Lesson 31
background notes
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doctrinal / teaching points
1. Egypt was
defeated when the Lord strengthened the hands of
Nebuchadnezzar.
2. Egypt was
defeated when the Lord broke the arms of Pharaoh.
practical
application
Think through
your alliances!
questions
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Here in
chapter 30 are 2 more (7 total) of the prophetic
oracles of judgment against Egypt. All 7 of the
oracles are dated precisely except the oracle in
verses 1-19 of this chapter. Explain why this
oracle is thought to be the last one written.
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Normally in the
writings of the prophets, the phrase “the day of the
Lord” refers to the eschatological “day” in the
future when the Lord returns in judgment. Here in
the context of this chapter, however, it has a
different meaning. Explain the meaning here.
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In earlier
chapters, it was clear that God pronounced judgment
against Egypt because of her pride and her failure
to come to the rescue of Judah when the Babylonians
were besieging Jerusalem. Here, another reason for
God’s judgment is given (v 13). What was this reason
and what were some of the specific results of God’s
judgment that would come to pass (vs 10-19)?
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Why were many of
the countries around Egypt brought under God’s
judgment (vs 3-9)?
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In His
proclamation against Pharaoh, God said He would
“break both of the arms” of Pharaoh. This highly
figurative language of the breaking of Pharaoh’s
arms most likely refers to what historical battles
or invasions?
answers
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The oracle
here in verses 1-19 may have been the last
oracle written, because it includes what may be
a reference to the Jewish people being in Egypt,
“and the men of the lands who are allied” (v 5).
This phrase could be translated “people of the
covenant land,” that is, the Jews. If this is
the case, these Jews would be those who came to
Egypt with Jeremiah after the fall of Jerusalem
to the Babylonians in 586 BC.
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The phrase “the
day of the Lord” in verse 3 is speaking in the
historical context of the judgment of God about to
fall upon Egypt at the hands of the Babylonians.
This judgment would come within a few years of when
Ezekiel gave this prophecy. In the broader context,
the “day of the Lord” could be defined as any time
the Lord intervenes in the affairs of nations for
judgment or for blessing.
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The additional
reason for God’s judgment against Egypt given here
in chapter 30 was their worship of idols (idolatry),
and God was to expose these idol-gods of Egypt as
false gods. Many of the cities of upper and lower
Egypt that were religious centers would be put to
the sword and burned (vs 13-19).
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The countries
around Egypt who shared in God’s judgment had allied
themselves with Egypt (vs 4, 5), and had upheld and
helped Egypt (vs 6, 8) in her sinful ways.
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The “breaking of
the first arm” of Pharaoh may have taken place as
early as 605 BC when Egypt was defeated at the
historical battle of Carchemish, or it may have been
Pharaoh Hophra’s more recent unsuccessful advance
against the Babylonians who were surrounding
Jerusalem. This encounter is detailed in Jeremiah,
chapter 37. The “breaking of the second arm of
Pharaoh” would come in about 569 BC when
Nebuchadnezzar invaded and conquered Egypt.
discuss /
consider
Discuss the
military and/or economic alliances of nations in the
world today, such as the European Union, the United
Nations, NATO, and others. Would you consider that
any of the nations within these alliances could
likely come under God’s judgment in the future
challenge
Make a list of
those individuals, groups and organizations which
you have joined or with whom you’ve made some kind
of alliance. Examine them as to their loyalties,
agendas, values and priorities. Be certain they are
not contradictory to the admonitions of God’s Word.
memorize
- “I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon and put my sword in his hand; but I will break Pharaoh’s arms, and he will groan before him with the groanings of a mortally wounded man.”
Ezekiel 30: 24
