Bible Pathways 9/9/2001
September 9
Read Ezekiel 29 -- 32
The prophecy concerning Egypt came to Ezekiel about a year after the siege of Jerusalem began. He foretold the end of Pharaoh as a ruler and of Egypt as a great nation: Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh King of Egypt, and prophesy against him, and against all Egypt. . . . because they have been a staff of reed to the House of Israel. . . . I will bring a sword upon you, and cut off man and beast out of you. And the land of Egypt shall be desolate and waste; and they shall know that I am the Lord. . . . neither shall it be inhabited forty years (Ezekiel 29:2,6,8-9,11).
Egypt, the land of ancient pride, was no longer to be one of the great powers of the world. But it would not be left totally desolate, as would the island city of Tyre, nor would it be completely destroyed, as Babylon would be. Ezekiel also foretold: At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians . . . and will cause them to return . . . and they shall be there a base (lowly) kingdom. . . . Neither shall it exalt itself any more above the nations: for I will diminish them, that they shall never again rule over the nations (29:13-15). Egypt has remained a base nation over the centuries. It stands as a witness to the supreme authority of God over all of His creation.
At the time of the Exodus, the ten plagues forced the Egyptians to acknowledge that their own gods were powerless against the One True God. This should have taught Egypt, and particularly Israel, to reject their idols and worship the God of Creation.
In the twelfth year of the Israelites' exile Ezekiel again foretold the downfall of Egypt: Thus says the Lord God; The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon you. . . . they shall spoil (ruin) the pomp (pride) of Egypt, and all the multitude shall be destroyed. . . . then shall they know that I am the Lord (32:11-12,15), the Sovereign Ruler of the universe whose Word can be totally relied upon. This happened just weeks after the news reached the exiles in Tel-Abib that Jerusalem had been destroyed by the Babylonians. For the faithful few, the news confirmed the absolute accuracy of Ezekiel's prophecy.
Judgment upon Israel, Judah, Tyre, Sidon, Egypt, and other nations was to force them to realize that I am the Lord. This phrase is mentioned 66 times in this book alone, stressing the absolute accuracy and importance of the Word of God.
However, a future time of redemption and restoration was also foretold: In that day I will cause the horn of the House of Israel to bud forth (29:21; Psalms 92:10). The horn is a symbol of power and strength (I Samuel 2:10). Israel's time of defeat would be followed by one of restoration. As prophesied, the people of God, both Jew and Gentile, have a future destiny of glory with Jesus of Nazareth as their Messiah/King.
He will come in flaming fire taking vengeance on (all) them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . When He shall come to be glorified in His saints (II Thessalonians 1:8,10).
Christ Revealed: Through the prophets by the Word of the Lord (Ezekiel 29:1). God, who at sundry times . . . spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, Has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things (Heb. 1:1-2).
Word Studies: 29:6 staff of reed means false support; 29:7 be at a stand means gave way under them; 29:18 peeled means rubbed bare; 30:2 Woe worth the day means a day (of terror) is coming; 31:3 a shadowing shroud means forest shade.
Prayer Needs:
Government Officials: Rep. John Linder (GA), Rep. Howard (Buck) McKeon (CA), and Gov. Froilan Tenorio (Northern Mariana Islands) · Pray for Hebrew Christian Fellowship · Pray for the Bible Pathway International Radio broadcast in memory of Dr. Hash's mother, Iva Ann McElroy · Country: Yemen (17 million) in southwestern Arabia · Major language: Arabic · Attempts to convert Muslims to Christ are fiercely opposed · 98% Muslim; .03% Christian (all secret believers) · Prayer Suggestion: Wives, ask the Lord to give you a submissive spirit to your husbands as if it were to the Lord (Ephesians 5:22).
Optional Reading: Revelation 14
Memory Verse for the Week: II Thessalonians 1:8,10
