Bible Pathway - Sept. 9, 2012

 Ezekiel 29

Highlights:

Egypt's defeat by Babylon foretold; Assyria's greatness and fall; lamentation over Egypt's fall.

And I will make the land of Egypt desolate . . . and her cities . . . that are laid waste shall be desolate forty years . . . At the end of forty years will I . . . cause them to return . . . It shall be the basest of the kingdoms (Ezek. 29:12-15).

Egypt, a magnificent world power, was famous for its commerce, art, literature, and science. No human mind could possibly have foreseen that Egypt would be defeated, then rebuilt in forty years, but would remain a base kingdom — never again to have world prominence.

At one time Egypt virtually ruled the whole world. When God determined for that time to end, there was nothing anyone or anything could do to stop it. It was only by God's choosing that Egypt was allowed to still exist. This strange prophecy in regard to Egypt is a striking contrast to the prophecy concerning Tyre and other great nations, such as Assyria and Babylon, that would become extinct.

Likewise, in our lives, things are sometimes for a season. This season could be for a brief time or it could last for years. The point is that one day God may bring something to a close in our life. He may do this once or many times because He is birthing something new. Former parts of our life may not totally disappear, but they will take a back seat to the new direction God is taking us. Unlike Egypt, the believer who places his trust in God need not fear these changes. They will always be for the benefit of the believer. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10).

Not one prophecy has ever failed to be fulfilled in every detail. The Word of God is the only infallible Truth that can be found on the face of the earth. There are books of great science, but we know science changes with new discoveries. We may have great chronicles of history, but they are imperfect recordings viewed through the human eyes that wrote them. You may say humans wrote the Bible. They did. However, they wrote it under the divine direction of the Holy Spirit. He inspired every word that was written. For our Gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake (I Thess. 1:5).

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away (Luke 21:33).

Thought for Today:

During the tests of all the ages, God's Word had been steadfast and sure.

Christ Revealed:

By the Word of the Lord (Ezek. 29:1). In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1). God . . . Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son (Heb. 1:1-2).

Word Studies:

29:7 loins to be at a stand = legs to give way or stagger; 29:18 peeled = rubbed bare; 30:2 Woe worth the day = Mourn the coming day (of terror); 31:3 with a shadowing shroud = overshadowing the forest.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for Government Officials: Rep. Buck P. McKeon (CA) and Sen. Christopher Coons (DE) • Country: Switzerland (7 million) in central Europe • Major languages: German and French • Religious freedom • 53% Roman Catholic; 41% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Ask for courage to praise the Lord before unbelievers (Ps. 96:3-5).

Optional Reading: Revelation 14

Memory Verse for the Week: James 1:4