Thurs.’s Devo - The Fall of Egypt

Read: Ezekiel 29:1-30:26; Hebrews 11:32-12:13; Psalm 112:1-10; Proverbs 27:17 On the 12th day of the 10th month of the 10th year of Jehoiachin’s captivity to Babylon God have Ezekiel this message to Egypt. This was almost exactly one year from the time God told Ezekiel that Babylon was going to begin its attack against Jerusalem (Ezekiel 24:1,2). *** God called Egypt a great monster that lurked in the Nile. God was going to drag its people with hooks from their land and leave them stranded in the wilderness to die. Israel had come to her for help but Egypt had only hurt them. Egypt would remain uninhabited for forty years and its survivors scattered throughout the earth. At the end of the forty years, God would bring the Egyptians home again and restore their prosperity. But, Egypt would remain a minor kingdom and never rise above its neighbors. Israel would not depend upon Egypt’s help again. What happened to Egypt would be a reminder of how foolish it was for Israel to depend on Egypt in the first place, when The Sovereign Lord was their God. *** Nebuchadnezzar would carry off the wealth of Egypt to pay his army. It would be their reward for working for the Lord. Ethiopia, Libya, Lydia and all Arabia will hear of Egypt’s destruction and be horrified. They will be destroyed too. *** Two months later, God gave Ezekiel another prophecy about Egypt, confirming the first one. Egypt’s Pharaoh would fall to Babylon’s king. Egyptians would be scattered throughout the earth and they would know that God is Lord. *** In Hebrews we read of the ones who did great miracles and saw great victories and those who died a martyr’s death and never saw all the things they had been promised because we must complete them. They are now a great crowd in heaven that witness our race to finish what was begun in their lifetime. *** Jesus endured the cross because he knew what it would do for us in the future. His joy would come from seeing us benefit from his death and suffering. *** The writer reminds us of Jesus’ encouraging words that he disciplines those he loves. In other words, he will lovingly help us walk the walk that Jesus walked. When he disciplines us it is always for our good even if it doesn’t feel good at the time. After disciplining us, he encourages us to get back up and begin again with God’s strength. *** Lord, may we welcome your discipline in our lives and remember all you have done for us. May we continue the race that others have started with victory, passing the baton to those who come behind us. Thank you that You are the prize at the end.