Ezekiel 31 is a continuation of the description of what is to come for Pharoah. I love how the Message version calls him “Pharaoh, king of Egypt, that pompous old goat”. Pretty clear that this guy has an issue with pride. And God does not look kindly on pride. He is not going to allow that to go unchecked. So the chapter compares Pharaoh to a tree – the biggest tree in the forest – the one that is the source of life for many and towers over all. But one day, it gets cut down. Check this out: “No longer a tree–just a log”. What powerful words. This tree – the king of the forest – changes instantly to a life giving overshadowing power to becoming just another log. One that can be cut up and become another log on the fire (had to throw that in there for you old enough to remember that song). It was the end of the “big tree” syndrome and quickly became a log lying on the ground with no life or purpose except to be burned up. Here is the reality – Ezekiel gives it straight to Pharaoh – “you’re slated to be cut down”. God does not allow anyone to take His place in the world – that of being praised and honored and glorified which is exactly what Pharaoh was up to. His pride would become his fall – literally – like this tree illustration in the forest and soon he would be “stacked with the other dead logs” and just a thing of the past. Are you a living tree that gives God His rightful place in your life? That is how you can continue to grow and flourish. But if we decide it is all about me and that God is not part of anything in my life – watch out for the ax to fall. God will not stand by and allow His place to be filled by any man.
29 Apr
