Ezekiel 29

Read Ezekiel 29

In the previous chapter the proud “prince” of Tyre was suggestive of a grander spiritual adversary who was once cast out from heaven “as a profane thing from the mountain of God.” In Ezekiel 29 the prophet's readers were introduced to “Pharaoh king of Egypt,” but they were led again to consider a “great dragon” of old who dared to exalt himself above his appointed station. As Pharaoh and the Egyptians were judged in a gruesome scene of carnage (compare Revelation 19:18), the church cannot help but consider the ultimate end of “that ancient serpent” as recorded for us in Revelation 20:1-10. “The devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur.”

Pharaoh believed the ridiculous. He imagined that the river that was a great blessing to the land of Egypt was his own creation and his permanent possession. “My Nile is my own; I made it for myself.” God would judge him for his hubris and for Egypt's uselessness in Israel's time of need. Egypt had been “a staff of reed to the house of Israel,” and the result was very injurious to the Lord's covenant people.

God's censure for Egypt was that her best days were now over. Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon would subdue the once lofty empire, and it would be “a lowly kingdom” under the authority of other nations.

Meanwhile the Lord had a glorious plan for the special oracles of Jehovah's prophets and for the resurrection world that would be established by the Messiah. “I will cause a horn to spring up for the house of Israel.” Ezekiel himself would be an authoritative ambassador in the midst of the Jews, but beyond this great prophet, the Lord would raise up a far more impressive Messenger for all the nations of the world.

Jesus has come in person as the perfect divine Word. His life and His teaching are very worthy of our emulation. His humiliation and exaltation have become our eternal rescue. He has revealed to us the will of God.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Great God of Heaven and Earth, there is much trouble all around us. Proud enemies have confidence in their strength. They are frightening in their power and hate. How will we survive? Surely we will be rescued by You. If You were not watching over us even now, we would not last for a moment. Our enemies come against us, but You can stop them as they seek to do us harm. We marvel at the extent of Your great decrees. You know where nations come from and where they are going. At just the right time You sent Your Son to be an atoning sacrifice for Your people. If You gave Your Son for us, will You not freely give us all things? Will You not protect us from every danger? We trust You.