Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon

“Whom are you like in your greatness?

He is to then give The Pharaoh the example of Assyria, how it was like a cedar in Lebanon, a great beautiful tree, towering above others, nourished with abundant waters.  It was so beautiful, tall and luxurious that not in the the cedars in the garden of God could rival it.                                       3     Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon,
                                        with beautiful branches and forest shade,
                                           and of towering height,
                                           its top among the clouds.
                                    4 The waters nourished it;
                                           the deep made it grow tall,
                                             making its rivers flow
                                               around the place of its planting,
                                                       sending forth its streams
                                                   to all the trees of the field.
                                   5 So it towered high
                                     above all the trees of the field;
                                      its boughs grew large
                                       and its branches long
                                          from abundant water in its shoots.

This tree was indeed so beautiful that the other trees envied it, even the trees in the garden of Eden, the ones in the garden of God.
                                    9 I made it beautiful
                                       in the mass of its branches,
                                     and all the trees of Eden envied it,
                                           that were in the garden of God.

It grew to be proud, full of itself, because of all it’s grandeur, so God himself, the one who grew the tree gave it over into the hand of a mighty one from the nations.

This land will deal with it as it’s wickedness deserves.  Pride has caused it to be cast out.

You know.. I read those words and I think… God hates those who are full of themselves, those who forget WHOSE they are.  Seriously.  How often does God condemn the pride of men and nations?

This cedar of Lebanon which is Assyria… so proud of her fame,fortune, good looks… and GOD HATES IT.

He really does.  He sees it as wickedness and so he allows her to be cut down.