Ezekiel 28:26. How does this text motivate us to work hard now to get to know Jehovah better? (rr chap. 7 pars. 29, 30)
Ezekiel 28:26 — They will dwell on it in security and build houses and plant vineyards, and they will dwell in security when I execute judgment on all those around them who treat them with scorn; and they will have to know that I am Jehovah their God.”’”
Answer 1: This text encourages us to get to know Jehovah now of our own free will instead of waiting until we are forced to recognize his authority when he executes his judgments. The information explains that at Armageddon, the nations will have no choice but to admit that he is the Sovereign. We can recognize him now, willingly. So getting to know Jehovah better is not just a matter of learning facts; it means allowing what we know about him to influence our decisions.
Answer 2: The promise of living in security helps us understand why it is worthwhile to get to know Jehovah better: the security of his people depends on him. The text connects that peace with Jehovah’s intervention against those who treated his servants with contempt. Therefore, when reading the Bible, we can look for how he protects his people and fulfills his promises. This strengthens our trust in him instead of making our peace of mind depend on everything around us appearing stable.
Answer 3: Getting to know Jehovah better prepares us not to be intimidated by appearances. According to the information, the nations see God’s people as helpless as a lone sheep and will launch an attack against them. But that apparent weakness does not mean that Jehovah lacks the power to act. The better we know him now, the less our confidence will depend on what we see. We will be convinced that Jehovah’s power is far greater than that of those who oppose his people.
Answer 4: The text also motivates us to recognize Jehovah’s right to rule now. The information emphasizes that the nations will have to admit that he is the Sovereign when he intervenes at Armageddon. We do not want merely to acknowledge his power; we want to accept his authority willingly. So when studying, we can ask ourselves what each passage teaches us about his way of viewing matters. Then we show that we know him by making decisions that respect his will, even when doing so requires effort.
Answer 5: The description of the houses and vineyards allows us to see more than a judgment against the enemies: Jehovah wanted his people to enjoy a secure life. Getting to know him better involves appreciating both his power and his concern for those who serve him. This gives us a positive reason to draw close to him now. We do not do so only because of fear of what will happen, but because we want to trust in the God who cares about the security of his people.
What spiritual gems from this week’s Bible reading have you enjoyed?
Spiritual gems from EZEKIEL 27
Ezekiel 27:3 — and say to Tyre, ‘You who dwell at the gateways of the sea, The merchant for the peoples of many islands, This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says: “O Tyre, you yourself have said, ‘I am perfect in beauty.’
Comment 1: At Ezekiel 27:3, Tyre is portrayed as being very pleased with its own beauty. That high opinion of itself contrasts with the chapter’s outcome. It reminds me that I should not evaluate myself only by what I see in myself. Rather than thinking that I do not need to improve, I want to be willing to accept advice and recognize my limitations.
Ezekiel 27:8 — The inhabitants of Sidon and of Arvad were your rowers. Your own skilled men, O Tyre, were your sailors.
Comment 2: Ezekiel 27:8 mentions Tyre’s skilled sailors. However, the rest of the chapter shows that their experience could not prevent the city’s fall. This helps me keep human abilities in their proper place. It is good to prepare and do our work well, but experience does not make us infallible. In congregation responsibilities, I want to use what I have learned while continuing to listen to others and not thinking that I no longer need direction.
Ezekiel 27:9 — The experienced and skilled men of Gebal caulked your seams. All the ships of the sea and their mariners came to you to trade merchandise.
Comment 3: Ezekiel 27:9 includes an interesting detail: experienced men caulked the seams of the vessel representing Tyre. It was not all beauty or commerce; careful maintenance work was also needed. This detail makes me think of congregation tasks that may receive little attention but benefit everyone. I want to value those who perform them and be willing to help, without measuring a task’s importance by how visible it is.
Ezekiel 27:10 — Men of Persia, Lud, and Put were in your army, your men of war. They hung their shields and helmets in you, and they brought you splendor.
Comment 4: At Ezekiel 27:10, the warriors and their weapons added splendor to Tyre. The city had a military force that could impress anyone, but this did not prevent the end announced by Jehovah. This reminds me that a display of strength does not guarantee lasting security. When I hear about the power of the nations, I want to maintain a balanced and neutral viewpoint. My confidence in the future should rest, not on the military capacity of any country, but on Jehovah.
Ezekiel 27:12 — “‘“Tarshish did business with you because of your abundant wealth. They exchanged silver, iron, tin, and lead for your goods.
Comment 5: Ezekiel 27:12 shows that Tyre’s abundant wealth attracted those who wanted to do business with her. Her resources opened many commercial doors, but this said nothing about her relationship with Jehovah. This helps me not to confuse economic prosperity with divine approval. If I do well at work, I can be thankful without concluding that all my decisions are right. What matters is continuing to examine whether my conduct and priorities agree with what Jehovah expects.
Ezekiel 27:13 — Javan, Tubal, and Meshech traded with you, exchanging slaves and articles of copper for your merchandise.
Comment 6: Ezekiel 27:13 mentions that slaves were among the merchandise exchanged. This detail makes us think about the people who could be hidden behind commercial prosperity. As an application, it reminds me never to view someone only in terms of the benefit that person can bring me. At work and in daily life, I want to treat people with dignity. Making money or gaining an advantage never justifies taking advantage of another person’s need or vulnerability.
Ezekiel 27:24 — In your marketplace they traded beautiful garments, cloaks made of blue material and colorful embroidery, and multicolored carpets, all bound and secured with ropes.
Comment 7: The description at Ezekiel 27:24 allows us to imagine a marketplace filled with attractive garments and fabrics. The chapter does not present those beautiful items as protection against ruin. This helps me keep my interest in material things balanced. I can enjoy something beautiful without making shopping or appearance the center of my life. Before buying something, it is wise to consider whether I really need it and how much time or effort it will take to obtain it.
Ezekiel 27:26 — Your rowers have brought you into heavy seas; The east wind has wrecked you in the heart of the open sea.
Comment 8: At Ezekiel 27:26, the rowers take the vessel into turbulent seas, where it is finally wrecked. The image makes me think about the importance of the direction we follow. It is not enough to move forward energetically if the course is dangerous. As a personal application, before following advice about work, money, or goals, I want to examine where it might lead me. The confidence with which someone speaks does not prove that the guidance is good; I need to compare it with the principles I learn in the Bible.
Ezekiel 27:27 — Your wealth, your goods, your merchandise, your mariners, and your sailors, Those caulking your seams, those trading your merchandise, and all the men of war —The entire multitude within you— They will all sink in the heart of the open sea on the day of your downfall.
Comment 9: Ezekiel 27:27 brings together in one scene Tyre’s riches, merchants, sailors, and warriors. Everything on which it relied would disappear in its fall. It teaches me how fragile security can be when built solely on material and human resources. Therefore, when organizing my life, I do not want to devote all my strength to protecting my possessions. I also need to reserve time and attention to strengthen my relationship with Jehovah, which should not be relegated to whatever time is left over.
Spiritual gems from EZEKIEL 28
Ezekiel 28:2 — “Son of man, tell the leader of Tyre, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says: “Because your heart has become haughty, you keep saying, ‘I am a god. I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the sea.’ But you are only a man, not a god, Though in your heart you feel that you are a god.
Comment 1: Ezekiel 28:2 shows that the leader of Tyre had lost sight of his human limitations. His position fed an exaggerated opinion of himself. It reminds me that no responsibility places me above others. If I receive an assignment, I want to view it as an opportunity to serve, not as a reason to demand importance or special treatment.
Ezekiel 28:4 — You have made yourself wealthy by your wisdom and your discernment, And you keep storing up gold and silver in your treasuries.
Comment 2: Ezekiel 28:4 acknowledges that Tyre’s ruler had wisdom and discernment to accumulate riches. However, the context shows that this ability did not make him humble. This helps me distinguish between being skilled at an activity and making good decisions in a spiritual sense. Someone may have great professional success and still need correction. So when I seek guidance, I do not want to be impressed only by a person’s achievements; I want to consider whether the advice respects Bible principles.
Ezekiel 28:5 — Your skillful trading brought you great wealth, And your heart grew haughty because of your wealth.”’
Comment 3: Ezekiel 28:5 points to a specific danger: as the ruler’s fortune increased, so did his arrogance. The problem was not merely what he possessed but the effect it was having on his heart. This encourages me to observe how I react when my circumstances improve. Do I find it harder to accept suggestions? Do I consider myself superior to those who have less? Examining such attitudes can help me detect pride before it damages my dealings with others and my relationship with Jehovah.
Ezekiel 28:9 — Will you still say, ‘I am a god,’ to the one killing you? You will be a mere man, not a god, in the hand of those defiling you.”’
Comment 4: At Ezekiel 28:9, Jehovah asks a question that exposes the fragility of Tyre’s leader. In the face of the one who would take his life, his claim to be a god would have no value. This reminds me that the image someone projects does not change what he really is. Therefore, I do not want to live concerned with appearing strong or capable at all times. Recognizing that I need help is wiser than defending an appearance of self-sufficiency that difficulties can quickly destroy.
Ezekiel 28:15 — You were faultless in your ways from the day you were created Until unrighteousness was found in you.
Comment 5: In the description of the king of Tyre, Ezekiel 28:15 contrasts conduct that was initially faultless with the injustice that appeared later. The practical lesson is that a good beginning does not guarantee that we will continue on the same path. I would not want to become overconfident simply because I have served Jehovah for years or because I made good decisions in the past. I need to keep examining my present conduct. Faithfulness is shown by continuing to do what is right, not simply by remembering what we did well at another stage of life.
Ezekiel 28:16 — Because of your abundant trade, You became filled with violence, and you began to sin. So I will cast you out as profane from the mountain of God and destroy you, O covering cherub, away from the stones of fire.
Comment 6: Ezekiel 28:16 links Tyre’s extensive business dealings with the violence and sin that came to characterize it. This reminds me that a profitable activity can become a trap if, in order to maintain it, we accept wrong conduct. At work, I want to be alert to pressure to act harshly, abuse others, or overlook what is wrong. If an economic opportunity requires me to abandon my principles, the gain does not compensate for the harm I might cause.
Ezekiel 28:17 — Your heart became haughty because of your beauty. You corrupted your wisdom because of your own glorious splendor. I will throw you down to the earth. I will make you a spectacle before kings.
Comment 7: Ezekiel 28:17 shows that the beauty and splendor of the king of Tyre fed his arrogance and eventually harmed his wisdom. It strikes me that an admired quality can become a cause for stumbling. Appearance, ease of speech, or any other ability should not make us feel superior. When I receive praise, I want to accept it gratefully without beginning to seek more admiration. What matters is using my qualities in a useful way, not turning them into a reason to draw attention to myself.
Ezekiel 28:18 — Because of your great guilt and your dishonest trading, you have profaned your sanctuaries. I will cause a fire to break out in your midst, and it will consume you. I will reduce you to ashes on the earth before all those looking at you.
Comment 8: Ezekiel 28:18 highlights Tyre’s enormous guilt and corrupt business practices. Its splendor could not hide from Jehovah the way it acted. This encourages me to examine not only the results of my work but also the methods I use. It is not enough for a transaction to appear successful or be well presented. In matters such as collections, agreements, or sales, I want to be transparent and honest. A good appearance should never become a cover for practices I know are wrong.
Ezekiel 28:22 — You should say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah says: “Here I am against you, O Sidon, and I will be glorified in your midst; And people will have to know that I am Jehovah when I execute judgment on her and I am sanctified in her.
Comment 9: Ezekiel 28:22 shows that when executing his judgment against Sidon, Jehovah would make it clear who he is and would be sanctified. This helps me remember that the account is not focused only on the fate of a city; Jehovah’s recognition is also at stake. When reading Bible judgments, I want to notice what they reveal about him. In this way, my study is not limited to learning events but strengthens my respect for his name and authority.
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