How does Ezekiel 28:21 demonstrate God's sovereignty over nations like Sidon? Setting the Stage—Ezekiel’s Call and Sidon’s Story • Ezekiel is already confronting Tyre (Ezekiel 26–28) when the Lord suddenly widens the lens to include Sidon, another influential Phoenician city. • Though powerful on the Mediterranean coast, Sidon is geographically small—yet it ends up on God’s prophetic radar. Key Text “Son of man, set your face toward Sidon and prophesy against her.” (Ezekiel 28:21) Observations That Highlight Sovereignty • “Son of man” reminds us the prophet is merely human; God alone initiates the message. • “Set your face” conveys deliberate, resolute focus—Ezekiel is to adopt God’s stance toward Sidon, not his own. • “Prophesy against her” declares that Sidon’s fate lies not in politics or military might but in God’s revealed word. How the Verse Demonstrates God’s Sovereign Rule • God singles out a specific nation by name—He knows every kingdom’s location, culture, and sin. • He dictates the very content of international affairs: Sidon’s destiny is announced before it happens (cf. Isaiah 46:9-10). • The Lord bypasses human diplomacy; a lone exile in Babylon receives authority to address a seaside powerhouse. • By moving from Tyre to Sidon without pause, God shows no realm is outside His jurisdiction (Psalm 22:28). • Prophetic judgment and eventual restoration (v. 22-24) unfold on His timetable, proving “He reduces nations to nothing” (Isaiah 40:17). Supporting Passages Underscoring the Point • Job 12:23 — “He makes nations great and destroys them; He enlarges nations, then disperses them.” • Daniel 4:35 — “No one can hold back His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” • Acts 17:26 — “He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.” • Proverbs 21:1 — “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; He directs it wherever He pleases.” Why This Matters Now • Every nation, however sophisticated, remains accountable to the Creator. • God’s plans never hinge on majority opinion or geopolitical strength. • History is not random; it is scripted by the One who “works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Ephesians 1:11). • Believers can rest, serve, and pray with confidence, knowing the rise or fall of modern “Sidons” is already under divine oversight. |
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