Son of man, set thy face against Zidon, and prophesy against it,
God commanded Ezekiel to set his face against Zidon, also called Sidon, and to prophesy and speak against it in a stand of prophetic opposition and judgment. That command was part of the warning against the rebellion of Tyrus and Zidon, introducing the judgments by which God would be glorified and known as the Lord.
The chapter primarily concerns Lucifer, with Satan presented as the actual king of Tyre because he fully controlled that government, which shows that earthly rulers and nations can serve as Satan's agents. It also has broader significance as a general movement that will be witnessed, and it must be read in connection with God's dealings with fallen angels and fallen people. Lucifer's self-exaltation described in the chapter can influence people to oppose God and persecute others, and that history is to be repeated.
The verse exposes how Satan works in disguise to fill openings, diverting minds from the special light and the work of saving perishing souls to unessential details, to jots and tittles, and bringing confusion into the ranks by enlarging little differences until they become prominent. The chapter is a grand work to be read and studied because it exposes how strange spirits operate, warning truth-seekers to follow all the light God has given so they will not be deceived in the last days.
God commanded Ezekiel to set his face against Zidon, also called Sidon, and to prophesy and speak against it in a stand of prophetic opposition and judgment. That command was part of the warning against the rebellion of Tyrus and Zidon, introducing the judgments by which God would be glorified and known as the Lord.
The chapter primarily concerns Lucifer, with Satan presented as the actual king of Tyre because he fully controlled that government, which shows that earthly rulers and nations can serve as Satan's agents. It also has broader significance as a general movement that will be witnessed, and it must be read in connection with God's dealings with fallen angels and fallen people. Lucifer's self-exaltation described in the chapter can influence people to oppose God and persecute others, and that history is to be repeated.
The verse exposes how Satan works in disguise to fill openings, diverting minds from the special light and the work of saving perishing souls to unessential details, to jots and tittles, and bringing confusion into the ranks by enlarging little differences until they become prominent. The chapter is a grand work to be read and studied because it exposes how strange spirits operate, warning truth-seekers to follow all the light God has given so they will not be deceived in the last days.