Ezekiel 30:18
The day will be darkened in Tahpanhes when I break the yoke of Egypt and her proud strength comes to an end. A cloud will cover her, and her daughters will go into captivity.
The day will be darkened in Tahpanhes
Tahpanhes, also known as Daphnae, was a significant city in ancient Egypt, located in the eastern Nile Delta. It served as a fortress and a place of refuge for many, including the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 43:7-9). The darkening of the day symbolizes impending judgment and calamity, often associated with divine intervention (Amos 5:18-20). This imagery of darkness is used throughout the Bible to signify God's judgment (Joel 2:2, Zephaniah 1:15).

when I break the yoke of Egypt
The "yoke" represents oppression and bondage, often used to describe the subjugation of one nation by another (Leviticus 26:13, Jeremiah 28:2). Egypt's yoke refers to its dominance and influence over other nations, which God promises to break. This breaking of the yoke signifies liberation and the end of Egypt's power, aligning with God's historical pattern of delivering His people from oppression (Exodus 6:6).

and her proud strength comes to an end
Egypt was renowned for its military might and cultural achievements, often characterized by pride and self-reliance (Isaiah 30:7). The end of Egypt's proud strength indicates a humbling by God, a common theme where God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 16:18, James 4:6). This serves as a reminder of the futility of human pride against divine sovereignty.

A cloud will cover her
The cloud is a metaphor for impending doom and divine judgment. In biblical literature, clouds often accompany God's presence and judgment (Exodus 19:9, Nahum 1:3). This imagery suggests an overwhelming and inescapable judgment that envelops Egypt, indicating God's active role in the unfolding events.

and her daughters will go into captivity
"Daughters" here likely refers to the smaller towns and settlements under Egypt's control, personified as female dependents. Captivity is a common consequence of divine judgment, as seen in the Babylonian exile of Judah (2 Kings 24:14). This phrase underscores the totality of Egypt's defeat and the dispersion of its people, reflecting the broader biblical theme of exile as a result of sin and rebellion against God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Tehaphnehes
An ancient city in Egypt, known as a significant fortress and royal residence. It symbolizes the strength and pride of Egypt.

2. Egypt
A powerful nation often seen as a symbol of worldly power and opposition to God's people. In this context, it represents a nation under judgment.

3. Yoke of Egypt
Represents the oppressive power and influence Egypt had over other nations, including Israel.

4. Cloud
Symbolizes God's judgment and the obscuring of Egypt's power and glory.

5. Daughters of Egypt
Refers to the inhabitants of Egypt, indicating their impending captivity and loss of freedom.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Nations
God's judgment on Egypt demonstrates His ultimate authority over all nations. No earthly power can withstand His will.

The Consequences of Pride
Egypt's proud strength is brought low, reminding us that pride precedes a fall. We must remain humble before God.

The Reality of Divine Judgment
The imagery of darkness and captivity serves as a sobering reminder of the reality of God's judgment against sin and rebellion.

Trust in God's Deliverance
Just as God delivered Israel from Egypt's oppression, He is faithful to deliver His people from spiritual bondage today.

The Importance of Repentance
The fate of Egypt underscores the need for repentance and turning back to God to avoid judgment.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the judgment on Tehaphnehes reflect God's sovereignty over nations, and what implications does this have for our understanding of current world events?

2. In what ways can pride lead to downfall in our personal lives, and how can we guard against it?

3. How does the imagery of darkness in Ezekiel 30:18 compare to other instances of darkness in the Bible, and what does it teach us about God's judgment?

4. What lessons can we learn from Egypt's captivity that apply to our spiritual lives today?

5. How can we apply the message of repentance and deliverance in Ezekiel 30:18 to our daily walk with God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 10:21-23
The plague of darkness over Egypt during the time of Moses, symbolizing God's judgment and power over Egypt.

Jeremiah 46:25-26
A prophecy against Egypt, similar to Ezekiel's, predicting its downfall and the captivity of its people.

Isaiah 19:1-4
A prophecy concerning Egypt's judgment, highlighting the futility of their idols and the internal strife that will lead to their downfall.
Broken YokesW. Clarkson Ezekiel 30:18
The Lord's Day in EgyptJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 30:1-19
People
Cherethites, Cushites, Egyptians, Ethiopians, Ezekiel, Lud, Lydia, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, Pharaoh, Phut
Places
Arabia, Babylon, Cush, Egypt, Libya, Lud, Memphis, Migdol, Nile River, On, Pathros, Pelusium, Pi-beseth, Put, Syene, Tehaphnehes, Thebes, Zoan
Topics
Bars, Break, Breaking, Broken, Captivity, Cease, Ceased, Cloud, Clouds, Cover, Covered, Dark, Darkened, Daughters, Dominion, Egypt, Excellency, Itself, Pomp, Power, Pride, Prisoners, Proud, Strength, Tahpanhes, Tehaphnehes, Tehaph'nehes, Villages, Withdraw, Yoke, Yokes
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 30:18

     4696   yoke
     4805   clouds
     4812   darkness, God's judgment
     4930   end

Library
Sargon of Assyria (722-705 B. C. )
SARGON AS A WARRIOR AND AS A BUILDER. The origin of Sargon II.: the revolt of Babylon, Merodach-baladan and Elam--The kingdom of Elam from the time of the first Babylonian empire; the conquest's of Shutruh-nalkunta I.; the princes of Malamir--The first encounter of Assyria and Elam, the battle of Durilu (721 B.C.)--Revolt of Syria, Iaubidi of Hamath and Hannon of Gaza--Bocchoris and the XXIVth Egyptian dynasty; the first encounter of Assyria with Egypt, the battle of Raphia (720 B.C.). Urartu
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and Ungodly Men.
Scriptures Showing The Sin And Danger Of Joining With Wicked And Ungodly Men. When the Lord is punishing such a people against whom he hath a controversy, and a notable controversy, every one that is found shall be thrust through: and every one joined with them shall fall, Isa. xiii. 15. They partake in their judgment, not only because in a common calamity all shares, (as in Ezek. xxi. 3.) but chiefly because joined with and partakers with these whom God is pursuing; even as the strangers that join
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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