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Ezekiel 32 A Vision of God's Glory

1 A Lament for Pharaoh
In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month on the first day, the word of the Lord came to me:

2 “Son of man, take up a lament concerning Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him:
“‘You are like a lion among the nations;
you are like a monster in the seas
thrashing about in your streams,
churning the water with your feet
and muddying the streams.

3 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“‘With a great throng of people
I will cast my net over you,
and they will haul you up in my net.

4 I will throw you on the land
and hurl you on the open field.
I will let all the birds of the air settle on you
and all the beasts of the earth gorge themselves on you.

5 I will spread your flesh on the mountains
and fill the valleys with your remains.

6 I will drench the land with your flowing blood
all the way to the mountains,
and the ravines will be filled with your flesh.

7 When I snuff you out, I will cover the heavens
and darken their stars;
I will cover the sun with a cloud,
and the moon will not give its light.

8 All the shining lights in the heavens
I will darken over you;
I will bring darkness over your land,
declares the Sovereign Lord.

9 I will trouble the hearts of many peoples
when I bring about your destruction among the nations,
among lands you have not known.

10 I will cause many peoples to be appalled at you,
and their kings will shudder with horror because of you
when I brandish my sword before them.
On the day of your downfall
each of them will tremble
every moment for his life.

11 “‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“‘The sword of the king of Babylon
will come against you.

12 I will cause your hordes to fall
by the swords of mighty men—
the most ruthless of all nations.
They will shatter the pride of Egypt,
and all her hordes will be overthrown.

13 I will destroy all her cattle
from beside abundant waters
no longer to be stirred by the foot of man
or muddied by the hoofs of cattle.

14 Then I will let her waters settle
and make her streams flow like oil,
declares the Sovereign Lord.

15 When I make Egypt desolate
and strip the land of everything in it,
when I strike down all who live there,
then they will know that I am the Lord.’

16 “This is the lament they will chant for her. The daughters of the nations will chant it; for Egypt and all her hordes they will chant it, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

17 In the twelfth year, on the fifteenth day of the month, the word of the Lord came to me:

18 “Son of man, wail for the hordes of Egypt and consign to the earth below both her and the daughters of mighty nations, with those who go down to the pit.

19 Say to them, ‘Are you more favored than others? Go down and be laid among the uncircumcised.’

20 They will fall among those killed by the sword. The sword is drawn; let her be dragged off with all her hordes.

21 From within the grave the mighty leaders will say of Egypt and her allies, ‘They have come down and they lie with the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword.’

22 “Assyria is there with her whole army; she is surrounded by the graves of all her slain, all who have fallen by the sword.

23 Their graves are in the depths of the pit and her army lies around her grave. All who had spread terror in the land of the living are slain, fallen by the sword.

24 “Elam is there, with all her hordes around her grave. All of them are slain, fallen by the sword. All who had spread terror in the land of the living went down uncircumcised to the earth below. They bear their shame with those who go down to the pit.

25 A bed is made for her among the slain, with all her hordes around her grave. All of them are uncircumcised, killed by the sword. Because their terror had spread in the land of the living, they bear their shame with those who go down to the pit; they are laid among the slain.

26 “Meshech and Tubal are there, with all their hordes around their graves. All of them are uncircumcised, killed by the sword because they spread their terror in the land of the living.

27 Do they not lie with the other uncircumcised warriors who have fallen, who went down to the grave with their weapons of war, whose swords were placed under their heads? The punishment for their sins rested on their bones, though the terror of these warriors had stalked through the land of the living.

28 “You too, O Pharaoh, will be broken and will lie among the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword.

29 “Edom is there, her kings and all her princes; despite their power, they are laid with those killed by the sword. They lie with the uncircumcised, with those who go down to the pit.

30 “All the princes of the north and all the Sidonians are there; they went down with the slain in disgrace despite the terror caused by their power. They lie uncircumcised with those killed by the sword and bear their shame with those who go down to the pit.

31 “Pharaoh—he and all his army—will see them and he will be consoled for all his hordes that were killed by the sword, declares the Sovereign Lord.

32 Although I had him spread terror in the land of the living, Pharaoh and all his hordes will be laid among the uncircumcised, with those killed by the sword, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

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Analysis of Ezekiel Chapter 32

Ezekiel Chapter 32 stands as one of the profound and somber poetic oracles of the biblical text, focusing on a lamentation for Pharaoh and Egypt. This chapter accentuates themes of judgment, divine sovereignty, and the transient nature of earthly power. Here, Ezekiel is tasked with prophesying against Egypt, drawing a stark and vivid picture of its impending downfall.

Structure of Ezekiel Chapter 32

To systematically understand Ezekiel 32, one must consider its structural elements:

  1. Verses 1-10: Lamentation for Pharaoh, the great dragon.
  2. Verses 11-16: The sword of Babylon and the destruction of Egypt.
  3. Verses 17-32: The descent of Egypt into the pit, joining other nations.

This structured breakdown allows us to delve into the detailed aspects of the chapter.

Verses 1-10: Lamentation for Pharaoh

The chapter begins with a specific timestamp indicating the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, on the first day. The precision reflects the divine origin and importance of the message:

“Son of man, take up a lament concerning Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him:
‘You are like a lion among the nations; you are like a monster in the seas thrashing about in your streams, churning the water with your feet and muddying the streams.'”

Ezekiel poetically describes Pharaoh, first as a lion, symbolizing his strength and dominance, and then shifts to a “monster in the seas” — a likely reference to a crocodile or dragon. This change of metaphor highlights Pharaoh’s once-fearsome presence and how his actions disturb and taint the surroundings.

The imagery of the seas and streams being muddied emphasizes the chaos and turmoil caused by Pharaoh’s reign. The metaphor of Pharaoh as a sea monster also has cultural resonances, hearkening to ancient Near Eastern mythology where sea monsters like Leviathan symbolize chaos and evil forces opposed to God’s order.

“This is what the Sovereign LORD says:
‘With a great throng of people I will cast my net over you, and they will haul you up in my net.'”

The prophetic lament continues with God declaring His judgment. The “net” symbolizes God’s inescapable power and sovereign judgment. Despite Pharaoh’s strength, he cannot evade God’s determined resolution.

Verses 5-6 graphically depict Pharaoh’s demise, with his flesh strewn upon the mountains and valleys filled with his remains. The depiction is both literal and symbolic, speaking not only to the physical death but also the complete and utter disgrace that would come over Egypt. This is reiterated using stark natural imageries further:

“I will drench the land with your flowing blood all the way to the mountains, and the ravines will be filled with your flesh.”

Blood signifies life, and its spilling is a poignant sign of the loss of life and imminent catastrophe. The magnitude of destruction is such that even nature is portrayed as participating in the mourning:

“When I snuff you out, I will cover the heavens and darken their stars;
I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon will not give its light.
All the shining lights in the heavens I will darken over you;
I will bring darkness over your land, declares the Sovereign LORD.”

Cosmic disturbance often symbolizes significant divine intervention or judgment in prophetic literature. Here, it depicts the magnitude of Egypt’s fall, suggesting that Pharaoh’s collapse is not just a national tragedy but an event of universal significance. This also serves as a testimony to God’s ultimate control over creation.

Verses 11-16: The Sword of Babylon and the Destruction of Egypt

In verses 11-16, the focus shifts from symbolic imagery to more direct and clear implications of Egypt’s downfall:

“For this is what the Sovereign LORD says:
‘The sword of the king of Babylon will come against you.
I will cause your hordes to fall by the swords of mighty men—the most ruthless of all nations.
They will shatter the pride of Egypt, and all her hordes will be overthrown.'”

Here, God explicitly states that Babylon will be His instrument of judgment against Egypt. Historical context reveals that Babylon, under Nebuchadnezzar, was a rising power at the time, set to dominate the Near East, fulfilling this prophetic word. The sword, a recurring symbol in Ezekiel and prophetic literature, signifies war, judgment, and divine retribution.

The term “ruthless of the nations” emphasizes the terrifying and uncompromising nature of Babylon’s impending attack, designed to obliterate not just the military might of Egypt but its pride and spirit as well.

The ensuing verses paint a picture of desolation and despair:

“‘I will destroy all her cattle from beside abundant waters no longer to be stirred by the foot of man or muddied by the hoofs of cattle.
Then I will let her waters settle and make her streams flow like oil, declares the Sovereign LORD.
When I make Egypt desolate and strip the land of everything in it, when I strike down all who live there, then they will know that I am the LORD.'”

The destruction is so thorough that the once-rich and fertile land becomes desolate. The emphasis on the waters becoming as smooth as oil contrasts sharply with the earlier imagery of the disrupted streams, indicating a return to a natural but unnatural peace borne from lifelessness and abandonment.

This divine judgment serves a purpose beyond punishment: it is intended to demonstrate God’s sovereignty. The repeated phrase “then they will know that I am the LORD” is a central theme, indicating that all these acts of judgment are ultimately to affirm and reveal the supremacy of Yahweh.

Verses 17-32: The Descent of Egypt into the Pit

These final verses delve into the imagery of Sheol, the realm of the dead:

“In the twelfth year, on the fifteenth day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me:
‘Son of man, wail for the hordes of Egypt and consign to the earth below both her and the daughters of mighty nations, along with those who go down to the pit.'”

The pit symbolizes Sheol, the shadowy underworld where the dead reside. The repetition of a timestamp again underscores the significance of this prophetic word.

Egypt’s descent into the pit symbolizes ultimate defeat and humiliation, joining the ranks of other defeated nations. The poetic lamentation lists various nations and their leaders who are already in Sheol, providing a grim companionship:

“There is Assyria with her whole army; she is surrounded by the graves of all her slain,
all who have fallen by the sword.
Their graves are in the depths of the pit and her army lies around her grave.
All who had spread terror in the land of the living are slain, fallen by the sword.”

Assyria is mentioned first, a powerful empire that predated Babylon and which had fallen decades before. This serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of empires rising and falling under God’s ultimate authority.

Following Assyria, other nations such as Elam, Meshech, Tubal, Edom, and Sidon are mentioned. Each description reiterates the finality and totality of divine judgment, regardless of prior strength or terror they inflicted in life. These nations lie in the depths of the pit, emphasizing Sheol’s collective and undifferentiated nature.

The overarching theme transcends historical context, suggesting that all earthly powers ultimately fall under God’s judgment. No matter how powerful or terrifying in life, these nations and their leaders are rendered powerless and equal in death.

“Pharaoh and all his army will see them and he will be consoled for all his hordes that were killed by the sword, declares the Sovereign LORD.
Although I had terrorized him with my terror, he and his hordes lie slain among those killed by the sword, declares the Sovereign LORD.”

This concluding statement affirms the collective destiny of the proud and the mighty. They are all brought to the same end, providing a chilling consolation. Pharaoh’s recognition of this reality in the afterlife reiterates the profound truth of divine justice and the futility of earthly pride and power in the face of God’s eternal sovereignty.

Concluding Insights

Ezekiel Chapter 32 is a rich and intense prophetic declaration, layered with metaphors and themes that emphasize the sovereignty of God and the inevitable downfall of earthly powers. Several important reflections can be drawn:

  • Divine sovereignty: Throughout, it is clear that God controls the rise and fall of nations. The prophecy asserts His ultimate authority over history.
  • Judgment and justice: The chapter is a poetic exploration of divine retribution. Egypt’s fate is a testament to the principle that all human pride and power are subject to divine judgment.
  • The transient nature of earthly power: Pharaoh, once mighty like a lion and a sea monster, is ultimately powerless before God’s decision. This serves as a timeless reminder of the temporary and fragile nature of human power.
  • Universal application: The chapter extends beyond Egypt, symbolizing the fate of all nations that oppose God. This universal application stresses the accountability of all nations to God’s moral and sovereign order.
  • Cosmic significance: The disturbances in the heavens underscore the far-reaching impact of divine judgments, portraying such events as universally significant.

Ezekiel’s poetic, often stark language serves to convey significant theological truths robustly and memorably. This chapter encapsulates a profound message on the nature of divine justice, the order of the cosmos under God’s command, and the inevitable fate of earthly powers detached from divine righteousness.

In conclusion, Ezekiel Chapter 32 offers a poignant reflection on divine justice, the sovereignty of God, and the eventual downfall of all earthly pride and power. It stands as a timeless reminder of the supreme authority of God over all creation and history, urging both reverence and humility before His majesty.