkness" could be speaking of spiritual darkness as well as to a physical darkness. This is likely a reference to Pharaoh, whose life and power is extinguished, and all the rest of the leaders and people basking in his light are plunged into darkness. The darkness indicates that their blessings have been withdrawn and judgment has come. The downfall of so great a nation of the world would cause those, who are committing similar sins, to be seriously concerned for their own state of affairs.
"I will cause many peoples to be appalled at you, and their kings will shudder with horror because of you when I brandish my sword before them. On the day of your downfall each of them will tremble every moment for his life." – Ezekiel 32:10
When God puts Pharaoh and Egypt down, He will cause the other smaller groups of people to fear Him when they consider what He could do to them.
“‘For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “‘The sword of the king of Babylon will come against you.” – Ezekiel 32:11
It is clear here that the sword of Babylon was put in the hand of the Babylonians by God. They are carrying out the punishment of God on these people. This is the definite identification of the conqueror (as was prophesied in Ezekiel chapter 30 verse 10), when God said I will put an end to the hordes of Egypt by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.
I will cause your hordes to fall by the swords of mighty men the most ruthless of all nations. They will shatter the pride of Egypt, and all her hordes will be overthrown. I will destroy all her cattle from beside abundant waters no longer to be stirred by the foot of man or muddied by the hoofs of cattle. Then I will let her waters settle and make her streams flow like oil, declares the Sovereign LORD. When I make Egypt desolate and strip the land of everything in it, when I strike down all who live there, – Ezekiel 32:12-15
Since the river was the center of all life, this pictures the devastation graphically.
"This is the lament they will chant for her. The daughters of the nations will chant it; for Egypt and all her hordes they will chant it, declares the Sovereign LORD. In the twelfth year, on the fifteenth day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, wail for the hordes of Egypt and consign to the earth below both her and the daughters of mighty nations, with those who go down to the pit. Say to them, ‘Are you more favored than others? Go down and be laid among the uncircumcised."– Ezekiel 32:16-19
We see from this, that not only do their physical bodies die, but their souls are delivered over to Sheol, as well. This is something to really wail about. This is not just Egypt, but all the nations that have sinned so greatly. The pit refers to Sheol or the grave. Ezekiel is speaking of the uncircumcised, as those who have lost their souls. The prophet followed Egypt and her people beyond the grave. The king of Egypt is addressed by the other nations in “Sheol,” taunting him with this chant as he is now on the same level with them.
This shows that there is conscious existence and fixed destiny beyond death (see Luke 16:19-31 which is the parable of Lazarus and the rich man).
They will fall among those killed by the sword. The sword is drawn; let her be dragged off with all her hordes. From within the grave the mighty leaders will say of Egypt and her allies, ‘They have come down and they lie with the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword."– Ezekiel 32:20-21
The Scripture above is speaking of those who died and they await being sent to hell for the second death. Note: It is God who judges a person worthy of hell.
“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” – Luke 12:4-5
This is speaking of those who have died in their sinful condition. They have not repented. They died, before they repented, and their souls will ultimately be cast into the lake of fire in hell.
"Assyria is there with her whole army; she is surrounded by the graves of all her slain, all who have fallen by the sword. Their graves are in the depths of the pit and her army lies around her grave. All who had spread terror in the land of the living are slain, fallen by the sword. Elam is there, with all her hordes around her grave. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword. All who had spread terror in the land of the living went down uncircumcised to the earth below. They bear their shame with those who go down to the pit. A bed is made for her among the slain, with all her hordes around her grave. All of them are uncircumcised, killed by the sword. Because their terror had spread in the land of the living, they bear their shame with those who go down to the pit; they are laid among the slain.
“Meshech and Tubal are there, with all their hordes around their graves. All of them are uncircumcised, killed by the sword because they spread their terror in the land of the living. Do they not lie with the other uncircumcised warriors who have fallen, who went down to the grave with their weapons of war, whose swords were placed under their heads? The punishment for their sins rested on their bones, though the terror of these warriors had stalked through the land of the living.
“You too, O Pharaoh, will be broken and will lie among the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword. “Edom is there, her kings and all her princes; despite their power, they are laid with those killed by the sword. They lie with the uncircumcised, with those who go down to the pit. “All the princes of the north and all the Sidonians are there; they went down with the slain in disgrace despite the terror caused by their power. They lie uncircumcised with those killed by the sword and bear their shame with those who go down to the pit." – Ezekiel 32:22-30
Ezekiel is now speaking of those who had known greatness on the earth, but worshipped false gods, and wound up in Sheol awaiting the Great White Thrown Judgement. The slain of several nations are pictured in the afterlife: Assyria who once was a great nation but is now no more, Elam seemed to be with the evil Sennacherib, Meshech and Tubal are mentioned with Gog later on, and Edom consists of the descendants of Esau. He had no respect for his birthright. All of these people are in Sheol and await condemnation to hell.
Although mighty for a time on earth, the fallen lie as defeated equals in death, all conquered by God. They had done terrible things to others while they were upon the earth, and now, they are in the very pit itself.
This seems to be a list of those, who lived gloriously on the earth, and were very evil. This is not something that happens in Ezekiel's time, but this is looking forward in time to the end times.
The mighty warriors who had been buried after their death had their sword buried with them under their heads. These others were evil men and they were not even buried. They were eaten of vultures, when they died.
"Pharaoh—he and all his army—will see them and he will be consoled for all his hordes that were killed by the sword, declares the Sovereign LORD. Although I had him spread terror in the land of the living, Pharaoh and all his hordes will be laid among the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword, declares the Sovereign LORD."– Ezekiel 32:31-32
It will be a little bit of consolation to Pharaoh to know that there are millions more people besides him and his followers who are down in Sheol awaiting the final Judgment.
The same judgment that God will cause Pharaoh and his hordes to fall under is the same judgment that He will make against all who are unrepentant. All of the nations that we talked about in this series worshipped false gods including the majority of the Hebrews. They were idolaters. They died in their sins. God warned them through his WORD and through His prophets but they did not listen nor did they repent. By the Grace of God may we and our nation not make the same mistake.
Let’s Pray.
In the eleventh year, in the third month, on the first of the month, the word of the LORD came to me. “Son of man, say to Pharaoh king of Egypt and to his hordes, ‘Who can be compared with you in majesty?" – Ezekiel 31:1-2
Note: This prophecy is sent not only to Pharaoh, but to his hordes as well. All of their pride is going to be dealt with here.
We note that this is about two months after the last dated prophecy (in Ezekiel chapter 30 verse 20-25) that Tim preached on last week. : Remember how God told Ezekiel that He had broken the arm of Pharaoh and that He would break his other arm and make the sword fall from his hand.
In Chapter 31 Verses 2-18: In answer to the “Who can be compared with you in majesty?” question, Ezekiel fills this chapter with metaphors and analogies comparing Egypt to a huge tree that dominates a forest to a king and Kingdom that dominates the world. The prophet Daniel wrote of a similar analogy in Dan. 4:1-36 when he interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of an enormous tree who’s top touched the sky and was visible to the ends of the earth that applied to the king and his kingdom of Babylon. But today’s message is about Pharaoh King of Egypt and his hordes. Here Ezekiel reasons that just as a strong tree like Assyria (verse 3) fell, so will Egypt fall. If the Egyptians tend to be proud and feel invincible, let them remember how proud and powerful Assyria had been and how they had fallen already.
"Consider Assyria, once a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches overshadowing the forest; it towered on high, its top above the thick foliage." – Ezekiel 31:3
Assyria is spoken of as a cedar of Lebanon. The cedar is spoken of as a powerful, magnificent tree. This could be calling Assyria a big powerful empire. This was a very tall tree. The Cedar of Lebanon was a beautiful full tree.
The trees were as high as 80 feet and were an example of supreme power and domination, particularly the great cedars which grew in the mountains north of Israel.
The history of the Assyrian empire had been one of greatness. The Assyrian empire had risen very high, but like all others, it was not able to stand against the judgment of God.
" The waters nourished it, deep springs made it grow tall; their streams flowed all around its base and sent their channels to all the trees of the field." – Ezekiel 31:4
For a tree to grow big and strong, it must be fed with water regularly. This was the case here. The cedar tree grew close to the river bank. The other trees, away from the large body of water grew, but not as large as this tree with abundant water.
"So it towered higher than all the trees of the field; its boughs increased and its branches grew long, spreading because of abundant waters." – Ezekiel 31:5
This is speaking of Assyria and all its worldly strength and power rising above the smaller nations that surrounded it.
"All the birds of the air nested in its boughs, all the beasts of the field gave birth under its branches; all the great nations lived in its shade." – Ezekiel 31:6
In the sight of the world, Assyria was a very great nation. All of the countries around her wanted her protection. It was God who had allowed Assyria to become a great nation for His purposes.
The tree will dry up and die, if the source of growth is cut off. God (the river of life), was the source of its growth. God had made it great. Assyria was a great nation that many could benefit from. That nation should have stayed humble, and realized its strength came from God.
"It was majestic in beauty, with its spreading boughs, for its roots went down to abundant waters. " – Ezekiel 31:7
The deeper the root of the tree goes, the stronger the tree is. The root will go deep and seek water. That is what is intended here. The root feeds the tree, and makes it grow tall and strong. The soul of man needs nourishment, like this tree. The water symbolizes the Word of God. It is the Word of God that makes us strong.
"The cedars in the garden of God could not rival it, nor could the pine trees equal its boughs, nor could the plane trees compare with its branches, no tree in the garden of God could match its beauty.” – Ezekiel 31:8
Since Assyria was in the area of the Garden of Eden, Ezekiel used the ultimate of gardens as a point of relative reference by which to describe a tree-like Assyria.
Remember that Jesus is the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden. The Tree of Life was in the center of the garden. The lesser trees were out in the garden. Adam and Eve could have come to the center of the garden, and eaten of the Tree which brought life eternal. Instead they were like many church goers today, who just nibble around the edge of Christianity, and never go to the Tree of Life. Adam and Eve never partook of life eternal. They preferred worldly gifts, rather than Life, which God gives. The sad thing is, they partook of the tree which appealed to their eyes.
“I made it beautiful with abundant branches, the envy of all the trees of Eden in the garden of God." – Ezekiel 31:9
The tree, which was so beautiful to the eye, was the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Eve looked, and lusted, and then partook of this beautiful tree, and gave of its fruit to Adam. They fell, just as this beautiful tree (Assyria) falls many years later. Note: Beauty to the eye does not bring happiness, or peace.
"Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because it towered on high, lifting its top above the thick foliage, and because it was proud of its height,” – Ezekiel 31:10
The Assyrians felt that they had lifted themselves up by their own achievements. They had forgotten where their root was. They forgot their strength came from God. And so God says:
"I handed it over to the ruler of the nations, for him to deal with according to its wickedness. I cast it aside,” – Ezekiel 31:11
Just as Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden, God uses Nebuchadnezzar to attack Assyria and cast them aside. It is truly a judgment of God upon them. The Assyrians fell to Babylon. They had been great, but their fall came suddenly.
"and the most ruthless of foreign nations cut it down and left it. Its boughs fell on the mountains and in all the valleys; its branches lay broken in all the ravines of the land. All the nations of the earth came out from under its shade and left it." – Ezekiel 31:12
The people of the earth (which are called branches here), no more looked to Assyria. This had been a vast empire that controlled many nations. Now, they are fallen. They do not control anyone anymore. Note: Based on recent events in the news our nation may be experiencing the same type of judgment.
"All the birds of the air settled on the fallen tree, and all the beasts of the field were among its branches." – Ezekiel 31:13
The ruin is so great; there will no longer be an Assyrian empire. The wild animals hover over the dead bodies.
The scene shifts from earth and the Garden of God to the pit or grave, as God again refers to the destruction of Assyria and all her allies (“all the trees,” “all that drink water”).
"Therefore no other trees by the waters are ever to tower proudly on high, lifting their tops above the thick foliage. No other trees so well-watered are ever to reach such a height; they are all destined for death, for the earth below, among mortal men, with those who go down to the pit.” – Ezekiel 31:14
Assyria, and all of her allies, are brought down to death. Now here "the pit" refers to Sheol, or Hades. Not only have their bodies died, but their souls are also confined to Sheol.
"This is what the Sovereign LORD says: On the day it was brought down to the grave I covered the deep springs with mourning for it; I held back its streams, and its abundant waters were restrained. Because of it I clothed Lebanon with gloom, and all the trees of the field withered away.” – Ezekiel 13:15
God clothing Lebanon with gloom here could refer to one or more forest fires to cause the trees of Lebanon to be burned and the earth to look black. It appeared that all the rivers dried up, causing all the trees in the field wither and die. This is similar to the global forest fires today.
“I made the nations tremble at the sound of its fall when I brought it down to the grave with those who go down to the pit. Then all the trees of Eden, the choicest and best of Lebanon, all the trees that were well-watered, were consoled in the earth below.” – Ezekiel 31:16
We see they were all cast into Sheol. The last part of this verse, seems to indicate that those that were already in Sheol, were somewhat comforted or consoled by knowing they were not the only ones to fall. There is a Latin phrase that states “solamen miseris socios habuisse doloris”. Its English translation is “misery loves company”. This Phrase was used in a play from the 16th century titled Dr. Faustus written by Christopher Marlowe. The play is about a man named Faustus who was prepared to give up his soul by signing a pact with the Satan in exchange for 24 years of living with his desires being fulfilled. The Character Faustus says to one of Satan’s demons named Mephistophilis “...tell me what good will my soul do thy lord.” Mephistophilis replies “Enlarge his kingdom” Faustus then asks, “Is that the reason why he tempts us thus?” Mephistophilis replies in Latin “Solamen miseris socios habuisse doloris.” “Misery loves company.” Even though Satan may love company these nations that went down to the pit had no love for each other, but they were consoled a bit by the fact that they were not the only ones to be cast into the pit.
"Those who lived in its shade, its allies among the nations, had also gone down to the grave with it, joining those killed by the sword.” – Ezekiel 31:17
Not only did Assyria fall to this terrible fate, but all of its allies, as well. This is the fate of all who put their trust in the world and the power that the world has. Those who do not trust in the LORD, can expect the same fate as these Assyrians and their allies.
“‘Which of the trees of Eden can be compared with you in splendor and majesty? Yet you, too, will be brought down with the trees of Eden to the earth below; you will lie among the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword. “‘This is Pharaoh and all his hordes, declares the Sovereign LORD.’” – Ezekiel 31:18
In this fifth oracle Egypt is compared with Assyria, its former ally. Assyria is said to have been a cedar in Lebanon (verse 3). However, God cut Assyria off (verse 12), this is a reference to Assyria’s destruction at the hands of Nabopolassar, Nebuchadnezzar’s father (in 612 B.C.). The implication for Egypt was clear: like Assyria, They too were about to be overthrown by the Babylonians. Egypt, like all the other great nations, including Assyria, will soon be felled by God.
This is saying that Pharaoh and all of Pharaoh’s hordes would be in Sheol with these Assyrians and their allies.
Now Ezekiel was a Hebrew, and he connected the fact that someone was uncircumcised, with them being lost, and winding up in Sheol.
Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. If those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Romans 2:25-29
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But Sheol is not the end of the line for the uncircumcised.
“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." – Revelation 20:11-15
"In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month on the first day, the word of the LORD came to me:” – Ezekiel 32:1
This prophecy comes 19 months after the destruction of Jerusalem or 585 B.C. because the destruction of Jerusalem took place in 587 B.C.
"Son of man, take up a lament concerning Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him: “‘You are like a lion among the nations; you are like a monster in the seas thrashing about in your streams, churning the water with your feet and muddying the streams." – Ezekiel 32:2
“like a lion”: The metaphor describes Pharaoh’s deadly energetic stalking power in his dealings with other nations. The whale or monster is likened unto a crocodile that thrashes about in the streams, meaning he was also violent like the crocodile.
The Pharaoh of Egypt, is likened unto a lion the king of the beasts.
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8
Notice, both Pharaoh and Satan are described as “like a lion”, they are not a lion but “like a lion”. Their power is limited to what God allows them to have. It matters not how powerful any man is, he is still subject to God. This Pharaoh, like a lion or a monster, had troubled the people.
“‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: “‘With a great throng of people I will cast my net over you, and they will haul you up in my net." – Ezekiel 32:3
The Pharaoh, like a lion and like a monster, will be caught in the net of God. The net, in this case, is a company of soldiers. God will entrap Egypt as a net ensnares a lion or crocodile, using many soldiers. Egyptians will fall, their corpses will gorge birds and beasts, their blood will soak the earth and waters.
“I will throw you on the land and hurl you on the open field. I will let all the birds of the air settle on you and all the beasts of the earth gorge themselves on you. I will spread your flesh on the mountains and fill the valleys with your remains. I will drench the land with your flowing blood all the way to the mountains, and the ravines will be filled with your flesh." – Ezekiel 32:4-6
The carcasses of the Egyptians would be food, enough for thousands of birds of prey to feed upon. The wild animals would feed upon them too. Note: These dead bodies will not be buried. The vultures, and the wild beasts, will feed on them.
“When I snuff you out, I will cover the heavens and darken their stars; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon will not give its light. All the shining lights in the heavens I will darken over you; I will bring darkness over your land, declares the Sovereign LORD. I will trouble the hearts of many peoples when I bring about your destruction among the nations, among lands you have not known.” – Ezekiel 32:7-9
This darkness is caused by God. This "darkness" could be speaking of spiritual darkness as well as to a physical darkness. This is likely a reference to Pharaoh, whose life and power is extinguished, and all the rest of the leaders and people basking in his light are plunged into darkness. The darkness indicates that their blessings have been withdrawn and judgment has come. The downfall of so great a nation of the world would cause those, who are committing similar sins, to be seriously concerned for their own state of affairs.
"I will cause many peoples to be appalled at you, and their kings will shudder with horror because of you when I brandish my sword before them. On the day of your downfall each of them will tremble every moment for his life." – Ezekiel 32:10
When God puts Pharaoh and Egypt down, He will cause the other smaller groups of people to fear Him when they consider what He could do to them.
“‘For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “‘The sword of the king of Babylon will come against you.” – Ezekiel 32:11
It is clear here that the sword of Babylon was put in the hand of the Babylonians by God. They are carrying out the punishment of God on these people. This is the definite identification of the conqueror (as was prophesied in Ezekiel chapter 30 verse 10), when God said I will put an end to the hordes of Egypt by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.
I will cause your hordes to fall by the swords of mighty men the most ruthless of all nations. They will shatter the pride of Egypt, and all her hordes will be overthrown. I will destroy all her cattle from beside abundant waters no longer to be stirred by the foot of man or muddied by the hoofs of cattle. Then I will let her waters settle and make her streams flow like oil, declares the Sovereign LORD. When I make Egypt desolate and strip the land of everything in it, when I strike down all who live there, – Ezekiel 32:12-15
Since the river was the center of all life, this pictures the devastation graphically.
"This is the lament they will chant for her. The daughters of the nations will chant it; for Egypt and all her hordes they will chant it, declares the Sovereign LORD. In the twelfth year, on the fifteenth day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, wail for the hordes of Egypt and consign to the earth below both her and the daughters of mighty nations, with those who go down to the pit. Say to them, ‘Are you more favored than others? Go down and be laid among the uncircumcised."– Ezekiel 32:16-19
We see from this, that not only do their physical bodies die, but their souls are delivered over to Sheol, as well. This is something to really wail about. This is not just Egypt, but all the nations that have sinned so greatly. The pit refers to Sheol or the grave. Ezekiel is speaking of the uncircumcised, as those who have lost their souls. The prophet followed Egypt and her people beyond the grave. The king of Egypt is addressed by the other nations in “Sheol,” taunting him with this chant as he is now on the same level with them.
This shows that there is conscious existence and fixed destiny beyond death (see Luke 16:19-31 which is the parable of Lazarus and the rich man).
They will fall among those killed by the sword. The sword is drawn; let her be dragged off with all her hordes. From within the grave the mighty leaders will say of Egypt and her allies, ‘They have come down and they lie with the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword."– Ezekiel 32:20-21
The Scripture above is speaking of those who died and they await being sent to hell for the second death. Note: It is God who judges a person worthy of hell.
“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” – Luke 12:4-5
This is speaking of those who have died in their sinful condition. They have not repented. They died, before they repented, and their souls will ultimately be cast into the lake of fire in hell.
"Assyria is there with her whole army; she is surrounded by the graves of all her slain, all who have fallen by the sword. Their graves are in the depths of the pit and her army lies around her grave. All who had spread terror in the land of the living are slain, fallen by the sword. Elam is there, with all her hordes around her grave. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword. All who had spread terror in the land of the living went down uncircumcised to the earth below. They bear their shame with those who go down to the pit. A bed is made for her among the slain, with all her hordes around her grave. All of them are uncircumcised, killed by the sword. Because their terror had spread in the land of the living, they bear their shame with those who go down to the pit; they are laid among the slain.
“Meshech and Tubal are there, with all their hordes around their graves. All of them are uncircumcised, killed by the sword because they spread their terror in the land of the living. Do they not lie with the other uncircumcised warriors who have fallen, who went down to the grave with their weapons of war, whose swords were placed under their heads? The punishment for their sins rested on their bones, though the terror of these warriors had stalked through the land of the living.
“You too, O Pharaoh, will be broken and will lie among the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword. “Edom is there, her kings and all her princes; despite their power, they are laid with those killed by the sword. They lie with the uncircumcised, with those who go down to the pit. “All the princes of the north and all the Sidonians are there; they went down with the slain in disgrace despite the terror caused by their power. They lie uncircumcised with those killed by the sword and bear their shame with those who go down to the pit." – Ezekiel 32:22-30
Ezekiel is now speaking of those who had known greatness on the earth, but worshipped false gods, and wound up in Sheol awaiting the Great White Thrown Judgement. The slain of several nations are pictured in the afterlife: Assyria who once was a great nation but is now no more, Elam seemed to be with the evil Sennacherib, Meshech and Tubal are mentioned with Gog later on, and Edom consists of the descendants of Esau. He had no respect for his birthright. All of these people are in Sheol and await condemnation to hell.
Although mighty for a time on earth, the fallen lie as defeated equals in death, all conquered by God. They had done terrible things to others while they were upon the earth, and now, they are in the very pit itself.
This seems to be a list of those, who lived gloriously on the earth, and were very evil. This is not something that happens in Ezekiel's time, but this is looking forward in time to the end times.
The mighty warriors who had been buried after their death had their sword buried with them under their heads. These others were evil men and they were not even buried. They were eaten of vultures, when they died.
"Pharaoh—he and all his army—will see them and he will be consoled for all his hordes that were killed by the sword, declares the Sovereign LORD. Although I had him spread terror in the land of the living, Pharaoh and all his hordes will be laid among the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword, declares the Sovereign LORD."– Ezekiel 32:31-32
It will be a little bit of consolation to Pharaoh to know that there are millions more people besides him and his followers who are down in Sheol awaiting the final Judgment.
The same judgment that God will cause Pharaoh and his hordes to fall under is the same judgment that He will make against all who are unrepentant. All of the nations that we talked about in this series worshipped false gods including the majority of the Hebrews. They were idolaters. They died in their sins. God warned them through his WORD and through His prophets but they did not listen nor did they repent. By the Grace of God may we and our nation not make the same mistake.
Let’s Pray.
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