Title: God's Wrath Against Egypt / Ezekiel 29
Description God's Wrath Against Egypt
Ezekiel 29
1. The fall of Egypt due to sin (1-16)
① The annihilation of the king of Egypt (1-7) ② The desolation of the land of Egypt (8-12) ③ The prophecy of the restoration of Egypt (13-16)
Ezekiel emphasizes that only God is the object of trust through the destruction of Egypt, which tempted Israel to forsake God. In verses 6, 9, and 16, the expression, “Then they will know that I am the Lord,” makes it clear that the purpose of judgment is the revelation of God's power and glory. God never has judgment as an end in itself. Rather, by making his glory known to the world, he encourages more people to live in faith and participate in salvation.
The main content of the text is
(1) King Pharaoh is compared to a crocodile. (3-5)
God compared King Pharaoh, who was intoxicated with his national power and wealth, to a crocodile that boasted of great power and supported him in the Nile River and its tributaries. In fact, the crocodile has a reputation for being the most vicious beast of the Nile. As such, the king of Pharaoh seized hegemony in the Palestinian region and harassed neighboring countries and Israel. In particular, Pharaoh claimed to be an absolute monarch and demanded that he be worshiped as a god. Such pride will inevitably be judged by God.
(2) Egypt is described as a rod of reeds (6).
God says that Egypt is like a reed that is of no help to the alliance with Israel. In fact, God had previously commanded Israel not to depend on Egypt. However, Israel disobeyed God's command and formed an alliance with Egypt, but the Babylonian invasion resulted in a disastrous outcome without any help from Egypt. Only God is a stronghold, a refuge, and a gate of salvation.
⑶ It is prophesied that Egypt will be abandoned in a desolate state for 40 years (10-12).
Egypt, which deceived Judah and led him from the path of faith, was judged by God and scattered all over the world. In other words, they completely lose their former appearance of boasting of a splendid and prosperous life, and experience suffering and pain just as Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. In this way, a nation or an individual who tries to rely on humans instead of God will inevitably lead to ruin.
2. Nebuchadnezzar's invasion of Egypt (17-21)
Eventually Egypt will be destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar.
① Egypt is the portion given to Nebuchadnezzar (17-20)
② Promise of mercy for Israel (21)
The main content of the text is
(1) God thought that the Babylonian army, who had done all they could to attack Tire, should be compensated appropriately. (18-20) Nebuchadnezzar's army besieged the city of Tire and after many years of doing their best to attack it, they surrendered. . However, the wealthy people of Tire already sensed the fall and hid all their treasures and property on another island in advance and fled their families. As a result, Babylon received no spoils. However, God cared for Babylon, who acted as God's instrument to judge, so that she could taste the spoils of Egypt in abundance.
(2) The reason God uses Babylon is to reveal His sovereignty to the whole world. God already knows that Babylon is a country that cannot control the world. However, it temporarily prospers and allows you to seize the supremacy. And at the right time Babylon will destroy itself by its tyranny.
There must be a clear belief among us that only God is the ruler of history.
⑶ God does not forsake Israel, but promises to restore it at the appointed time.(21)
Now, Judah is in a state of complete destruction of power and authority by being destroyed by Babylon. But God proclaims hope that he will soon achieve salvation in the future.