What is Value?

Read Ezekiel 26-28
 
Ezekiel 28:11-13 Then this further message came to me from the LORD: 12 “Son of man, sing this funeral song for the king of Tyre. Give him this message from the Sovereign LORD: “You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and exquisite in beauty. 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God. Your clothing was adorned with every precious stone – red carnelian, pale-green peridot, white moonstone, blue-green beryl, onyx, green jasper, blue lapis lazuli, turquoise, and emerald – all beautifully crafted for you and set in the finest gold. They were given to you on the day you were created.”
 
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, God’s chosen people. Why care about Tyre? It is because God’s work of blessing and judgment extends to all nations. “For all the earth belongs to me.” (Exodus 19:5b)  
   Ezekiel first told how God had raised up the king of Tyre to live in an Eden-like setting. “You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and exquisite 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 a victim of his pride. He looked to himself as the source of all his riches. In response to his self-exalting view, the LORD God judged him. Still, he mourned the man’s heart. The righteous God does not take pleasure in his judgments.
   The king’s fall from grace reflected the same that happened to Adam. In Eden Adam 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 to be his own man but not to be God’s son. Adam lost the precious “jewels” of a deep, intimate love-relationship with God.
   See in these words – as we should with all the Bible – God’s message is more than to a specific man of an ancient civilization. He is speaking to you to be aware of pride’s disastrous effects on your relationship with God and with others. Be alert to overcome this ancient sin. Examine your life in light of God’s rich, sacrificial love for you. How will you respond with what he has given to you?