S) "16 By the abundance of your trade
You were internally filled with violence,
And you sinned;
Therefore I have cast you as profane
From the mountain of God.
And I have destroyed you, O covering cherub,
From the midst of the stones of fire."
Ezekiel 28:16 (NASB)
O) This verse was already highlighted in my Bible, as a warning, but when I looked for an entry for it I couldn't find one (although it certainly seems familiar). Since I can't exactly erase a highlight, I decided I would go ahead and write a(nother) entry for it. This comes as part of a judgment and then lamentation for the king of Tyre, although he is not named. While the imagery and some of the descriptions certainly carry with them some spirituality, I do believe this is still talking about a mortal man. Throughout the first half of the chapter, there are several references to the king making himself out to be like God, and the supernatural elements to vv.15-16 may be a reference to that, almost like the LORD is using the arrogance of the king to make His point, that the king is no match for God at all. I suppose, because it is not explicitly said so in the Bible, and even because this king is unnamed, that there is some possibility that he could have been an actual cherub, but that seems unlikely. However, whichever is the case has no bearing on the warning itself. Clearly, the hubris of this king brought about the judgment of God.
A) Because I know with certainty that I am not a cherub, the last half of the verse isn't directly applicable. Even metaphorically, this is a judgment I will avoid by keeping myself humble before my God. He is God and I am not. Unfortunately, there are still ways in which I act as if I am God - by this I mean I am tempted and sometimes sin, with things like arrogant pride, and making decisions as if I am sovereign over my life. In a sense, every time I sin, it could be said that I am making myself out to be the god of my own life, that I am making myself the god of my own heart. There are many, many passages in the Bible, warning against this kind of pride. However, this verse did strike me as a little unique, in that it connects the materialism of the king's desires to the violence of his hands. While this passage may be a little more descriptive than prescriptive, I also see a sort of parallel in the beginning of James 4, which talks about the connection between unsatisfied desires and violence. While the root of any sin is certainly pride, it should be noted that there are other - progressions I suppose I could say - that trace sinful behaviors back to their roots. If violence really is the end result of materialism, then addressing the unchecked desires in my life will certainly help prevent some of that violence (although I am sure other things can lead to violence). Materialism isn't something too obvious in my life; that is to say, I don't think it's a regular stumbling block for me. Having said that, I know that I have sometimes been surprised by desires that have taken root in my heart, for things that I don't really need, or even that I should certainly not even have. Even materialism has a root, and tracing it back to the pride that says I'm in charge of my life, and I'm entitled to my desires, is certainly where I need to put to death my own desires.
P) Father, thank You for the patience You show Your servant every single day. I confess that materialism still creeps into my heart at times. I don't always notice it, because it doesn't seem like a particularly regular struggle for me. Because of that, I pray that You would help me see the temptations for what they are, help me see them even more clearly. Tracing that back further, Lord, I lay down my own desires. Help me put to death, the desires that do not honor You. I am not my own, Lord. I confess that I am Yours, because You have purchased me - and at an incalculable cost. I am indebted to You. However, even more than that, I just love You. Father God, I want to be obedient, and to please You. I want to live for You, and not fleshly lusts which are passing away, anyway. Help me to exercise more self-control today than I did yesterday. Help me to grow in this daily. Help me to walk in the Spirit, so I am not gratifying the desires of my flesh, and instead I am pursuing and gratifying the desires of my spirit. It is the desire of my spirit to honor and glorify You, my Lord. Let Your will be done in this. Have Your way with me, Your humble servant. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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