Ezekiel

Ezekiel 30: God breaks Egypt’s power

Begin in prayer

Before reading how God breaks Egypt's power, let us come before the Lord whose judgment no strength can resist. Ask the Lord to subdue our distractions, be present with our family and reveal Christ to us as we read Ezekiel 30.

Yahweh will be awesome to them, for he will famish all the gods of the land. Men will worship him, everyone from his place, even all the shores of the nations.

Zephaniah 2:11

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Please help us understand Your power over nations and see Jesus, who bore judgment to save His people. 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 announces His near day of judgment on Egypt and the nations allied with her. Her helpers will fall, and her proud power will come down. He brings Nebuchadnezzar, dries the rivers and gives the land to evil men. Named cities face the destruction of idols, fire, sword and captivity, with no more prince from Egypt's own land. A later word pictures Pharaoh with a broken arm that cannot be healed to hold a sword. God will break his arms, strengthen Babylon's king and put His sword in that king's hand. The scattered Egyptians will know that He is the LORD.

As you read Ezekiel 30, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God breaks Egypt’s proud power and gives Babylon His sword to execute judgment.

The day of the LORD means His appointed judgment, bringing clouds and distress upon Egypt and the nations bound to her. The fall of her helpers exposes the weakness of alliances, because those expected to support her also need rescuing. Named cities spread the warning across the land, leaving idols, strongholds and royal authority within the reach of His sentence. Dry rivers and land sold to evil men show the LORD removing the resources and security on which that country depends. The broken arm pictures Pharaoh's disabled power, unable to grip the sword needed for battle. God will break the strong arm as well as the wounded one, so no remaining strength can reverse His sentence. At the same time He strengthens Babylon's arms and puts His own sword there, making that king the agent of His judgment. The scattering will make Egypt know who controls both the loss and exercise of royal power.

How does Ezekiel 30 show us that God breaks Egypt’s proud power and gives Babylon His sword to execute judgment?

God's day reaches Egypt and her helpers.

God announces a near day of clouds for the nations (verses 1 to 9). Egypt and her allies fall together by the sword. Fire and fear will make them know the LORD.

God judges the whole land and its idols.

God brings Babylon's king and sells Egypt to evil men (verses 10 to 19). He dries its rivers and destroys its idols. Cities face fire, sword and captivity, and Egypt will have no more prince from its own land.

God gives and removes the power to fight.

God breaks Pharaoh's arms and makes his sword fall from his hand (verses 20 to 26). He strengthens Babylon's king and gives him His sword. Egypt's people will be scattered, knowing that He is the LORD.

Memorize

They shall know that I am Yahweh, when I have set a fire in Egypt, and all her helpers are destroyed.

Ezekiel 30:8

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what strength do I trust? Have I bowed to Jesus, who saves sinners?

God says of Babylon's king, “I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand”. Egypt's broken power cannot resist the judgment He sends. The Lord who gives strength can take it away. We must face Him with the guilt our strength cannot remove.

Jesus endured judgment on the cross to redeem His people. Their sins were charged to Him, and He suffered and died in their place. By His completed obedience and sacrifice He secured all they need for salvation. He rose victorious over death, and His finished work is sufficient for every sinner who believes in Him.

Please turn from your sin and trust Jesus Christ. He welcomes all who come to Him with the forgiveness His blood has purchased. Bring Him your pride in your own strength. Ask Him for humble faith that hears His warning and follows the risen Savior.

Parent's note

Tell your children that human strength cannot save them, and Jesus died and rose to redeem those who believe in Him. 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 His power over nations and salvation through His Son, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

I have sworn by myself. The word has gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and will not be revoked, that to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath.

Isaiah 45:23

Lord, thank You that every nation's strength is in Your hands. Forgive our pride in our own power, and help each one turn from sin and trust Jesus Christ. Please teach us to fear Your holy judgment, receive Your mercy and use our strength in willing obedience to You. Amen.