The Bible Recap – Day 249 (Ezekiel 31-33) - Year 7
Host: Tara-Leigh Cobble
Date: September 6, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode of The Bible Recap, Tara-Leigh Cobble explores Ezekiel chapters 31-33, focusing on God’s prophecies against Egypt and Pharaoh, the metaphorical downfall of great nations, Ezekiel’s role as Israel’s watchman, and a powerful reflection on repentance and God’s character. Bringing her trademark clarity and warmth, Tara-Leigh offers historical context, personal insights, and theological nuance to these dense prophetic passages.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Assyria as a Warning to Egypt (Ezekiel 31)
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Context: God, addressing Pharaoh and the Egyptians, uses Assyria as a cautionary example.
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Metaphor of the Cedar:
- Assyria is likened to the “tallest and most significant cedar tree,” once the epitome of power and beauty but ultimately felled by Babylon ([01:00]-[01:50]).
- Quote:
“God compares Assyria to the tallest and most significant cedar tree that has ever existed...the giant cedar tree got chopped down by Babylon.” — Tara-Leigh Cobble ([00:20])
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God’s Sovereignty:
- God is both the provider (“I made it beautiful” — v.9) and the terminator (“God commands it to be chopped down” — v.11).
- The fate of nations is in God’s hands.
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Purpose of the Story:
- No nation is indestructible.
- Egypt will share Assyria’s fate—eventual downfall ([01:40]).
2. Lament and Metaphor for Egypt (Ezekiel 32)
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Pattern of Prophecy:
- After a prophecy of destruction, Ezekiel delivers a lament for Pharaoh.
- Pharaoh sees himself as a lion—God calls him a “water dragon,” a recurring image (see ch. 29).
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Judgment Imagery:
- Divine net imagery: Pharaoh and the Egyptians will be caught and left vulnerable, “eaten by wild animals” ([02:19]).
- Emphasis on metaphorical, not necessarily literal, fulfillment.
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Consequences for Nations:
- Nations will not celebrate Egypt’s fall but will be terrified, understanding their own vulnerability.
- Quote:
“It’s a terrifying but important reminder. Countries aren’t built to last. Only one kingdom won’t crumble.” — Tara-Leigh Cobble ([03:05])
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Cultural Insult:
- God tells Egypt they will “share the pit” with “uncircumcised nations”—controversial as Egypt practiced circumcision and despised the uncircumcised, intensifying the shame ([04:00]).
- Memorable Analogy:
“That would kind of be like God telling the Philadelphia Eagles they’d share a grave with the Dallas Cowboys.” — Tara-Leigh Cobble ([04:17])
3. Ezekiel as the Watchman (Ezekiel 33)
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Return to Chapter 3 Theme:
- Ezekiel is the “watchman” who sounds the trumpet to warn of coming danger ([05:10]).
- Responsibility: Ezekiel must be obedient (sound the alarm), but he isn’t accountable for people’s responses.
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Role Clarified:
- Ezekiel can only proclaim; the Spirit handles heart change and behavior ([05:35]).
- Relatable Analogy:
“He’s been blowing the horn for 33 chapters and Israel is still like, ‘do you guys hear something? Whose ringtone is that?’” — Tara-Leigh Cobble ([05:45])
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Repentance and Righteousness:
- It’s never too late to repent—true repentance reveals a new heart.
- Good deeds alone don’t save; the state of the heart is what matters to God ([06:40]).
- Rebuke of “moralistic therapeutic deism”—the idea that God just wants us to be good people and happy is not scriptural ([07:25]).
- Quote:
“God is very clear…their actions aren’t saving them. He isn’t putting good deeds and bad deeds on a scale and weighing them.” — Tara-Leigh Cobble ([07:01])
4. Fulfillment of Prophecy and Ezekiel’s Muteness (Ezekiel 33:21-22)
- Jerusalem’s Fall:
- A fugitive brings word of Jerusalem’s destruction, as predicted.
- Explanation of Muteness:
- Ezekiel was only mute in everyday conversation, not prophecy; he could only speak God’s messages until the news of Jerusalem arrived ([08:20]).
5. God’s Heart and Delight (God Shot)
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Key Verse Highlight:
- Ezekiel 33:11, echoed from 18:23:
“I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked.” ([09:35])
- God’s delight is in repentance and salvation, not judgment.
- Ezekiel 33:11, echoed from 18:23:
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Character of God:
- Scripture invites us to see God’s joy and love expressed most fully in saving and sanctifying people ([10:10]).
- Quote:
“His delight is the best thing that has ever happened to me. He’s where the joy is.” — Tara-Leigh Cobble ([10:50])
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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Assyria’s Downfall:
“He brought it to life and He can bring it to an end. Ezekiel tells this story about Assyria for two reasons. A, he wants to illustrate that no nation is indestructible. And B, he wants to let Egypt know that they will see the same end as Assyria.” ([00:55])
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Seeing God’s Character:
“So if God does not delight in the death of the wicked, then he does delight in their salvation. God’s joy is expressed in salvation.” ([09:45])
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That “God Shot” Personal Reflection:
“His delight is the best thing that has ever happened to me. He’s where the joy is.” ([10:50])
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:20 – Assyria as a “tallest cedar”: illustration of national pride and downfall
- 01:40 – Warning for Egypt: no nation is indestructible
- 03:05 – Lament for Pharaoh and Egypt; God’s kingdom is the only lasting kingdom
- 04:17 – Analogy: Eagles and Cowboys—Egypt’s humiliation
- 05:10 – Ezekiel’s role as watchman
- 07:01 – Salvation not through good deeds: moralistic therapeutic deism refuted
- 08:20 – Ezekiel’s muteness and fulfillment of prophecy
- 09:35 – God’s pleasure in salvation: “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked.”
- 10:50 – Personal God Shot: “He’s where the joy is.”
Final Thoughts & Resources
- Tomorrow starts the second half of Ezekiel; a 7-minute video overview is linked in the show notes.
- DGroup is recommended for deeper study and fellowship. Details at mydgroup.org.
Summary in a Sentence:
Tara-Leigh Cobble guides listeners through God’s warnings to proud nations, clarifies the true path to salvation, highlights God’s heart for mercy over judgment, and illustrates the enduring joy found in God’s delight—reminding us that “He’s where the joy is.”