Ezekiel 30:10 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “‘I will put an end to the hordes of Egypt by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.’”
It occurred to me as I read today’s chapter that I have always read sections such as these as though God is jealous—jealous of Egypt because Israel put its faith in Egypt and not God. And while I can see how my earthly self might read it that way, the God of all creation being jealous of anything does not hold true.
Ezekiel 30:12 “‘I will dry up the waters of the Nile and sell the land to an evil nation; by the hand of foreigners I will lay waste the land and everything in it. I the Lord have spoken.’”
God loves His children. He wants what’s best for them. And what’s best for the Israelites is not putting their trust in Egypt, certainly not trusting Egypt above trusting God.
Ezekiel 30:19 “‘So I will inflict punishment on Egypt, and they will know that I am the Lord.’”
Lord, I don’t like the image of You as a jealous God. That doesn’t square with the understanding I have of who You are and how You function. I also don’t want to be like the Israelites, trusting in earthly strength while turning my back on Your eternal love. Help me to seek You always. Help me to trust You above earthly strength. Help me to be humble in You and to shine Your light for all. Amen.
Ezekiel 30:26 “I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them through the countries. Then they will know that I am the Lord.”
Have a blessed day.