47 lines
2.4 KiB
Markdown
47 lines
2.4 KiB
Markdown
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title = "Ezekiel 29:1–21"
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date = "2023-05-25"
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### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ezekiel29.1-21)
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The prophecies against Egypt were given to Ezekiel in 587 <span
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style="font-variant-caps: small-caps">b.c.</span>, roughly a year after the
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siege of Jerusalem (and a few months before he prophesied against Tyre, in
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fact). Egypt had long been one of the superpowers of the ancient world,
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exerting great influence over its neighbors for a long time. But the Lord
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decrees that the time for that has ended.
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The Pharaohs of Egypt had long likened themselves as gods to their people,
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blessing the Nile River in order for it to bring abundance to the land. The
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Lord compares Pharaoh to a great dragon that has its domain in the river but
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one that also boasts that it created it. For this arrogance, the Lord will pull
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him up out of the river like a fish on a hook and then toss him to the land.
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There he will perish and become food for the carrion birds and beasts.
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In addition to Pharaoh trying to put himself in God's place, the Egyptians in
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general are also punished for betraying God's people. Israel had gone to Egypt
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(instead of the Lord) for aid against Babylon, but Egypt was not able to give
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the support they needed. Because of this harm that was done against His people,
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the Lord brings desolation upon Egypt. From north to south, Egypt will be made
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desolate, emptied of its people. Man and beast of Egypt will be scattered
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abroad, the superpower broken. However eventually the Lord gathers the
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Egyptians together again to form a nation, but not as great as it once was.
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Never again will any other nation be subject to them, nor will Israel be
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tempted to rely upon them.
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Sixteen years later, Ezekiel is granted the knowledge of who will carry out
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this prophecy against Egypt. Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had spent that
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whole time besieging Tyre, but any plunder he had gotten from it was not worth
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the cost of fielding his army for that long. Therefore the Lord will give him
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success against Egypt as he turns his attention further south. The loot and
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plunder he gets from Egypt will be enough to pay for his campaign against Tyre.
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Finally, Israel is offered hope. On the day Nebuchadnezzar conquers Egypt,
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Israel's power will begin to rise and Ezekiel will prophesy to them again.
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* * *
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The greatest of superpowers is as nothing before You. Nations rise and fall at
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Your command.
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