Ezekiel 30 Commentary
“I will dry up the waters of the Nile.” Of course, the LORD never dried up the Nile but the prophet is using graphics to explain Egypt’s diminished fortunes. Babylon will attack and Egypt’s wealth will disappear.
Israel’s relationship with Egypt is complex. The patriarchs Abraham and Isaac sought refuge in Egypt. Jacob was hosted in Egypt and thus the nation of Israel was born under the goodwill and protection of a good Pharaoh. Remember the story of Joseph.
In times of Jeremiah, Egypt attacked Jerusalem and exiled King Jehoahaz. In a complex series of events and not too long after this, Babylon attacked Jerusalem and the remnant sought the safety of Egypt against the LORD’s advice. Jeremiah was captured and forcibly carried to Egypt by the fleeing remnant. Probably the “people of the covenant” in verse 5 refers to these refugees in Egypt.
By punishing Egypt, the LORD God is actually punishing Israel’s host. Israel is here against the instruction of the LORD. When we seek the safety of ‘things’, the LORD God moves in to destroy whatever we have depended on. If your income becomes your god and if you begin to think you are dead without it, the LORD may destroy that income to wake you up to the realities of who exactly is your keeper. Don’t trust the blessing at the expense of faith in the LORD God.
The saint’s life is unique. Certain things that happen to saints never happen to the unbelievers. They can sink their hearts and souls in wealth and nothing happens. The saint has the LORD God as an indispensable factor in their ambitions, hopes, and aspirations. You holy Father won’t let you have it like they have it. You belong to the LORD; they don’t.
We probably understand why the LORD God didn’t want Israel to flee to Egypt. Jeremiah 42.
We can check ourselves and see that we don’t attach ourselves to things that are about to be thrown away and destroyed.
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