The Devil's Artillery Against Jesus Christ (Ezekiel 25:1-17; 26:1-3)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
26 September 2021
The world has oppressed believers from the dawn of life.
The book of Ezekiel gives examples of the nature of this age-long oppression.
When Israel was being chastised by the Lord the surrounding nations rejoiced.
The Ammonites expressed a malicious joy over Israel's plight. It clapped its hands and stomped its feet with delight when Israel was suffering. It perceived in Israel's humiliation the triumph of heathenism over the God-revealed religion of Israel.
The nation of Moab refused to recognise the uniqueness of God’s people saying the house of Judah was like all other nations. It refused to accept distinctions which God himself had established.
The people of Edom were guilty of extreme cruelty toward Israel. It took vicious vengeance on Israel.
The Philistines harboured an old perpetual hatred of the people of God and this led to its desire to destroy Israel.
The people of Tyre were guilty of envy. When Israel was humbled Tyre desired all that Israel possessed. Envy was at heart of Tyre.
Note that all these manifestations of evil toward God's people were present in the Garden of Eden. There is nothing new under the sun.
In Eden the devil sought to destroy man's relationship with the Creator. He showed his cruelty having no regard for the lasting good of Adam and Eve. The devil was envious of the Son of God and sight to usurp his authority. The devil’s hatred of the Son of God is perpetual.
Note also that the oppression present in Eden and against Israel was also present when Jesus was crucified.
The people had joy over the death of Jesus. They had come to see the spectacle of Jesus dying and the riddance of Israel's troublemaker.
Note that the death of Jesus was an assault on the uniqueness of his person. As far as the people were concerned Jesus was not the Messiah. In their eyes there was no distinctiveness in Jesus. This denial of distinctions was present in Eden, present at Israel's humiliation, and now present at the crucifixion of Jesus.
The crucifixion was cruel. It was a violent manifestation of hatred (John 7:7) and envy (Matt.27:18).
We note next that Israel had to absorb all the oppression that came its way. The Lord Jesus also absorbed all the devil's artillery and died. Satan fired all his shots at Jesus and Jesus took it all.
But Satanic artillery did not prevail for Jesus rose from death. Death had no dominion over him. It was but for a moment. Jesus rose. The resurrected life is forever. Hallelujah.
Jesus cannot be touched by the devil for the devil has no answer to resurrection. He has nothing left to fire at Jesus. Jesus has triumphed.
Finally, note that the nations oppressing Israel would be judged. With that judgment would come the knowledge of the Lord. The nations shall know the way of salvation. Their guilt can be dealt with. Mercy will be extended to all who oppress Jesus and his people. Observe the wrath and mercy of God—wrath toward sinning people and mercy for their salvation.
It behoves believers to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world, even an oppressing world, for in that gospel is the salvation of world. Praise God for such a universal offer of redemption. Be sure to proclaim it to your oppressors.