What lessons can we learn about God's sovereignty from Ezekiel 29:7? The Broken Staff: A Visual Lesson “‘When they grasped you with the hand, you splintered and tore all their shoulders; when they leaned on you, you shattered and made their backs quiver.’” (Ezekiel 29:7) Egypt, the “staff of reed” (v. 6), looked sturdy but snapped under pressure, injuring those who trusted it. God uses this vivid picture to reveal His absolute control over nations and circumstances. God’s Sovereignty Shines Through Human Failure • He determines the rise and fall of kingdoms. – “He nullifies the plans of the nations… the plans of the LORD stand firm forever.” (Psalm 33:10-11) – Pharaoh’s very position served God’s purpose (Romans 9:17). • He exposes unreliable supports so His people learn to rely on Him alone. – Israel’s alliance with Egypt was condemned (Isaiah 31:1-3). – A broken reed reminds us, “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.” (Psalm 118:8). Sovereignty in Judgment • Nations are accountable to Him. Egypt’s betrayal was not overlooked; God decreed judgment (Ezekiel 29:8-12). • His justice is precise: He uses the very failure of the reed to discipline both Egypt and Israel, displaying that “no one can hold back His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” (Daniel 4:35). Sovereignty in Discipline for His People • God allows painful consequences to redirect hearts. – Like a cane that splinters, false confidences wound, but they also awaken dependence on the true King. – “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.” (Revelation 3:19) Living Under His Sovereign Hand Today • Examine where you lean—if it isn’t the Lord, it will eventually splinter. • Rest in the assurance that every twist in history serves His redemptive plan. “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; He directs it wherever He pleases.” (Proverbs 21:1) • Respond with humble trust and obedience, confessing with Isaiah, “O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our potter.” (Isaiah 64:8) God’s sovereignty is not abstract theology; it is the solid ground beneath our feet when every human staff gives way. |
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