QT 26/08/2025 Tue. Ezekiel 31 The Fall of the Proud 骄傲者的倾覆

QT 26/08/2025 Tue. Ezekiel 31 The Fall of the Proud
READ http://www.esv.org/eze31

📖 Scripture focus:

"Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches and forest shade, and of towering height, its top among the clouds... Therefore thus says the Lord God: Because it towered high and set its top among the clouds, and its heart was proud of its height, I will give it into the hand of a mighty one of the nations. He shall surely deal with it as its wickedness deserves."
— Ezekiel 31:3, 10–11 (ESV)

🔍 Reflection

In Ezekiel 31, God gives Egypt a warning through a powerful metaphor: Assyria, once mighty like a towering cedar of Lebanon, was brought down because of its pride. Though it was admired by the nations, clothed in splendor, and deeply rooted in strength, it forgot its place before God.

This is a timeless truth: pride always precedes a fall. When nations or individuals exalt themselves, trusting in their power, beauty, or influence rather than in the Lord, they make themselves enemies of God. Assyria was once unmatched, yet God humbled it. Egypt was being warned—and so are we.

✝️ Gospel Insight

The story of Scripture is not just about nations rising and falling—it’s about the proud being humbled and the humble being lifted up. In Jesus, we see the opposite of Assyria’s pride:

“Though he was in the form of God, he did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself…” (Philippians 2:6–7)

Jesus descended in humility so that we, proud sinners, might be lifted by grace. At the cross, the judgment we deserve fell on Him. He became the tree cut down—so we could be planted by streams of living water.

🙌 Application

(1) Guard Your Heart Against Pride

Are you depending on your success, status, or abilities? Ask God to show you areas where you are standing tall in self-reliance instead of kneeling in surrender.

(2) Recognize God's Sovereignty

God is over every nation, ruler, and individual. He raises and brings down according to His will. Trust Him not only as Saviour, but as Lord over your life, your plans, and your future.

(3) Live in Humble Confidence in Christ

Humility isn’t weakness—it’s knowing that your strength is not your own. Walk with boldness, not because you are tall like the cedar, but because Christ is strong in you.

🛐 Prayer

Father God, You oppose the proud but give grace to the humble. Search my heart and reveal any area where I have become self-reliant or puffed up. Remind me of Your sovereignty and mercy. Thank You for Jesus, who humbled Himself to the point of death for my sake. Teach me to walk low before You so that I may be lifted in Your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

QT 26/08/2025 星期二 . 以西结书 31 骄傲者的倾覆
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Eze/31/

📖 经文重点：

3 “看哪！亚述曾是黎巴嫩的香柏树，枝条秀美，林影茂密，树身高大，树顶在茂密的枝叶之上。10–11  
“‘因此，主耶和华这样说：因为它树身高大，树顶在茂密的枝叶之上，又因它高大而心骄气傲，11 我就把它交在列国中为首的人手中，他必定对付它；因着它的罪恶，我就把它驱逐出去。——以西结书31:3, 10–11.

🔍 反思

在以西结书31章中，上帝通过一个强大的比喻向埃及发出警告：亚述曾如黎巴嫩的香柏树般高大，却因骄傲而被推翻。尽管它曾被列国称赞，身着华美，根基深厚，却忘记了自己在神面前的地位。

这是一个永恒的真理：骄傲总在跌倒之前。当国家或个人自高自大，倚靠自己的力量、美貌或影响力而非倚靠耶和华时，他们便成了上帝的敌人。亚述曾无与伦比，但上帝使它谦卑。埃及正受到警告——我们也是如此。

✝️ 福音洞见

圣经的故事不仅仅是关于国家兴衰——它是关于骄傲者被贬低，谦卑者被高举。在耶稣身上，我们看到与亚述骄傲相反的景象：

6 他本来有　神的形象，却不坚持自己与　神平等的地位，7 反而倒空自己，取了奴仆的形象，成为人的样式；”（腓立比书2:6–7）

耶稣以谦卑降世，好叫我们这些骄傲的罪人能因恩典得蒙拯救。在十字架上，我们应得的审判落在了祂身上。祂成了被砍下的树木——好叫我们能栽种在活水的溪流旁。

🙌 应用

(1) 谨防骄傲

你是否依赖自己的成功、地位或能力？求神向你显明那些你以自以为是站立，而非以顺服跪下的领域。

(2) 认识神的主权

神掌管万国、君王和个人。祂按自己的旨意兴起或降卑。不仅信靠祂为救主，更要信靠祂为生命、计划和未来的掌权者。

(3) 在基督里以谦卑的信心生活

谦卑并非软弱——而是知道自己的力量并非来自自己。要勇敢前行，不是因为你像香柏树般高大，而是因为基督在你里面刚强。

🛐 祷告

天父上帝，你抵挡骄傲的人，却赐恩典给谦卑的人。求你察看我的心，揭示我任何自以为是或自高自大的地方。提醒我你的主权和怜悯。感谢你赐下耶稣，祂为我卑微自己，甚至至于死。教导我在你面前谦卑行走，好叫我在你的恩典中被高举。奉耶稣的名，阿们。