Observation: For at least the second time (maybe more), Ezekiel invokes the wisdom of Daniel. Daniel and Ezekiel are contemporaries, and may have even been acquaintances, as they were both members of the first wave of exiles taken from Jerusalem. Ezekiel became just an exile, who was then called to a very specific prophetic mission. Daniel was made an officer in the king's palace, where his submission to the word of God made him the eventual leader of the magi ... the wise men.
In other words, Daniel is known to all of Babylon as the wisest of the wise, and his faith is at least understood by - if known personally known to - Ezekiel. So pronouncing the king of Tyre wiser than Daniel is no small thing. Ezekiel says the king of Tyre knows every secret, and by his own wisdom he has acquired great wealth. However, he is about to pronounce another statement ... that by being prideful in that personal wisdom, he is about to be completely destroyed.
Daniel was not 'wise' by his own knowledge, but rather because he received revelation from the Lord, and was wise enough to listen to the Lord. The king of Tyre is exactly the opposite. He is 'wise' by his own knowledge, never seeking the Lord. As a result, his actions of betrayed the Lord and his people, and doom will now be upon him.
Application: The lesson couldn't be more obvious ... personal wisdom is dangerous. Personal wisdom leads to arrogance, and leads away from dependency upon the Lord.
I am sure Daniel was super-smart. However, he used his intelligence to seek and then understand the Lord's guidance. This is true wisdom, a fact we are reminded of over and over again in scriptures. Someone like the king of Tyre was SO smart that God himself declared him "wiser than Daniel". However, using that intelligence to solve problems on your own is a path to destruction.
I no longer want to be smart in a way where I can solve problems with my own logic. I would rather find God's instructions to every problem, and to know that my own intelligence is meaningless. I know I'll never be Daniel, but I sure don't want to even come close to being the king of Tyre.
Prayer: Lord, may I seek your will in all matters, today and every day. I do not want to lean on my own understanding, be it related to my life, my work, my family, or my plans. And when I say 'thy will be done', may it be clear I am not just referring to everything in your kingdom, but also to my very life itself. Amen.
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