Ezekiel

Ezekiel 32: God ends Egypt’s terrifying power

Begin in prayer

Before reading Egypt's lament, let us bow before the Lord who brings terrifying power to an end. Pray that the Lord would settle our hearts, draw near to our family and show us Christ in Ezekiel 32.

It will happen in that day,” says the Lord Yahweh, “that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day.

Amos 8:9

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us understand the judgment behind these solemn pictures and see Jesus, who saves His people through His death and resurrection. 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 commands a lament over Pharaoh, picturing him as a monster that troubles the waters. He will catch him in a net, leave his flesh to birds and animals, and spread his blood across the land. God will darken the heavens over Egypt and make distant kings tremble for their lives. Babylon's sword will destroy Egypt's proud multitude and animals, leaving its waters undisturbed. Another lament brings Egypt down among the nations already slain, whose former terror has become shame in the pit. Pharaoh will be comforted by their company, yet God will lay him and his army among those slain by the sword.

As you read Ezekiel 32, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God ends Egypt’s terrifying power and lays Pharaoh among the nations already brought down in death.

The monster muddying rivers pictures Pharaoh's power disturbing others, while God's net shows how helpless that power becomes before Him. Its flesh feeding animals and its blood covering the land announce the violent end of a ruler who troubled nations. Darkened heavens picture Egypt's extinguished splendor, and frightened kings recognize danger to their own lives. Even the clear waters carry judgment, because people and animals no longer remain to stir them. The second lament turns from the fallen kingdom to its place among the dead. Repeated terror, shame and sword show what has become of nations that once frightened the living. The uncircumcised dead bear shame in the pit, showing how nations that terrified the living end in dishonor. Pharaoh's comfort comes from finding others in his condition, while God still lays him among the slain.

How does Ezekiel 32 show us that God ends Egypt’s terrifying power and lays Pharaoh among the nations already brought down in death?

God catches the power that troubles nations.

Pharaoh is like a monster that muddies the waters (verses 1 to 10). God catches him and leaves his flesh for birds and animals. Blood fills the watercourses, darkness covers Egypt and kings tremble for their lives.

God brings Egypt's pride to an end.

God brings Babylon's sword against Egypt and its multitude (verses 11 to 16). He also destroys its animals, leaving the waters undisturbed. The desolate land will make its people know the LORD.

God lays Pharaoh beside other fallen nations.

The second lament names nations whose terrors have ended in death and shame (verses 17 to 32). Pharaoh will see their company and be comforted. God has put his terror in the living land, and He will lay him among the slain.

Memorize

I will make all the bright lights of the sky dark over you, and set darkness on your land, says the Lord Yahweh.

Ezekiel 32:8

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, how have I frightened others? Have I asked Jesus to change my heart?

God tells Pharaoh, “I will spread out my net on you with a company of many peoples”. The ruler who troubled others will be caught and brought down. Nations that once caused terror already lie in shame. Power cannot lift their guilt or free them from death.

Jesus entered death to deliver His people from the guilt of their sins. He carried their sins to the cross and endured their punishment as their substitute. His finished offering paid the whole debt, supplying all they need for peace with God. He rose from death, and those who trust Him have a Savior whom death cannot hold.

Turn from your sin and put your faith in Jesus Christ. He forgives everyone who comes to Him, including those who have misused their strength. Please bring Him the harm you have caused. The risen King receives those who turn to Him, and His good rule teaches His people to serve others.

Parent's note

Tell your children that death and judgment await sinners, and Jesus died and rose to save those who come to 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. Please explain the flesh, blood and graves in your own words, keeping God's judgment and the lament's seriousness clear.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for ending cruel power and giving salvation through Jesus, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the Good News.

2 Timothy 1:10

Lord, thank You for ruling over those who trouble and frighten others. Forgive the harm we do with our strength, and help each one turn from sin and trust Jesus. Please teach us to fear Your judgment, receive Your mercy and use our power to serve those around us. Amen.