In what ways does Ezekiel 29:2 connect to God's judgment in other Scriptures? Setting the Scene “Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt and prophesy against him and against all Egypt.” (Ezekiel 29:2) Immediate Context • Ezekiel is commissioned to confront Egypt’s ruler. • “Set your face against” signals deliberate, resolute opposition from God (cf. Ezekiel 13:17; 21:2). • The target—Pharaoh—embodies national arrogance and idolatry. Echoes of Past Judgment on Egypt • Exodus 12:12 — “I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt.” God once judged Egypt’s gods; now He indicts its king. • Exodus 14:4 — “I will gain glory over Pharaoh.” The same divine aim—public vindication—is repeated in Ezekiel. • Jeremiah 46:25–26 echoes: “Behold, I am about to punish Amon of Thebes, Pharaoh, Egypt, her gods and her kings.” The Pattern of “Setting Face” in Scripture • Leviticus 20:3 — “I will set My face against that man.” Applies to individual sin. • Ezekiel 28:22 — “Set your face against Sidon.” Nations as corporate sinners. • Revelation 6:16 — “Hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne.” Final cosmic application. God’s “face” represents direct, personal engagement—first with individuals, then nations, finally the whole world. Judgment on Pride: A Consistent Theme • Isaiah 14:13–15 — The fall of proud Babylon’s king mirrors Egypt’s downfall. • Daniel 4:30–32 — Nebuchadnezzar’s pride meets swift judgment. • Obadiah 3–4 — Edom’s arrogance draws God’s rebuke. Ezekiel 29 singles out Pharaoh’s boast (“The Nile is mine,” v. 9) as the same kind of pride God condemns everywhere. Prophetic Lawsuit Structure 1. Accusation (sin named) 2. Sentence (judgment pronounced) 3. Purpose (“Then they will know that I am the LORD,” Ezekiel 29:6) This framework appears in Isaiah 10 (Assyria), Jeremiah 25 (many nations), and Amos 1–2 (neighboring kingdoms). Egypt as a Type of Worldly Security • Isaiah 30:1–3 — “Taking refuge in Pharaoh” brings shame. • Hosea 7:11 — Israel “turns to Egypt” and reaps destruction. Ezekiel 29 reiterates that leaning on Egypt is futile; God judges the very thing people trust instead of Him. Forward Glimpse to Final Judgment • Revelation 18 depicts Babylon’s fall with language reminiscent of earlier oracles: pride, wealth, sudden ruin. • As with Pharaoh, world powers that exalt themselves will face God’s ultimate reckoning. Key Takeaways • God’s judgment is consistent—past (Exodus), present (Ezekiel), and future (Revelation). • He opposes national and personal pride wherever it surfaces. • “Setting His face” underscores inescapable accountability. • Trust placed in any power other than the LORD is destined to disappoint. |
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