It came to pass also in the twelfth year, on the
fifteenth day of the month, that the word of the LORD came to me,
saying: “Son of man, wail over the multitude of Egypt,
and cast them down to
the depths of the earth,
her and the daughters of the famous nations,
with
those who go down to the Pit:
‘Whom do you surpass in beauty?
Go down, be
placed with the uncircumcised.’
“They shall fall in the midst of those slain
by the sword;
she is delivered to the sword,
drawing her and all her
multitudes.
The strong among the mighty
shall speak to him out of the midst of
hell
with those who help him:
‘They have gone down,
they lie with the
uncircumcised, slain by the sword.’ (vv.17-21)
This last of the seven prophecies against Egypt also
happened in the twelfth year, the year after the fall of Jerusalem. Most
agree that since no month is specifically mentioned, this happened the same
month as the previous oracle (Ezekiel 32:1). This would be about two weeks
later. As in Ezekiel 31:14-17, Egypt’s destiny was to go to sheol, to
the pit, the depths of the earth. Though Egypt surpassed many in
beauty, their destiny would be agony and disgrace, placed with the
uncircumcised.
“The oracle affirms that Yahweh is the Lord not only
of individuals but also of history. The rise and fall of nations may appear
attributable to charismatic and gifted leaders, but behind all international
movements one must acknowledge the supreme hand of Yahweh, who alone fixes the
times and seasons of their lives, sets the limits to their conduct, determines
the nature of their downfall, appoints the agents of judgment, and in the
process accomplishes his goal: the universal recognition of his power and his
person.” (Block)
God closed His words of judgment to Egypt through
Ezekiel with another solemn warning of the judgment, the terror that He would
surely bring, “For I have caused My terror in the land of the living” (v.32).
The Truth: “In that day the Egyptians will become
like women, and they will tremble and be in dread because of the waving of the
hand of the LORD of hosts, which He is going to wave over them.” (Isaiah 19:16)
