How does Ezekiel 29:20 demonstrate God's sovereignty in rewarding Nebuchadnezzar? Setting the Scene • Ezekiel’s prophecy spans chapters 25–32, pronouncing judgment on surrounding nations. • In 29:17–21, God revisits Egypt’s coming downfall years after earlier oracles. • Nebuchadnezzar’s long, costly siege of Tyre (cf. Ezekiel 26–28) brought little spoil, yet God had used Babylon as His instrument of judgment. The Key Verse “I have given him the land of Egypt as his compensation for which he labored, since they worked for Me,” declares the Lord GOD. (Ezekiel 29:20) Observations on God’s Sovereignty in Rewarding Nebuchadnezzar • God speaks in the first person—“I have given”—underscoring that ultimate authority over nations and territories rests with Him alone (cf. Psalm 24:1; Daniel 2:21). • Egypt is not earned by Babylonian might but granted by divine decree; military effort is acknowledged (“they labored”) yet the reward comes only because God wills it. • The phrase “they worked for Me” reveals that—even unknowingly—Nebuchadnezzar served God’s redemptive purposes (cf. Jeremiah 25:9; Isaiah 10:5–7). • By promising Egypt as “compensation,” God shows He is no debtor; when He employs human agents, He also arranges their recompense (cf. Romans 13:1–2). • The prophecy’s eventual fulfillment (Babylon’s invasion of Egypt ca. 568 B.C.) validates the Lord’s foreknowledge and control over history. Why Reward a Pagan King? • Divine justice: Years of costly warfare against Tyre left Babylon unrewarded; God balances the scales (Proverbs 16:11). • Instrumental service: Though Nebuchadnezzar did not worship Yahweh, his campaigns accomplished God’s judgment on prideful nations (Jeremiah 27:6). • Demonstration of sovereignty: By raising up and compensating a pagan ruler, God shows He can use anyone, anytime, to advance His plans (Isaiah 45:1–4). • Warning to Egypt and comfort to Judah: Egypt’s downfall proves false the hope of Judah’s rebels who trusted in Pharaoh; meanwhile, God’s people can rest in His governing hand (Ezekiel 29:6–16). Supporting Scriptures on God’s Sovereign Distribution of Nations • Deuteronomy 32:8—“When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance…” • Psalm 75:6–7—“Promotion does not come from the east or west… God is Judge; He puts down one, and exalts another.” • Acts 17:26—God “determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation.” Lessons for Us Today • History is not random; every geopolitical shift aligns with God’s larger narrative. • God rewards service—even unwitting service—according to His righteousness and timing. • Trust in God’s governance frees believers from fear when world powers rise or fall. • Humility is essential; if mighty Egypt could fall and Babylon could be merely a tool, no nation or leader is beyond God’s reach (1 Peter 5:6). |
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