Chapter 789 of 1163

Ezekiel 29–32

These chapters focus on Egypt, the nation that the Jews trusted instead of trusting the Lord (Isa. 30:1–7; 31:1–3). Ezekiel detailed four illustrations of the coming judgment of Egypt.

The capturing of a monster (29). The king of Egypt thought he was a great monster, guarding his royal river; but God said he was only a weak reed in the river (29:6–7). God would capture the monster and show Pharaoh that He owned the Nile River and could do with it what He pleased. The Babylonians would come and plunder Egypt, and Pharaoh would not be able to stop them.

The breaking of arms (30). God would break Pharaoh’s arm and not allow it to heal, but He would strengthen Nebuchadnezzar’s arms and give him victory over Egypt and her many allies. No more would God’s people turn to Egypt for help.

The cutting down of a great tree (31). This message was for Pharaoh, who thought his nation was indestructible. Assyria once had the same idea, but look what God did to her. God would rebuke Pharaoh’s pride, cut down his nation, and cast it into hell (vv. 15, 17).

The trapping of animals (32). Egypt was strong and active like a young lion, but the nation would be caught in God’s net and go down into the Pit with all the other great nations of that era.

Remember that God is the King and rules among the nations as He pleases. What He does has one grand purpose: that the nations may know He is the Lord (29:6, 9; 30:8, 19, 26). When nations and rulers start to think they are gods, God has to remind them that He alone is the God of all the earth. Nebuchadnezzar himself had to learn that lesson (Dan. 4).

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