Title Lamentations for Egypt (Ezekiel 32:1-32)
Contents There are two prophecies in this chapter. First, Pharaoh, king of Egypt, is no longer a lion, but an ugly crocodile, captured and thrown away in the mountains to be food for the tides. Second, the destruction of Pharaoh and his people. It is a mourning mourning. Even the defeat of the evil one is sad.
1. Sing a lamentation for Pharaoh 1-16 (1) Sad words for Pharaoh 1-10 A prophecy about Pharaoh, who used to compare Pharaoh to a young lion, but now jumps out of the river and shakes the water with his feet to pollute the river. I was compared to a crocodile. In verse 3, “I brought a great multitude of people and cast my nets over them…” means that the Babylonian army chosen from among the many nations will be used as a tool to attack Egypt. It is now prophesied that Pharaoh, like a crocodile, will be caught in the water and thrown on the shore and thrown into the field, and the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth will eat their meat, and they will be thrown into the mountains and streams, and their blood will stain the air everywhere. He said that when he died, the sun and the moon would lose their light and become dark, and the nations would be greatly astonished and fearful. Since the destruction of Egypt was due to God's punishment, it was implied that other nations should also fear it.
(2) Egypt was destroyed by Babylon 12-16 Here, we show some facts that make it known that the conquest of Egypt by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, was not a historical coincidence but a punishment from God.
"Let them die by the sword" This reminds us of the wrath of God that many people die at once, not by chance. "Abolishing the pride of Egypt" means that the calamity He sent to break the pride, this will also be accomplished under a planned providence.
"To purify the water...to make the river flow like oil..." is a metaphor for future blessings. The fact that "the land becomes a wasteland and a desert..." is not an accident, it is a work done for a special purpose of God.
2. Lamentations for Egypt 17-32 Lamentations for Pharaoh and his people, especially about Pharaoh's descent into the underworld. It means that Egypt is nothing superior to other famous countries in terms of power or culture. It is said that Pharaoh's soldiers who were killed in the war and the warriors (tyrants) of the nations now see Pharaoh coming there and start talking. In other words, the past tyrants and their factions are all descended to hell. They are: 1) Assyria and all her crowds; 2) Elam and all her hosts; 3) Meshech and Tubal and all her flocks; 4) Edom and all her princes.
When they were all alive on earth, they were fearful opponents as strong enemies, but now they are lying quietly as corpses. Among them were Pharaoh king of Egypt and his army lying with them. The usual self-righteousness and strength did not achieve self-salvation, and in the Hades, everyone is equal. High and low status, proud honor, beautiful beauty, everything has no value when it comes to hell, but rather becomes shameful.
The word “uncircumcised” is used ten times, which means one who has no relationship with God.
Conclusion: Pharaoh eventually went down to Hades, where he was comforted to see tyrants like him there. This is a poetic expression and a satirical tone.