Sharper Iron From Kfuo Radio

Rev. Ryan Ogrodowicz, associate pastor and headmaster at Grace Lutheran Church and School in Brenham, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezekiel 31:1-18. The LORD speaks against Pharaoh particularly. If he would compare himself to Assyria in greatness, the LORD invites Pharaoh to consider that nation’s outcome. On the one hand, Assyria grew up as a well-nourished tree, providing a home for all kinds of people. This was the LORD’s doing. Yet Assyria received these gifts with pride instead of humility, and so the LORD gave Assyria into the hands of Babylon. The once-proud tree was stripped of its branches, leaving those from many nations without a refuge. The LORD sent Assyria down into death and the grave, leaving their boastful claims without any backing at all. The example of Assyria served as a warning to Pharaoh, who could expect his pride to lead him in the same direction. This text calls all of us to repent of our pride and to find our refuge only in the tree of life that Jesus has made for us i