I don’t often directly associate myself with many of the prophecies in Ezekiel. Oh, where the light of God’s promises peeks through the darkness of God’s judgment, I might find myself associating with the people of God, but, for the most part, I’m not connecting with the nations who God calls out for destruction. But for some reason, this morning something in the prophecy against “the prince of Tyre” stood out. I need to search my heart . . . but, I don’t think the Spirit’s bringing it to my attention in order to convict me of sin, but rather to remind me and warn me of a trap. One of those things Paul speaks of when he says, “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” (1Cor. 10:11-12). This morning I’m taking heed of the danger of a proud heart.

Tyre must of been some nation. It would seem to be have been an economic powerhouse. My Bible dictionary says that “the commerce of the whole world was gathered into the warehouses of Tyre” (Easton). They were merchants of the sea . . . and everyone who was anyone wanted to do business with them (Ezek. 27:12-25). Successful? I’m guessing. Evidenced in their bank accounts . . . evidenced in their physical presence. But as I read chapter 28, Ezekiel’s prophecy against the Prince of Tyre, their Achilles heel is revealed . . . pride.

Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of the gods, in the heart of the seas,’ yet you are but a man, and no god, though you make your heart like the heart of a god . . . by your great wisdom in your trade you have increased your wealth, and your heart has become proud in your wealth . . . Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor.   (Ezekiel 28:2, 5, 17 ESV)

Had it all . . . but believed in it too much. Had wisely and adeptly navigated their way to the top . . . but decided to usurp the throne. Their storehouses were full of treasures . . . and their hearts became full of pride.

Proud because of their wealth . . . proud because of their beauty . . . so proud that they said, “I am a god.”

And it causes me to pause. How easy is it to get caught up in our “successes?” What’s the danger that our treasures become our testimony rather than just a stewardship? How prone can we be to surrounding ourselves with “nice things” so that we might be elevated in the estimation of others? Though we would never purposefully and overtly assert ourselves as gods . . . is it possible to get a little god-like in our attitudes?

How I need to guard against pride in wealth . . . guard against pride in beauty or appearances . . . guard against pride taking up residence in my heart.

What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?   (1Corinthians 4:7 ESV)

Oh, that there would be no boasting in the blessings of God save in the boast of His abundant grace. That our hearts would not become puffed up with what we think we have accomplished . . . that our hearts would not become fixed on that which we think is ours. But that our “successes” would be seen as His favor . . . our possessions would be seen as but His call to faithful stewardship. But that God would be given the glory for whatever our state and that our boast would be in Him and Him alone.

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.   (Galatians 6:14 ESV)