Ezekiel 28:5

By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, but your heart has grown proud because of it.

Study Bible

By your great skill in trading
This phrase highlights the commercial prowess of the ruler of Tyre, a city known for its strategic location and thriving trade in the ancient world. Tyre was a major Phoenician port city, renowned for its maritime trade and skilled merchants. The city's wealth was largely due to its ability to navigate and dominate trade routes across the Mediterranean. This skill in trading is reminiscent of the wisdom and understanding attributed to Solomon in 1 Kings 10:23-24, where his wealth and wisdom attracted traders and dignitaries from all over the world. The emphasis on "great skill" suggests a God-given ability that was meant to be used for good but was instead used for self-aggrandizement.

you have increased your wealth
The accumulation of wealth is a central theme here, reflecting the material prosperity that often accompanies successful trade. In biblical times, wealth was seen as a sign of blessing, but it also came with the responsibility to use it wisely and justly. The increase in wealth can be compared to the blessings given to Israel when they followed God's commandments (Deuteronomy 28:1-14). However, the misuse of wealth is warned against in scriptures such as 1 Timothy 6:10, which states that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. The wealth of Tyre, while a testament to its success, became a snare leading to pride and eventual downfall.

but your heart has grown proud because of it
Pride is a recurring theme in the Bible, often leading to a fall (Proverbs 16:18). The heart, in biblical terms, represents the center of one's being, including emotions, will, and intellect. The pride of the ruler of Tyre is akin to the pride of Lucifer described in Isaiah 14:12-15, where a desire to ascend above God led to his downfall. This pride is also reminiscent of Nebuchadnezzar's pride in Daniel 4:30-37, where he boasted of his achievements and was subsequently humbled by God. The warning here is clear: pride in one's achievements, especially when they lead to self-reliance and a turning away from God, results in judgment. The ruler's pride is a cautionary tale of how wealth and success can corrupt the heart, leading to spiritual blindness and separation from God.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Ezekiel
A prophet of God who ministered to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. He is known for his vivid visions and symbolic actions.

2. The Prince of Tyre
The primary subject of Ezekiel 28, representing the ruler of the city of Tyre, a wealthy and influential maritime city-state known for its commerce and trade.

3. Tyre
An ancient Phoenician city located on the Mediterranean coast, renowned for its wealth, trade, and skilled artisans.

4. Babylonian Exile
The period during which the Israelites were exiled from their homeland and lived in Babylon, a time of significant prophetic activity.

5. Pride
A central theme in this passage, highlighting the spiritual danger of becoming proud due to material wealth and success.

Teaching Points

The Danger of Pride
Pride can lead to spiritual blindness and separation from God. We must guard our hearts against becoming proud due to our achievements or possessions.

Wealth as a Test
Material wealth is not inherently evil, but it is a test of character. We should use our resources to glorify God and serve others, rather than allowing them to inflate our egos.

Humility Before God
True wisdom and success come from recognizing our dependence on God. We should cultivate humility and gratitude, acknowledging that all we have is from Him.

The Illusion of Self-Sufficiency
The Prince of Tyre believed his wealth made him invincible. We must remember that our security and worth are found in God, not in material possessions.

Repentance and Restoration
When we recognize pride in our hearts, we should repent and seek God's forgiveness, trusting in His grace to restore us.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the account of the Prince of Tyre serve as a warning against pride in our own lives?

2. In what ways can wealth and success lead to a proud heart, and how can we guard against this?

3. How does the theme of pride in Ezekiel 28:5 connect with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure that our wealth and skills are used for God's glory rather than personal pride?

5. How can we cultivate a heart of humility and gratitude in a culture that often values material success and self-sufficiency?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Proverbs 16:18
This verse warns that pride precedes destruction, echoing the theme of Ezekiel 28:5 where the Prince of Tyre's pride leads to his downfall.

1 Timothy 6:9-10
These verses discuss the dangers of desiring wealth, which can lead to ruin and destruction, similar to the prideful heart of the Prince of Tyre.

James 4:6
This verse emphasizes that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, reinforcing the message of humility found in Ezekiel 28:5.