Highlights In Today's Reading:
It is of utmost importance that we recognize why it is written 9 times in today's brief reading: They shall know that I am the Lord (29:6,9,16,21; 30:8,19, 25-26; 32:15)! Today's reading primarily describes the destiny of Egypt. No other Gentile nation had the witness of great men of God like Joseph and Moses which should have removed all doubt that there was but One True God. Yet the Israelites and Egyptians continued worshiping numerous false gods.
At the time of the Exodus, Egypt had grown to be a magnificent world power and had become famous in commerce, art, literature, science, and military might. The ten plagues forced the Egyptians, and the nation's counselors to Pharaoh, to acknowledge that their own gods were powerless against the One True God. This should have caused Egypt to reject their idols and worship the One True God of creation.
Ezekiel courageously foretold: The Word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him, and against all Egypt: Speak, and say, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold I am against thee Pharaoh king of Egypt. . . . I will bring a sword upon thee, and cut off man and beast out of thee. And the land of Egypt shall be desolate and waste; and they shall know that I am the Lord. . . . they shall be there a base kingdom. It shall be the basest of the kingdoms; neither shall it exalt itself any more above the nations (29:1-3,8-9,14-15). Consequently, although this shocking prophecy would appear most unlikely, God did bring judgment upon Egypt, Israel, and Judah. The phrase: They shall know that I am the Lord is mentioned 66 times in this book to point out the importance of worshiping the Almighty God and obeying His Word. Nebuchadnezzar did not know that Jehovah was preparing him and his Babylonian armies to be His servants. Neither did he know that he was fulfilling prophecy even when he devastated Israel and then Egypt. But after Babylon accomplished God's purpose, Babylon was forever destroyed.
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.
The thoughtful disciple, therefore, will not become preoccupied with great material success or pleasures. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. . . . Submit yourselves to every ordinanace of man for the Lord's sake (I Peter 2:11-13).
Thought for Today:
Let the God that directs the affairs of nations guide you by His Word from this time forward.
Christ Revealed:
By the Word of the Lord (Ezekiel 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 (Hebrews 1:1-2).
Word Studies:
29:7 loins to be at a stand =b> their legs to give way or shake; 29:18 peeled =b> rubbed bare; 30:2 Woe worth the day =b> Mourn the coming day (of terror); 31:3 a shadowing shroud =b> forest-like shade.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Radio Sri Lanka International Shortwave Broadcasts sponsored by Mr. Byrus Hurt and Bob & Dorothy Franklin • Staff: Jennifer Cunningham • Government Officials: Sec. Alphonso Jackson (Dept. of Housing and Urban Development), Rep. John Linder (GA), and Rep. Howard (Buck) McKeon (CA) • Country: Egypt (66 million) in northeastern Africa • Major languages: Arabic and English • Christians are not permitted to evangelize Muslims • 87.5% Muslim; 12% Christian; .5% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Offer up your prayer to God, your King, who will hearken to your prayer (Psa. 5:2).
Optional Reading: Revelation 14
Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 1:24