EZEKIEL - CHAPTERS 23-28 - "They shall know that i am the LORD GOD."
And They Shall Know that I am The Lord God”
Samaria, Jerusalem, and the Seven Nations
Ezekiel 23-28
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Tuesday Bible Study, April 8, 2008; March 16, 2026
As we study these passages, we can draw a parallel with the present day judgments of war of Palestine; Ammon; Moab and Edom (Jordan); Philistia; Tyre and Zidon (Lebanon); and Egypt. We can identify the mixture of the spirits of Aholah and Aholibah as the worldly spirits and worldly alliances both in the nations and worldly religions.
In Ezekiel, the phrase, “and they shall know that I am the LORD GOD is used seven times in his judgment of the priests (13:9) and the nations (23:49; 24:24; 24:27; 28:24; 29:16). Let us trust God as we are again watching the judgment of the nations, by the Hand of God that the end result will be to His Glory and they shall know that He is LORD GOD.
Chapter 23 is the final oracle about the fall of Jerusalem. It, too, is a lengthy parable. In chapter 16, the emphasis was on idolatries as breaking the marriage relationship and the sacred Covenant with God. Here it is on the nation’s Worldly Spirit and Worldly Alliances for safety and national security. There are two sisters, insatiable in their lewdness, Aholah the elder, which was Samaria, the Northern Kingdom, and Aholibah the younger, which was Jerusalem, the Southern Kingdom.
Aholah means her tent”; she has her own tent; her tabernacle; her temple; her own habitation” and shows that the Northern Kingdom had a Sanctuary or Temple, but it was not the Lord’s. Today Samaria is in the mountains in the northern part of the West Bank. This is now under Palestinian Authority and a continual source of conflict in the Middle East. This was the capital of Israel and they had their own temple at Mt. Gerizin. Samaria’s lovers are the nations with whom she formed an alliance, first with Assyria, then with the land of Egypt (5-8). The Kingdom of Israel sought to play off Assyria and Egypt (Hos. 7:11; 11 Kg. 17:4), with the result that Shalmaneser, having discovered King Hoshea’s treachery, besieged Samaria and took her sons and daughters into exile (9-10). Judah, instead of having been warned by the fate of her sister Israel, courted alliances with Assyria, Chaldea, and Egypt, being fascinated by their splendor and idolatries which incited Judah to cultivate religious, political, and commercial relations with all those nations.
Aholibah means “My tent in her;” my temple was in the southern Kingdom”. God’s sanctuary or His Temple was in the Southern Kingdom. Judah having gone the same way as her sister must also drink of the same cup of judgment (22-35). God declares unto Aholah and Aholibah their abominable idolatries as the cause and the basis of their judgment (36-49).
In the light of the Church, Aholah or Samaria, speaks to us of the mixture of the Spirit and the flesh. There are those who are preoccupied with the emphasis of their tent (their issues and their doctrines). Aholibah then represents all those who have not gone beyond Pentecost in their understanding.
Bro. Britton comments on this: “Aholah, Samaria, is a half-breed…I have seen a tragedy in the anointed people who received the Holy Spirit…they want the anointing of God but they want to stay in their system …half anointed of God and half led by men. They have the leadership of the Spirit to a degree …they enjoy their prayer tongues …their religious life is ruled by their headquarters …ruled by man …and there are men preaching this… ‘Get the Holy Spirit but stay in your system … but they find out that their system will not tolerate them for too long. It will eventually kill that Spirit that is within them …when it threatens, the denomination won’t stand for it.” (BB)
23:49: And they shall recompense your lewdness upon you, and you shall bear the sins of your idols and you shall know that I am the Lord God.
We can further parallel this chapter with Rev. 18: 1-5.
The prophecies of chapters 20-23 were given in the seventh year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity (20:1). The prophecy in chapter 24 was given two years later, the ninth year after the deportation. This would be about January 588B.C. This chapter, which deals with the fall of Jerusalem ends with the irreversible word that the judgment of God must fall on His city and His people. We have heard the parable of the Caldron (1-4) and the death of Ezekiel’s wife (15-27). The death of his wife took place on the day the siege began. This was a heart-rending sign to the exiles that their beloved Jerusalem and the Temple was now to be taken from them. Silence was imposed upon Ezekiel until news came of the fallen city some three years later (27) (33: 21-22).
It is the view of Bro. Bill Britton and Kelly Varner that Babylon prophetically throughout these chapters means “confusion.” – “Religious Confusion. It is important to understand that the spirit of Babylon is that which builds all the man-made kingdoms. It is significant that the head of Nebuchadnezzar’s image was of gold and represented Babylon. Babylon was the head (man’s thinking – carnal mind). It reveals man’s way in opposition to the divine nature, the very spirit of antichrist.
The parable of the boiling pot (compare 11:3) shows the complete destruction and irrevocable doom of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar in a siege that lasted about two years, fulfilling the punishments threatened in 23:22-49.
The sign of the death of Ezekiel’s wife reveals the destruction of Jerusalem to be an overwhelming blow which will stupefy the people with grief too deep for tears and a sorrow too great for expression. 24: 16-18: Son of man, behold, I take away from you the desire of your eyes with a stroke: yet neither shall you mourn nor weep, neither shall your tears run down. Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead bind the tiara of your head upon you, and put on your shoes upon your feet, and cover not your lips, and eat not the bread of men. So, I spoke to the people in the morning: and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded.
The wounding of Ezekiel by the stroke of God with the suppression of any outward show of grief provides and almost awful and frightening insight into the possible sufferings of a prophet who must continue his ministry in a state of hidden grief. The prophet’s message is not only conveyed by his words, but also by his actions (17-19) that are sometimes utterly contrary to custom and propriety. This event will end the prophet’s ministry as a sign 24:24: Thus, Ezekiel is to you a sign: according to all that he has done shall you do and when this comes, you shall know that I am the Lord God.
This ends the period of silence as imposed in 3:26-27 as the messenger from Jerusalem arrives in Chaldea almost three years after the beginning of the siege.
Ez. 24: 25-27: Also, you son of man, shall it not be in the day when I take from them their strength, the joy of their glory, the desire of their eyes, and that whereupon they set their minds, their sons, and their daughters. That he that escapes in that day shall come to you, to cause you to hear it with your ears? In that day shall your mouth be opened to him who escaped, and you shall speak, and be no more dumb: and you shall be a sign to them: and they shall know that I am the Lord.
Summary of Ezekiel’s Ministry to this point:
SEVEN NATIONS
Chapters 25-32 contain prophecies against the nations who were in contact with Israel. Seven Nations were singled out for condemnation: Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, and Sidon; and Egypt. The nations were in sequence from northeast to west. The dates vary. These prophecies against the nations were inserted between the predictions before and after the siege of Jerusalem. Thus, those of chapter 25, are to be dated soon after 586 B.C. because they presuppose the fall of Jerusalem. The occasion is the delight of the Nations in the city’s fate. The judgment of these same nations is covered in Isaiah 13-19 and Jeremiah 46-51. To cover all three books, would take weeks of intense study. That would be a feast to my Spirit, but not necessarily a good Bible Study for a group. This can be items that we cover from time to time as we search out prophecy of the present day judgments of God.
Chapter 25 of Ezekiel is the Word of the Lord God to Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia. We see the sins of these nations against Israel and identify the sins of the church against one another which is against the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Ammonites speak of the principle of mixture. Bro. Britton likens the Ammonites to the flesh, especially fleshly pride. . They lived on the edge of the desert east of Jordan and north of the territory of Moab. Their capital was Rabbah, the present Amman. They had joined Babylon against Judah about 600 B.C. (11 Kg. 24:2). Of incestuous origin, Ammon had ever been hostile to God’s people. (Gen. 19: 37-38; Judg. 10:1; 1 Sam. 11; 11 Sam, 10; 12: 26-32; Amos 1: 13-15). The Lord’s controversy with Ammon concerned their joy over the profanation of the sanctuary of the Lord. (You shall know that I am the Lord.” Verse 7b)
Bro. Bill Britton calls the Moabites a lazy people Jer. 48:11-12: Moab has been at ease from his youth, and he has settled on his lees, and has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither has he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed. Therefore, behold, the days come, says the Lord, that I will send to him wanderers, that shall cause him to wander, and shall empty his vessels, and break their bottles. The origin of the Moabites is given in Gen. 19: 37-38. Their territory was the area south of the Arnon River along the lower region of the Dead Sea. The sin of Moab was that they claimed that Israel was like all the other nations, which was scorn (Amos. 2: 1-3). “And you shall Know that I am the Lord (Verse 11b).
He shows that Edom is Esau, or the principle of work in the strength of the flesh, or the natural man. Edom was a descendant of Esau. Edom, or Seir, was related more closely to Israel than either Ammon or Moab (Gen. 25:23). They settled the territory south of Moab from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. They were conquered and almost annihilated by David, subjugated by Amaziah and Uzziah, they won back their independence at the time of the Syro-Ephariamitic invasion of Judah during the reign of Ahaz. Hostility to Israel was plainly laid to revenge. “And they shall know my vengeance, says the Lord God” (Verse 14).
Bro. Britton: “The Philistines represent Demonic spirits in the land, the perpetual enemies of Israel. We understand those demons as they attack the work of the Lord. The Philistines speak of the principle of the earthy, carnal mind and those who wallow in the same. They were Israel’s perpetual enemy. They can also be likened to demonic powers with Goliath as their champion. God accused the Philistines of having been motivated repeatedly by revenge and having carried on a perpetual enmity against Israel. Among the enemies of Israel, the Philistines were referred to in the O.T. than any other nation. They gave their name to the entire land although they were able to subjugate to their rule and government only a small portion of the coast. They constantly harassed and oppressed Israel until under governance by David, who broke their power. They were conquered by Jehoshaphat, subjugated by Uzziah, were strong under Jehoram, were powerful under Ahaz, and were subdued by Hezekiah. ‘And They shall know that I am the Lord” (Verse 17b).
The Word of Ezekiel touched the nations all about him revealing the sovereignty of the Glory of the Lord. Chapters 33-37 will reveal that the Lord will one day gather His people from all the nations (Eph. 1:10). His Glory will be over all and He will be there (Ezek. 48:35) in the midst of His whole creation. Indeed, this judgment is unto victory! (Matt. 12: 18-21).
The prophecy concerning Tyre (Lebanon) covers chapters 26-28. Tyre was an ancient city of the Phoenicians. It was a great commercial city in O.T. times and was prosperous in the Roman period even up to the fifth century. Tyre was destroyed by the Saracens during the Middle Ages and has been a sleepy Lebanese town in recent history. The city was actually composed of two parts, one of the mainland, and the other on a rocky island a half mile from the coast. During the reigns of David and Solomon, Tyre exercised a great influence on the commercial, political, and religious life of Israel. Hiram, king of Tyre, was a devoted friend of David who help him and Solomon in their building operations. Tyrians sold Jews as slaves later to the Greeks and Edomites. The prophecy set forth in chapters 26-28 have been fulfilled with unmistakable literalness (Isa. 23; Jer. 47:4).`
Ezekiel here prophesied that Tyre would become like the “top of a rock” – a bare place where fishermen would “spread nets.” Tyre was famous for its Phoenician alphabet and its purple or “royal purple” dye. Nebuchadnezzar called “king of kings” by Ezekiel, besieged Tyre for 13 years (585-573 BC) and, with its subjugation by the King of Babylon, it ceased to be an independent power. It was later subdued by the Persians and finally by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C. who conquered the insular city. The causeway from the “old” Tyre provided walls for the “new” Tyre which were 150 feet high. During the Crusades (1144 A.D.) when it was abandoned to 50-60 families who “spread their nets” on the island, bringing to pass the word of Ezekiel in detail almost 2000 years later! The god of Tyre was Melkart, an idol with hands outstretched to receive human blood.
Tyre speaks of the principle of trafficking and merchandizing, the pomp and pride of the satanic world system. God was going to judge Tyre because of her delight in Jerusalem’s overthrow to the advantage of her own. Commercial interests. Tyre speaks of the love of money (1 Tim. 6:10).
In chapter 26, we see the judgment of Tyre announced. 16:1-6: …Son of man, because Tyrus has said against Jerusalem, Aha, she is broken that was the gates of the people; she is turned unto me; I shall be replenished, now she is laid waste. Therefore, thus say the LORD GOD, Behold, I am against you, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against you as the sea causes his waves to come up. Judgment is then executed (16: 7-21). We see her sin, her coming doom, and the means of executing it and the effect to be produced upon other nations at her downfall. The “princes of the sea” (16:16) will lament her destruction as she sinks into the pit, (Sheol), the realm of the dead (26: 19-21). She had refused to help Jerusalem, being filled with pride. We are watching today as Hezbollah is being destroyed. Other nations today who have refused to help Israel may experience this same judgment.
26:18-21: Now shall the isles tremble in the day of your fall: yea, the isles that are in the sea shall be troubled at your departure. For thus says the Lord God; when I shall make you a desolate city, like the cities that are not inhabited; when I shall bring up the deep upon you, and great waters shall cover you; When I shall bring you down with them that descend into the pit, with the people of old time, and shall set you in the lower parts of the earth, in places desolate of old, with that that go down to the pit that you be not inhabited; and I shall set glory in the land of the living. I will make you a terror, and you shall be no more: though you be sought for, yet shall you never be found again, says the Lord. God.
In chapter 27, we see Tyre’s maritime fleet completely destroyed. We can align this with the destruction of Iran’s Naval fleet after Operation Epic Fury. The passage dwells on the worldwide trade, commerce, and material wealth of Tyre. We can also align this with the “oil industry” presently going through a world wide shaking and overturning. Throughout the chapter Tyre is likened to a ship that is well outfitted, strongly piloted, and ultimately shipwrecked. Tyre is personified as the mistress of the Mediterranean. The East Wind of judgment will break her. 27:26-27: Your oarsmen brought you into many waters, but the east wind broke you in the midst of the seas. Your riches, wares, and merchandise, your mariners and pilots, your caulkers and merchandisers, all your men of war who are in you, and the entire company which is in your midst, will fall into the midst of the seas on the day of your ruin.
Chapter 28 is so deep and controversial; I want to spend more time on it before I preach it. I cannot find any notes on it from 2008. I find it hard to believe I just skipped it. It is my custom to present the controversies and state what my persuasion is leaving everyone to their own persuasion.
The man who was King of Tyre was Ithobalus, II. He had such pride that he even claimed to be God and exalted his heart as the heart of God, making a suitable picture of the coming antichrist who will likewise exalt himself and claim to be God.
Satan ruled the King of Tyre, as proved by the association of Lucifer with him in 28:11-19, Satan will also rule through Antichrist (2 Th. 2:8;12; Rev. 13: 1-8).
That there is a demonic Prince of Tyre over Lebanon is no stretch for me. Ez. 28:2-7: Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, thus say the LORD GOD, “because your heart is lifted up, and you have said, ‘I am a God. I sit in the seat of God in the midst of the seas,’ and you are a man, and not God, though you set your heart as the heart of God. Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; there is no secret they can hide from you. With your wisdom and with your understanding, you have gotten riches, and have gotten gold and silver into your treasures. By your great wisdom and by your traffic have you increased your riches, and your heart is lifted up because of your riches. Therefore, thus says the LORD GOD, because you have set your heart as the heart of God; therefore, I will bring strangers unto you, the terrible of the nations and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom, and they shall defile your brightness.”
Then in 28:12-13, in the lamentation against the King of Tyre, we have the description of an angelic being who was in Eden, the Garden of God. This causes some to think this was Adam.
“You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering. The sardius, topaz, and diamond, Beryl, onyx, and jasper; sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created.”
The precious stones are attributes of God’s divine nature. We can compare with the stones on the Breast plate of the High Priest. Nine of the twelve are here mentioned. We can compare his nature with the principles of the twelve tribes. The three that are missing are included in the Septuagint. We see that Adam was musical---the origins of praise and worship on the earth. We understand that iniquity was found in Adam.
Then in 28: 14-17 we have the description of an angelic being whom we know to be a high level angel:
You were the anointed cherub who covers. I established you. You were on the holy mountain of God. You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created; until iniquity was found in you. By the abundance of your trading, You became filled with violence within; and you sinned. Therefore, I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God; and I destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the fiery stones. Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty. You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground. I laid you before kings that they might gaze at you. You defiled your sanctuaries by the multitude of your iniquities, by the iniquity of your trading. Therefore, I brought fire from your midst. It devoured you. I turned you to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all who saw you.
There is much to be said for three of the views as to whether the King of Tyre is Satan, a man, or Adam. That both Adam and King Ithobalus, II, were possessed by Satan is not a stretch for me. There have been many who have been possessed by Satan and among us are many spirits of antichrist. That the demonic King of Tyre is a fallen angel or Satan himself is not beyond my comprehension.
Ezekiel also prophesies to Zidon (28:20-26) after he deals with the King of Tyre and the spirit behind the King of Tyre. Zidon speaks of the principle of spiritual trafficking as well as human trafficking. Zidon was the seventh of the enemy people surrounding Israel that are dealt with in chapters 25-32. Sidon was twenty miles north of Tyre and was probably the parent city. It was founded by Canaan’s firstborn. Gen.10:15: Canaan begot Sidon, his firstborn and Heth. The city had been destroyed by fire after a revolt against Artaxerxes in 351 B.C. but was rebuilt later. The site is now known as Saida, a city of no great importance, but a small seaport. Apparently, Sidon was the headquarters of the idolatry connected with Baal, Ashtaroth and Tammuz (spiritual trafficking). The day of her ruin is the Day of the Lord.
A careful study of Chapter 28 would also include Isa. 14. Hopefully one day I will be led of the LORD to do a thorough study of this chapter alongside Isa. 14. However, I really do not have any questions which I need answered.
Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Eastgate Ministries Church. 1-115 West Hidden Lakes Lane, Richmond, TX.
Scripture from K.J.B. and N.K.J.V. I entered into the labors of Principles of Present Truth by: Kelly Varner and Bill Britton.