The Soiled Signet

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 28

You were the signet of perfection. (Ezekiel 28.12)

Devotional Thought: Many scholars have interpreted that the Prince of Tyre in Ezekiel 28 is a personification of Satan himself.  There are, indeed, many things that seem to apply to the Prince of Darkness:

·       in Eden (13)

·       anointed guardian cherub (14)

·       on the holy mountain of God (14)

·       blameless till unrighteousness was found in him (15)

·       filled with violence in your midst he sinned (16)

·       proud because of his beauty (17)

·       has come to a dreadful end (19)

If we lose sight of the historical purpose of this prophecy and lament, however, we will miss out on the warning that it gives us:

No matter how close we have walked with God (in Eden on the holy mountain of God) and no matter how powerful or prominent we are in God's service (anointed guardian cherub) ... we must be careful to guard our hearts.  If we do not maintain a blameless relationship with God through the righteousness of Christ, then we will become unrighteous (violent and sinful and proud), and we will be found wanting (come to a dreadful end).  All this, in spite of the fact that we were the signet of perfection (v. 12).

Ezekiel was not written primarily to describe Satan, although the book may indeed help us understand his history.  The real value of the prophet's words was to help Israel evaluate themselves and return to God.   Thus, for us, it serves as a warning to watch after our own souls.

Prayer: Lord, I want to be a signet that points to your perfection.  Help me to guard my soul and keep my path straight so that you are glorified by my life and words.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 44.1-8

1 O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old:

2 you with your own hand drove out the nations, but them you planted; you afflicted the peoples, but them you set free;

3 for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them.

4 You are my King, O God; ordain salvation for Jacob!

5 Through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.

6 For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me.

7 But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us.

8 In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah