Veteran your study methods are found extremely wanting. You have disregarded the "whole" context of Ezek 28 all becuase you desire to see devils.
[sup]1[/sup]The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,
[sup]2[/sup]Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:
[sup]13[/sup]Thou (prince of Tyre) hast been in Eden* the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
[sup]14[/sup]Thou (prince of Tyre) art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
* Before we consider the above you may also like to review the figurative language used of Pharaoh, king of Egypt who is also depicted as being a cedar in Lebanon taller than any of the other trees of Eden (trees are used here symbolically for nations). (Ezek. 31:2, 3, 8, 9, 16, 18).
Please note: the reference to Eden does not suggest at all that Pharaoh lived at the same time as Adam and Eve.
It must be said, if this passage is used support a supernatural monster with its current context and lessons here presented what exactly warrants the introduction this make believe being?
What does this monster have to do with the King of Tyre?
"Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." (Ezek 28: 15).
For those who would argue against this referring to the literal king of Tyre because it mentions he was "perfect". We find the Hebrew word "tamim" translated "perfect" means "perfect, plain, whole, complete". Noah was a "just man and perfect" (Gen. 6:9 - same Hebrew word, "tamim"), but there is no question of him being an angel. Also Job is mentioned as being perfect “Tam” and we know he also was not an angel.
Those who like to twist this section of Scripture sometimes argue the literal king of Tyre would have been procreated, not created (Ezek 28:13, 15), allowing them say it was an angel. But again Hebrew word, "bara" translated "create" means "to be prepared, formed, created." The exact same word is used for the creation of "people" in Psa. 102:18) and the Ammonites in Ezek. 21:30. Clearly from these passages the word “bara” cannot imply the creation of angels.
We find the King of Tyre held a very privileged position with regards to his relationship with Israel. King David and Hiram had been close friends (2 Sam. 5:11; 1 Kings 5:1, 6, 7, 10) the record reveals and Hiram and Solomon had made a league in which Hiram supplied materials for the building of the temple. (1 Kings 5:12, 17, 18). The language here in Ezek. 28:13-18 is used symbolically for the relationship of Israel and Tyre (inferring divine favour which rested upon Tyre because of its close association with Israel).
Consider the following:
"Every precious stone was thy covering" (Ezek 28:13); "thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire." (Ezek 28:14).
Clearly in reference to the stones set in the breastplate of the high priest of Israel. (Exod. 39:10-14). To Israel they are "stones of fire" in that they shone forth a brilliant light of the Shekinah glory of the sanctuary. These stones as we are told symbolized the twelve tribes of Israel. (Exod. 39:1).
But how do these stones relate to the King of Tyre?
We are being told he walked in the midst of these stones of fire when he was allowed by God to move among the children of Israel (as in the preparation of the materials for the temple). And being associated with Israel and receiving the promised blessings in Abraham. Gen 12:3
Israel provided a "covering" for Tyre on the basis of the decree in Genesis 12:3: 'I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee". God blessed the house of Potiphar because of Joseph:
". . . the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field." (Gen. 39:5). In the same way here in Ezek 28 Tyre was "covered" by Israel covenant relationship with God.
"Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth." (Ezek 28:14). The cherubim were figures of beaten gold at either end of the mercy seat. (Exod. 37:7-9). Their wings overshadowed the mercy seat with which they were of one piece. (Exod. 25:19, 20). Although the translation of the Hebrew is uncertain, (accepting the A.V.), the suggestion may be that Tyre as a great mercantile power was privileged to cast its "wings" over Israel It was the abuse of this exalted position that was a factor in the ruin of Tyre. (Ezek 28: 4, 5).
"Thou wast upon the holy mountain of God." (Ezek 28:14). This mountain is no other than Mt. Zion, the future capital city of God's house of prayer for all people. (Isa. 2:2, 3; 56:7). Heaven is a Spiritual realm and to imply this holy mountain is speaking of Heaven is in error. This "holy mountain of God" is on the earth (See Ezek. 20:40).
"Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities." (Ezek. 28:18).
I find this verse very interesting as it “may” imply the King of Tyre set up some forms of worship comparable to Israel. Hiram was "ever a lover of David" and rejoiced with Solomon in the building of the temple. 1 Kings 5:1-12. So it makes sense the king of Tyre learned about God's kingdom in Israel from these two kings of Israel.
Tyre's sanctuaries were located in Israel when God showed favour to the King. I believe the King failed to appreciate the privileged position she had with Israel.
You will recall when Nebuchadnezzar took Jerusalem (586 B.C.), the prince of Tyrus uttered "Aha, the gate of the peoples is broken, it has swung open to me; I shall be replenished, now that she is laid waste." (Ezek 26:2 R.S.V.). From his heart in place of blessing Israel he decreed a curse Gen. 12:3: "I will . . . curse him that curseth thee." Often is the case when nations and empire become great in their own minds they fall. Tyre had become self centred in its economic interests in this Tyre would be reduced to ashes.
"I will bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee." (Ezek 28:18). The moment Tyre entered this relationship with Israel it was impossible to end it with impunity. Like that example of Nadab and Abihu if you mistreat that which is sacred and holy it will only result in a “ fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD." (Lev. 10:2).
The lesson for me is clearly the witnessing of Israel to the surrounding Nations; in blessing these nations God would hope they would see God through His marvellous works but often the case like Sodom and Gomorrah. God would only tolerate their sinfulness and visit them with judgement. (Gen. 19:24, 25).
Context always reveals truth.
Alethos