Egypt and Her Allies Will Fail

“There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than 10,000 tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition and of unspeakable love.” (Lou Nicholes - Missionary/Author). … More

Power

Because Egypt was an international power, her fate affected the entire world. Thus God’s activity concerning her constitutes a great intervention in history. Ezekiel calls it a “day of the Lord."Unlike Ezekiel’s other prophecies against Egypt, he did not date this one, which stressed Babylon’s judgment on Egypt and her allies (vv. 1-5). It has four sections, each beginning with This is what the “Lord” (or Sovereign Lord) says (vv. 2, 6, 10, 13).Both Israel and Judah experienced a “day” of God’s judgment when they were punished for their sins (Ezek. 7:1-14, esp. vv. 7, 10, 12). Now God’s “day” of judgment would extend to Egypt, who would be defeated by Babylon (30:10-12). Ezekiel continued to discuss the defeat of Egypt’s mercenary allies within Egypt’s borders (vv. 6-9).

The news of Egypt’s destruction would spread rapidly, causing panic among her allies. Messengers would travel in ships up the Nile River to Cush to announce Egypt’s defeat. The news would cause panic in Cush because they, having sided with Egypt against Babylon, would now be vulnerable to attack. The third section of this prophecy again zeroed in on the means of destruction against the hordes of Egypt (vv. 10-12). Egypt’s destruction would come by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar (29:17-21). God selected Babylon, the most ruthless of nations, to accomplish His judgment (vv. 10-11). Babylon treated her captives cruelly. After King Zedekiah of Judah rebelled, Nebuchadnezzar forced him to watch soldiers kill all his sons. Then Zedekiah’s eyes were put out so the last thing he ever saw was his sons’ deaths (2 Kings 25:7). Ezekiel said that Babylon, after defeating Judah, would turn her cruel war machine against Egypt, killing the Egyptians with swords (v. 4).

In this fourth section of the prophecy Ezekiel enumerated the many places in Egypt that would be destroyed (vv. 13-19). Major cities would be destroyed, and people in the villages would be taken into captivity. Ezekiel’s fourth prophesy against Egypt was after the Babylonians defeated Egypt.

Application

God allows nations to rise to power in order to accomplish His purpose. I must remember that God is sovereign and in charge of everything, even those who have rule over us.

Ezekiel 30:1-26 (English Standard Version)


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