Bible Pathways 09/09/04
September 9
Read Ezekiel 29 - 32
In Today's Reading:
Egypt's defeat by Babylon foretold; Assyria's fall as a warning to Egypt; lamentation (great sorrow) over Egypt's fall
About a year after the Babylonians had surrounded Jerusalem in their plan to starve them into submission, Ezekiel foretold the end of Egypt as a great nation. God said to him: 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 (worthless support) to the house of Israel. . . . Behold, 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. . . . neither shall it be inhabited forty years (Ezekiel 29:2-11).
Although Egypt would no longer be a great power of the world, it would not be utterly destroyed as Babylon would be. Ezekiel foretold: At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians. . . . into the land of their habitation (origin); 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 no more rule over the nations (29:13-15). Over the centuries, Egypt never regarined the importance it had then. It stands as a witness to the supreme authority of God.
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 caused Egypt and particularly, Israel, to reject their idols and worship the One True God of creation.
God brought judgment upon Israel, Judah, Tyre, Sidon, Egypt, and other nations to cause them to realize that I am the LORD (29:9). This phrase is mentioned 66 times in this book alone to point out the importance of obeying the Word of God.
A future time of redemption and restoration was also foretold: In that day will I cause the horn (strength) of the house of Israel to bud forth (29:21). The horn is a symbol of power (I Samuel 2:10; Psalm 92:10) As prophesied, the people of God, both Jew and Gentile, have a future destiny of glory with Jesus as their Messiah.
God . . . has. . . . given Him a Name which is above every name: That at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth . . . And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11).
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 (Hebrews 1:1-2).
Word Studies:
29:6 staff of reed = false support; 29:7 be at a stand = gave way under them; 29:18 peeled = rubbed bare; 30:2 Woe worth the day = A day (of terror) is coming; 31:3 a shadowing shroud = forest shade.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for BP Staff: Rita Guerra · Government Officials: Rep. John Linder (GA) and Rep. Howard (Buck) McKeon (CA) · Country: Russia (150 million) northeastern Europe and northern Asia · Major language: Russian · Religious freedom · 55% Russian/Armenian/Georgian/Old Believers Orthodox; 9% Muslim; .8% Shamanist/animist; .7% Protestant; .6% Buddhist; .5% Catholic
Prayer Suggestion: Pray when you are afflicted and suffering (James 5:13).
Optional Reading: Revelation 14
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 12:19
