Men of Beth Togarmah exchanged
chariot horses, cavalry horses and mules for your merchandise. – Ezekiel
27:14
Today’s Scripture Reading (May 20,
2014): Ezekiel 27
The Armenian’s
trace the beginnings of their nation to a very specific date in history – and that
date is August 11, 2492 B.C.E. The significance of the day is that it is the
day that King Haik defeated King Bel of Babylon establishing a home for his
people. That home surrounded the mountains of Ararat. And it is there that the
kingdom has remained. Not surprisingly, the ancient beginnings are shrouded in
mystery. But we are beginning to understand that the ancient Armenians were
quite possibly a very technically advanced civilization. For instance, the
earliest known leather shoe and wine producing facility has been found in the
area. But the significance of the ancient Armenians for the biblical story is
that King Haik was the son of Togarmah. Ezekiel’s “Men of Beth Togarmah” simply
means the “Men of the House of Togarmah,” and the “House of Togarmah” is still
a name that Armenia holds today.
As Ezekiel
continues his description of the destruction of Tyre, he lists a number of
nations that had had contact with Tyre. And among the list nations are the “Men
of Beth Togarmah.” Beth Togarmah would have not only represented an ancient
civilization, but it was also the northernmost civilization that Ezekiel knew
about. The things that Tyre had been imported from Beth Togarmah were chariots
and horses, a symbol of military strength from the farthest reaches of the
earth.
But the
message seems to be that even with help from the ends of the earth, Tyre was
still going to fall. There was no military strength that could fight against
what God had decreed. And that included even a military strength from the exotic
ends of the earth.
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Ezekiel
28
Personal Note: Happy Birthday to my
daughter in-law Michelle. I hope you have a great day!
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