Ezekiel

Ezekiel 29: God humbles Egypt’s false confidence

Begin in prayer

Before hearing God's word against Egypt, let us consider what we claim as our own and where we seek safety. Ask Him to quiet our hearts and be near our family, teaching us to recognize Christ as we read Ezekiel 29.

Though you mount on high as the eagle, and though your nest is set among the stars, I will bring you down from there,” says Yahweh.

Obadiah 4

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us understand the failure of proud confidence and see Jesus, the Savior who can bring sinners safely to You. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

God speaks against Pharaoh and Egypt, picturing the king as a river monster who claims the river as his own creation. He will drag the monster out with hooks and leave it and its fish as food for animals and birds. Egypt has been a reed staff that breaks and injures Israel when she leans on it. God will send sword and forty years of desolation, cutting off people and animals and scattering Egypt's inhabitants. He will gather them into a lowly kingdom that can no longer rule the nations or be Israel's confidence. A later word gives Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar as wages for his army's work against Tyre, while promising a sprouting horn for Israel.

As you read Ezekiel 29, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God humbles Egypt’s pride and shows that His people cannot find safety in her.

Pharaoh's claim to have made his river turns Egypt's source of abundance into a boast of independent power. God's hooks answer that claim by dragging the river monster from the place it calls its own. Fish clinging to its scales share its destruction, so the ruler cannot preserve those attached to him. The broken reed shows another failure of Egypt's power, because Israel's attempt to lean on it brings injury instead of support. God makes Egypt lowly after its scattering, ending both its rule over other nations and Israel's confidence in its help. The later promise of wages also places imperial power under His government, because Babylon's exhausting campaign serves a purpose He calls His own. Egypt becomes the payment for that service, showing that the Lord gives wealth and land to execute His judgment. The sprouting horn for Israel and the prophet's opened mouth turn attention to the strength and knowledge God Himself will provide.

How does Ezekiel 29 show us that God humbles Egypt’s pride and shows that His people cannot find safety in her?

God answers the ruler who claims God's gifts.

Pharaoh claims the river as his own work, like a monster lying in its waters (verses 1 to 7). God will drag him out with hooks. He and the fish clinging to him become food for animals and birds.

God removes a false source of safety.

Egypt breaks like a reed staff and harms Israel when she leans on it (verses 6 to 16). God scatters Egypt's people for forty years. He will gather them into a lowly kingdom that can no longer rule the nations.

God directs nations to carry out His work.

Babylon's army labored against Tyre without receiving wages from it (verses 17 to 21). God gives Egypt as its pay because it worked for Him. He also promises a sprouting horn for Israel and an opened mouth for His prophet.

Memorize

The land of Egypt shall be a desolation and a waste; and they shall know that I am Yahweh.

Ezekiel 29:9

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where am I leaning for safety instead of God, and will I come to Jesus?

Egypt has been “a staff of reed to the house of Israel”. Those who lean on her are hurt when she breaks. Pharaoh's claim to possess his river cannot preserve even his own people. God exposes the failure of a confidence His people have chosen.

Jesus saves those who come to Him through the costly work He has finished. He died for His people, carrying their guilt and bearing God's wrath against their sins. His blood has fully redeemed them, providing all that their reconciliation requires. He rose from the grave, and those who trust Him will never find His saving power broken.

Turn from your sin and rely on Jesus Christ. He promises to forgive every sinner who comes to Him in faith. Please bring Him the false hopes on which you have been leaning. Ask Him to teach you trust in His completed salvation and obedience to the Word that exposes your need.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Jesus died and rose to save those who rely on Him for forgiveness. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for exposing false hopes and giving a Savior who can save, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Truly in vain is help from the hills, the tumult on the mountains. Truly the salvation of Israel is in Yahweh our God.

Jeremiah 3:23

Father, thank You for exposing the things we lean on that cannot save us. Forgive our proud claims and misplaced trust, and help each one repent and believe in Jesus. Please teach us to receive all we have from You and rely on the Savior whose finished work is enough. Amen.