How can we see God's sovereignty in Ezekiel 30:11's depiction of judgment? Setting the Stage: Egypt’s Day of Reckoning Ezekiel 30 is God’s oracle against Egypt. After centuries of idolatry and oppression, Egypt’s pride meets the Lord’s decree of downfall. Verse 11 zooms in on the invading force God chooses to execute His judgment. Verse Snapshot • “He and his people with him, the most ruthless of nations, will be brought in to destroy the land” (Ezekiel 30:11a) • “They will unsheathe their swords against Egypt and fill the land with the slain” (Ezekiel 30:11b) Sovereignty on Display • God selects the instrument: Egypt’s fate isn’t random warfare; the invaders are “brought in” by Him. • He controls the timing: the verb “will be brought” underscores divine initiative, not mere political happenstance. • He governs the outcome: destruction and “slain” are sure because the Lord has spoken (cf. Isaiah 55:11). • He preserves His covenant plan: Egypt’s fall clears the stage for Israel’s restoration (Ezekiel 30:26). Echoes Across Scripture • Assyria against Israel (Isaiah 10:5-7) – God wields a nation as “the rod of My anger.” • Babylon against Judah (Jeremiah 25:9) – the king called “My servant” to fulfill prophecy. • Cyrus for return (Isaiah 45:1-4) – even pagan rulers are servants to His purpose. • Acts 4:27-28 – Herod and Pilate did “what Your hand…predestined to occur,” showing continuity from Old to New Testament. Why It Matters Today • History is never out of God’s hands; empires rise and fall at His command. • Personal crises, like national ones, fit inside a larger redemptive plan (Romans 8:28). • God’s justice is sure; His patience with sin has limits, but His promises endure. • Our response: humble trust in the One who “does according to His will in heaven and on earth” (Daniel 4:35). |
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