Ezekiel 29
Scripture
Ezekiel 29:19-20
“Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am going to give Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will carry off its wealth. He will loot and plunder the land as pay for his army. I have given him Egypt as a reward for his efforts because he and his army did it for me, declares the Sovereign LORD.”
Observation-What does it say?
God is bringing judgment on Egypt in this chapter, and rebuking Pharaoh for viewing himself as a god and rebuking him for his pride, arrogance and selfishness. As a result, God said through Ezekiel in verse 15, "It will be the lowliest of kingdoms and will never again exalt itself above the other nations. I will make it so weak that it will never again rule over the nations.”
Egypt was going to be brought down by Babylon, as Babylon, led by King Nebuchadnezzar, got no reward for the campaign they led against the nation of Tyre(vs. 18), but rather did it for the Lord as stated in verse 20. (Note: the nation of Tyre was another nation, just like Egypt, who thought they were gods in their arrogance, pride and selfishness, refusing to submit or give glory to the One and Only God.) Source: Ezekiel 1-33 commentary from the Bible Project.
Understanding-What does it mean?
“The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Matthew 23:11-12 NIV
There are two extremes pointed out in this chapter. The first is a nation whose pride refused to acknowledge God as the only Sovereign Lord. The second is the nation who did not seek reward from man, but rather did their works for the glory of God alone. The nation who was for God was exalted, while the nation that was against God was defeated.
"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31 NIV
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” 1 Peter 5:6 NIV
Life Application
Do we identify more with the prideful nation or the humbled nation that did not seek reward, but rather gave God all the glory?
Dear Jesus, we are all works in progress, but as we progress in You, I pray that we would remain humble and dependent on You alone. Please forgive us and break us of our pride that seeks honor for ourselves and reward from man. May we seek our value and worth in You and give back all honor and glory to You alone. As a result, I pray we will experience a joy and peace beyond understanding. Amen.