Prophecies Against the Nations (Chs. 25-32). 

        These prophecies have the same general purpose as those against the nations in Isaiah and Jeremiah, the setting of God’s judgments on Israel against the general background of God’s judgments on the world. There is probably a symbolic element here as well, Tyre being chosen as representing godless commerce, and Egypt for the grossness of its idolatry (cf. 16:26, which cannot be taken literally). This element may per­haps partly explain the suspended fulfilments we referred to in ch. I.

        In certain circles it is accepted as axiomatic that 28:11-19 refers to Satan and his fall. However attractive this view, we would point out that it makes no attempt to explain the setting of the oracle; it takes it out of its context. In addition it should be noted that the rabbis never so understood it, so it is not so obvious as some think. The question is further com­plicated by many textual and linguistic problems in the pas­sage. It is generally overlooked that this view tacitly attri­butes to cherub (28:14) a meaning that is not readily dis­coverable in other Scripture references. In spite of all the difficulties involved, we believe that the prophecy does refer to the king of Tyre, though we believe that as a picture of human pride it may be used like Isa. 14:4-21 as a type of Satan.

        Advocates of soul sleep are given to using 32:17-32 as a proof that in the Old Testament Sheol is in all respects equiva­lent to the grave. Those who have tried to grapple with the problems of Ezekiel’s symbolism are not likely to take this unique passage literally. A doctrine needs a more positive basis than a passage like this will afford.