4 Jun 2016, Ezekiel 29 以西结书 29, Prophecy against Egypt 向埃及说预言

Posted on May 29, 2016 in Devotions, Ezekiel |

Scripture Reading  : Ezekiel 29

Theme                      : Prophecy against Egypt

 

Ezekiel concluded his prophecies against the nations with a series of six judgment messages against Egypt. She misled Israel by encouraging her to rebel against Babylon. Egypt is liken to a dragon or crocodile from the Nile, which God will catch and kill. She will be judged because of her pride. God will not completely destroy her but Egypt will never be a great kingdom again. She will never rule over other nations. This is exactly what has happened in history. After Egypt’s fall to Babylon it has never been an international power to this day. Babylon will plunder Egypt’s wealth as her reward for destroying the pride of Tyre.

 

Praying the Scripture

Yahweh is the divine Lord of history. In their hubris nations (and individuals), particularly superpowers, may perceive themselves as independent and in control of their destinies, but Yahweh is able to change this illusion overnight. Indeed, he times the rise and fall of nations according to his purposes. The forty-year devastation of Egypt and the exile of its population serve as a reminder of his lordship over the specifics as well as the generalities of history. [1] Be comforted by the fact that God reigns the world, no matter how chaotic it may be. He is in control and His plan is to restore the world back to Eden. Know where history is going and know that you play a part in this history. Be zealous to do the work of God in history by fulfilling your duties as listed in the NT such as evangelism, serving your local church, and planting new churches.

 

[1] Block, D. I. (1997–). The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 25–48 (p. 145). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

 
 
 
 

经文：以西结书29

主题：向埃及说预言

 

以西结向埃及说了六个审判性的信息，以此总结他对列国要说的预言。埃及误导了以色列，鼓励她反抗巴比伦。埃及如尼罗河的大鱼或鳄鱼似的，而神把它会抓来杀死。埃及要因着自己的骄傲受到审判。虽然神不会彻底消灭她，但她永不得再做大国。她不会再统治其他国家了。这就是在历史上后来确切发生的事。自从埃及被巴比伦侵略后，她就不再是一个强国。巴比伦拉倒了推罗的狂傲，并要掳掠埃及的财富为此作奖赏。

 

用经文祷告

耶和华是历史的主宰。傲慢的国家（与个人），尤其超级强国，或许认为自己是独立的，能掌控自己的命运，但耶和华瞬间就能使她们从幻想中惊醒。是的，神按着祂的计划使列国兴起和衰败。埃及40年的荒凉和人民的驱逐提醒我们神对历史演变的总体和细节都是有主权的。[1] 不论世界有多混乱，我们要晓得神仍掌权，从而得安慰。祂仍掌管一切，而祂的计划是将世界重建至伊甸时代。我们要晓得历史的趋向，并我们在中的角色。要热心做神在历史中的工作，履行新约中为我们记载的任务如传福音、事奉地方教会及建立新教会。

 

[1] Block, D. I. (1997–). The Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 25–48 (p. 145). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.