September 8, 2024

Rēad to Read …Again

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 28-30

Ezekiel 28:2

Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:

God’s message to Ittobaal II (Ethbaal), the prince of Tyre is recorded here. It’s not good. This prince, some say king, considered himself to be God. But he was just a man. The history lesson of this prince’s reign in Tyre, its history, destruction, the numerous Biblical prophecies concerning it, Daniel’s name being mentioned in irony, and the spiritual indication of Satan’s influence on this false god, could fill a large textbook. These we will not enter into in any detail.

But there is one detail that cannot be overlooked which is this: God has no equal. Not on earth, not in heaven, not now and not in eternity. All who think they are God are mistaken.

There was a story about a science professor who was debating a Christian about God’s creative ability. This expert claimed that it is no problem to create a living being. In his arrogant way he droned on and on about the advancements in medicine and technology that would enable anyone with his intellect to make a human body. After his diatribe, his debate opponent asked one question. “How would you make a human?” To which the expert (so called) said that he would start with some dirt. His opponent stopped him and pointed out that he would have to make his own dirt if he were to duplicate that which God did.

There are those who throughout the history of this world have taken it upon themselves to be as God. This has been and will continue to be. To those, the Lord God basically gives the same message: Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee, I am God? but thou shalt be a man, and no God, in the hand of him that slayeth thee. (Ezekiel 28:9) His basic message is “you will die.” Just as Hebrews 9:27 clearly states: And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. All men die, yet God our Father never will die. He is eternal.

The promise that “ye shall be as gods” was not given by God, but rather by a serpent (Genesis 3:5). Only God is God. Ittobaal II thought he was God. He learned otherwise. He is not alone; uncounted millions have made the same mistake. The next time someone pretends to be God, just simply ask them how they would create dirt.

Dr. William T. Howe