Ezekiel 29 Commentary
Egypt’s problem is very interesting. First: for claiming ownership of the Nile. “My Nile is my own, and I have made it for myself.” Second: “They have been [only] a staff made of [fragile] reeds to the house of Israel”.
The Nile delta is one of the world’s largest river deltas. It has always been a rich agricultural region. An early civilization thrived here and the region has continued to support Egypt’s economy. It is Egypt’s ‘everything’! Pharaoh’s claim, therefore, amounts to a direct replacement of God’s Name. He, Pharaoh, and not the Creator God, is responsible for the blessing.
Secondly, Pharaoh wants to play the role of God to Israel. It is God who comes down to help Israel. The great Exodus is the work of God. Egypt wants Israel to believe that Egypt is a better alternative. More like, “The God of the Exodus hasn’t shown up; come under my shield and you are safe.”
Probably Israel remembered, “the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic.” Egypt is a better savior!
The lessons are clear: Don’t play God in anyone’s life; you are not one to anyone. You cannot be one. If the LORD uses you to do a good, leave it there. Don’t think someone won’t make it without you. Yes, without God but not without you.
And don’t claim to be the author of a good. We are not responsible for sunshine, rain, fertility of the womb or the soil. The Saints won’t fall this low, though. But we are in danger of thinking our intelligence, education, diligence, commitment, good behavior, or wisdom has achieved it all for us.
It is interesting how wickedness works. It is a huge factory of sins that are designed to fit every taste! Tyre’s problem is pride in her own ‘strengths’. Egypt’s trouble comes when Pharaoh hijacks the glory of the LORD by claiming authorship of the Nile – the God-given blessing. He puts his own name on the LORD’s gift to mankind. In addition, he wants to play the role of God to Israel.
Other nations have unique ‘sins’ for which they are punished. It is a pick-your-want situation! There is a sin for every temperament, a sin for every want or need, and a sin for all situations. It is a marketplace where you can always find what suits you at affordable prices.
In the immediate context, Egypt’s punishment comes as a defeat against Babylon. But we know there is more to the story.
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