Banner
Nav Menu
Sidebar

Author: Ron Graham

Ezekiel

Ezekiel Chapters 29, 30, 31, and 32
—Outline and Notes

1 Context Overview

Chapters 29, 30, 31, and 32 of Ezekiel consist of a series of oracles and laments given to Ezekiel for Egypt and its Pharaoh.

The armies of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon and the Chaldeans, wrought desolation in Judah and Jerusalem. Many captives were taken as slaves and much booty gained. Nebuchadnezzar’s armies also attacked Tyre and did great damage, but the effort cost more than it gained. So God allowed Nebuchadnezzar to attack Egypt and the Nile valley.

Egypt deserved to be conquered, because instead of acknowledging that God made the lands and rivers, the Egyptians gave themselves that credit, claiming themselves to be gods. Furthermore, between the days of Joseph and Moses Egypt had mistreated the Israelites and used them as slaves.

So Ezekiel is given a number of oracles and laments about Egypt and the lands and cities which it controlled.

2 Outline of Ezekiel 29

10th YEAR (Ezekiel 29:1).

A Prophecy against Pharaoh and All Egypt

3 Outline of Ezekiel 30

A Lament for Egypt

Pharaoh’s Arm is Broken

4 Outline of Ezekiel 31

11th YEAR (Ezekiel 30:20, 31:1).

Egypt will fall like Assyria

5 Outline of Ezekiel 32

12th YEAR (Ezekiel 32:1,17).

A Lament for Pharaoh

Prophecies of Egypt’s Demise

6 The Great Empires

For background, you should be aware of the succession of superpowers in the Old Testament history of Israel. We list them below along with two or three Biblical figures of the time.

7 Divine Intervention in World Affairs

When we consider God’s dealings with various nations, it is clear that he intervenes at times and does not permit them to follow their own course.

Egypt is an example. In the time of Moses, Egypt did not want to set God’s people [the Israelites] free. But God forced Pharaoh’s hand (Early chapters of Exodus). Now, generations later, in the time of Ezekiel, God is granting Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon success in conquering Egypt.

We are aware also, that God was on the path of bringing Christ the Saviour into the world to bless all nations. To accomplish this he had to turn certain potentates from their contrary courses. Consider, for example, Nebuchadnezzar’s experiences with Daniel.

God helped some nations at times, but he also arranged the demise of some. When necessary, God used good kings to accomplish his will, and he also got rid of kings who defied him. Looking back, we see God’s hand in world affairs, always on the side of good.

This makes us wonder whether God still intervenes. Does he now let the nations go their ways without interference? Or is he still working in this world, when necessary, to punish or bless nations according to his will, to steer the world through each crisis?

The short answer to that is that Jesus, the Word of God, is called "King of kings and Lord of lords." (Revelation 19:11-16). In that vision he is said to "strike the nations and rule them with a rod of iron".

Surely this cannot mean that our Lord does nothing and lets the nations do whatever they will. For instance Paul told the Thessalonians that God had appointed a power to restrain, for a while, the activity of Antichrist (2Thessalonians 2:1-6).

fancy rule

Third section of Ezekiel: Israel’s Desolation and Scattering

SEE NEXT LESSON



DONATE

to simplybible.com
Webservant Ron Graham


Copyright on print
Footer