June 30 Of Great Value

Ezekiel 28:11-13 Moreover, the word of the Lord came to me: 12 "Son of man, raise a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, 'Thus says the Lord God: You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle; and crafted in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you were created they were prepared.'"

EZEKIEL 28 is the third chapter of God's message to Tyre, a strong, wealthy city along the Mediterranean coast. It is 147 miles from Jerusalem. This city and its citizens are not among the Jews, who are God's chosen people. I make these points so that we may know God's work extends into all lands. Although he had chosen the Jews to be his particular people to live in a certain spot on earth, God did not then, and he does not now limit his reach to his creation. As taught in John 3:16 "God so loved the world." we are to remember God's word goes to all the world that people of all nations may be saved.

    Thus, God's message here is to the king of Tyre. Even more, it certainly is a message for us all. See in this Scripture the great value God places on mankind. He expresses through Ezekiel how he had raised up the king of Tyre to live in an Eden-like setting. "You were the signet of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty." He was adorned with many precious jewels. God had given him all he could materially desire.

    But as Adam in Eden and the Jews in the Promised Land, Tyre's king became prideful. He looked to himself as the source of all his riches. In response to his self-exalting view, God's judgment came upon him. God mourned the man's heart that kept him from God. The righteous God does not take pleasure in his judgments.

    Isn't the king's downfall a mirror of Adam? He was in Eden. He had the riches of the world before him. How could he desire more? In the devil's bidding, pride infected his mind. Adam became self-focused. He wanted to make his own decisions, be his own man. Such a view always leads to sin. Adam lost the precious "jewels" of a deep, intimate love-relationship with God.

    Go ahead and read Ezekiel 28:1-19. See them as God's words not to a specific man of an ancient civilization, but as words to you to overcome an ancient sin. Then assess your life in light of God's rich love for you. How will you respond?

Prayer: Lord God, you so lovingly created me to live in the great wealth of your love. Adorn me with the precious jewels of your love. Amen.