S) "2 Son of man, take up a lamentation over Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him,
'You compared yourself to a young lion of the nations,
Yet you are like the monster in the seas;
And you burst forth in your rivers
And muddied the waters with your feet
And fouled their rivers.'"
Yet you are like the monster in the seas;
And you burst forth in your rivers
And muddied the waters with your feet
And fouled their rivers.'"
Ezekiel 32:2 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Ezekiel 32
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Ezekiel 32
O) This is directly off the heels of prophecy against Egypt. In the previous chapter, the nations of Egypt and Assyria were likened to great, flourishing trees. In this verse, it is more specific to Pharaoh. Lions are powerful, fierce, creatures which often depict dignity and honor. This is how Pharaoh apparently saw himself. On the other hand, the sea monster mentioned (which isn't specific, although it's mentioned elsewhere) is a creature that was still commanded fear, but it's never really been used to convey dignity or honor. In this case, the muddiness of the waters, the tromping around in them, paints a picture of a crude animal, not at all regal.
A) One of the problems Pharaoh had, then, was a skewed view of himself. He saw some qualities in himself (chiefly, the power he wielded), and apparently assumed the rest. This is a mistake I cannot repeat. I can identify some character traits God has given me. He has blessed me with certain talents and skills, but I cannot assume that some of those positive things mean definite other things about myself. I cannot ignore my flaws. I cannot project an exalted version of myself. I must let the truth of God's word judge me rightly. I need to humbly seek counsel from godly men. I need to listen to my wife's heart about her concerns for me. If I want to be a lion, I can't act like a sea monster.
A) One of the problems Pharaoh had, then, was a skewed view of himself. He saw some qualities in himself (chiefly, the power he wielded), and apparently assumed the rest. This is a mistake I cannot repeat. I can identify some character traits God has given me. He has blessed me with certain talents and skills, but I cannot assume that some of those positive things mean definite other things about myself. I cannot ignore my flaws. I cannot project an exalted version of myself. I must let the truth of God's word judge me rightly. I need to humbly seek counsel from godly men. I need to listen to my wife's heart about her concerns for me. If I want to be a lion, I can't act like a sea monster.
P) Father, thank You for the grace You are working in me. Thank You for the process of sanctification that You are bringing me through. Help me to see myself more clearly. Open my eyes and ears, so that I can better understand who I am, as I pursue who I know I should be. I never want to overestimate my maturity, my strength, or my character. Help me to be humble, and to approach my flaws with hope in You, and the working of the Holy Spirit. Be glorified in my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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