Ezekiel 28: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Ezekiel 28 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Yahweh speaks to the prince of Tyre and tells him he is not God, despite his pride (vv. 1-2). The prince is wise and wealthy, having gained riches through his understanding and trading (vv.

Key verse

“Son of man, tell the prince of Tyre, ‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh: “Because your heart is lifted up, and you have said, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of God, in the middle of the seas;’ yet you are man, and not God, though you set your heart as the heart of God—”
Ezekiel 28:2 (WEB)

Outline

Ezekiel 28:1–2 God's Word to the Prince of Tyre
Ezekiel 28:3–5 The Prince's Wisdom and Wealth
Ezekiel 28:6–10 Consequences of Pride
Ezekiel 28:11–19 Lament for the King of Tyre
Ezekiel 28:20–24 Judgment Against Sidon
Ezekiel 28:25–26 Promise of Restoration for Israel

Discussion questions

In v2, what claim does the prince of Tyre make about himself?
What does the phrase 'I am a god' in v2 indicate about the prince of Tyre's attitude?
In vv. 15-16, what does 'unrighteousness' suggest about the prince's downfall?
The image of the 'anointed cherub' in v14: how does this relate to the prince's fall?
When have you felt your success led you to act pridefully like the prince in v6?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Ezekiel 28: Ezekiel 34, Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 27.

Before next time: read Ezekiel 29.