Egypt and Others Consigned to the Pit

Ezekiel 32:1–32
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This prophecy was given two months after the news of Jerusalem’s fall had reached the exiles in Babylon. Ezekiel prophesied that numerous judgments would come to many wicked nations. These judgments showed that evil forces are continually being overcome and that one day God will overthrow all. Even the mightiest rulers, like Pharaoh, will fall before God.

• Lamenting Pharaoh’s Destruction (32:1-16). The Lord revealed to Ezekiel a taunting lament the nations would someday sing over fallen Pharaoh. Though he was like a mighty lion or a powerful crocodile, he would be captured, destroyed, and eaten by scavengers. Darkness would settle over his land as a sign of judgment and destruction. Babylon would invade Egypt, destroy its people, and steal its wealth.
• Egypt’s Armies Slaughtered (32:17-32). Pharaoh’s armies would be slaughtered and descend into the land of the dead. They would join the armies of other nations who spread terror on the earth but eventually met their demise. These nations included Assyria, Elam (located east of Mesopotamia), Meshech and Tubal (northern nations, compare 38:2), Edom, and Sidon.

In these concluding verses Ezekiel conducts a guided tour of the afterlife. In the grave, all of God’s enemies are condemned in judgment, many of them experience the fate they so quickly imposed on others. No doubt, these words would comfort the captives.

Application

There is so much wickedness in this world that it is easy to think that God doesn’t even notice all the evil that is going on around us. He sees it and will judge it and that is not my job.