Ezekiel

Ezekiel 31:1-9

This is the fifth oracle against Egypt.  It is given a few months before the fall of Jerusalem.  They were arrogant and considered themselves the greatest of nations.  Were they comparable to the Assyrian nation?  They would have thought not.  Assyria is portrayed as a great and beautiful tree that grew to phenomenal height and breadth.  Its roots were in the deep, drawing from sources unknown.  What could compare?  Not even the trees in the garden of God.  The tree that tempted Adam, 'the knowledge of good and evil', could not compare.  If it were possible, even The Tree of Life would be envious.  God made it beautiful beyond compare. 

This tree supported the nests of the birds of heaven, the beasts lived under its care.  Great nations found their home under this tree.  Assyria was a great nation that was part of every person's life.

This tree bears a resemblance to Mesopotamian myth of a tree that's roots touch the underworld and branches reach the heavens

Ezekiel 31:10-14

Assyria had been a world superpower for over 300 years.  They thought they would never be brought down.  Many others thought they could never be stopped.  They were cruel and controlling and the world was seemingly at their mercy.  Pride was found in Assyria, that same pride was found in Egypt.  Twenty-five years before Ezekiel's time, the Assyrians fell to Babylon.  During this epic battle of Carchemish, Egypt had sided with Assyria.  The aliens, a reference to Babylon, cut down this tree picturing Assyria.  It was cut down and left.  Those who trusted in it left (as Egypt did).  No other would ever grow to such prominence. 

Ezekiel 31:15-18

Hell in this passage is the abode of the dead, the underworld.  The Lord is presented as having gone there and witnessed the sight of the once great king in his diminished and broken state.  (See Isaiah 14:9-10).  Those who allied with Assyrian also went to the underworld. 

©2020 Doug Ford