How does Ezekiel 32:20 illustrate God's judgment on the wicked nations? “They will fall among those slain by the sword. A sword is appointed; they drag her and all her multitudes away.” Key Observations from the Verse • “Fall among those slain” – Egypt, once proud, joins the ranks of already-judged nations; no special exemption exists for any power that opposes God. • “A sword is appointed” – the judgment is predetermined by God, underscoring His sovereign right to sentence and the certainty of the outcome (cf. Isaiah 14:24). • “They drag her” – passive language shows Egypt is powerless; divine justice overrules human strength (cf. Nahum 1:6). • “All her multitudes” – judgment is comprehensive, sweeping rulers and common people alike into the same fate (cf. Jeremiah 25:31). How the Verse Portrays God’s Judgment on Wicked Nations 1. Certainty of Judgment • The sword is “appointed,” leaving no doubt that God’s decree will be carried out (Ezekiel 30:10-11). 2. Equality in Judgment • Egypt “falls among” others; every nation that exalts itself against God faces identical consequences (Psalm 9:17). 3. Divine Initiative, Human Powerlessness • The passive “they drag her” highlights that once God acts, human resistance is futile (Isaiah 34:2). 4. Collective Accountability • “Her multitudes” indicates national sin brings collective repercussions; the unrighteous are gathered together in Sheol (Ezekiel 31:16-18). 5. Finality of Death • The slain are consigned to the grave, symbolizing irreversible termination of earthly glory and influence (Hebrews 9:27). Supporting Scripture Snapshots • Isaiah 13:11 – “I will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity.” • Jeremiah 46:10 – “That day is the day of the Lord GOD of Hosts, a day of vengeance.” • Revelation 19:15 – Christ wields the sword to strike down the nations, echoing the theme of decisive judgment. Takeaway Ezekiel 32:20 stands as a vivid, literal picture of how God’s sovereign, certain, and comprehensive judgment falls on every nation that persists in wickedness, reducing even the mightiest empire to the silent company of the slain. |
    |