Ezekiel 29:1-7
If this is the 10th year of exile, then this oracle is 2 days after the siege of Jerusalem began, January 7, 587BC. If the date is the 10th year of Zedekiah's reign it would be a year later than that. Ezekiel turns his attention toward Pharaoh Hophra. He had a tendency to get involved in affairs of Israel and surrounding area. He answered the call of Zedekiah for help, even when the Lord told him there was no help to be found there. Nebuchadnezzar lifted the siege temporarily because of Hophra's advance. He was either beaten or chased away. It was only a brief and meaningless delay, a mere inconvenience to Nebuchadnezzar.
The Pharaoh is pictured as a 'monster of chaos' lying in the river. This monster was a mythological figure; a serpent, dragon or crocodile figure. In some passages it is viewed as a multiheaded sea monster (Job 7:12; Ps 74:13; Isa 27:1; 51:9). It was an unknown, fearful but its as if the teeth have been knocked out of this monster. He first makes a claim of divine powers, as if he were a god. But God will put hooks in him, capture him and remove him from the river. Are all the fish sticking to his scales to be seen as those feeding off and trusting in the Pharaoh? For this creature of the water to be left on land was sure death for it and all the fish.
Egypt would understand the Lord intervened in this. Egypt had become a staff of reed. This presents a week staff that will break and splinter when leaned on. Their 'backs quiver' is probably due to a scribe transposing two letters. It should read 'their loins shake' as in Psalm 59:23. The idea of a staff of reed is also seen in 2 kings 18:21 and Isa 36:6.
Ezekiel 29:8-12
The judgments against Egypt are similar to those brought against Judah. The sword and the scattering along with the desolation of the land. The 40 years is probably not to be specific but to be a generation of judgment similar to the wilderness wandering.
Ezekiel 29:13-16
There would be a time of regathering and restoration of Egypt. The nation would remain weak and give only a hint at its former glory. They would be a testimony in this way. When Israel looked to Egypt, they would not find confidence, but a reminder of their own sin; of seeking hope in Egypt instead of the Lord.
Ezekiel 29:17-21
This is the latest dated oracle of the book of Ezekiel. The Babylonian army laid siege to Tyre for 13 years. Tyre ended up submitting to Babylon through diplomacy. Those who worked to siege Tyre never got to plunder the rich city. This army was looking for a payday and the Lord gave it to them in Egypt.
Israel, in exile, will see God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of all the prophecies against Egypt. They would be encouraged. The 'horn' that springs forth is seen as a power, authority or king. They would truly hear the words of Ezekiel and know that the Lord, He is God.
©2019 Doug Ford
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