Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Ezekiel
Book: Ezekiel
Chapter: 28
Overview:
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.