Topical Bible: Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: Prophetic Illustration of Its Destruction

◄ Egypt: Prophecies Respecting: Prophetic Illustration of Its Destruction ►

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Egypt, a significant nation in biblical history, is frequently mentioned in the Scriptures, not only for its interactions with Israel but also for the prophecies concerning its future. The Bible contains several prophecies that illustrate the impending destruction and judgment upon Egypt, serving as a testament to God's sovereignty and justice.

Prophetic Illustrations of Destruction:

1. Isaiah's Prophecy:
The prophet Isaiah foretold the downfall of Egypt in a vivid and comprehensive manner. In Isaiah 19:1-4 , the Lord declares, "Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians will melt within them. I will provoke Egyptian against Egyptian; brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom. The spirit of the Egyptians will be emptied out from among them, and I will confound their plans. They will resort to idols and spirits of the dead, to mediums and spiritists. I will deliver the Egyptians into the hands of harsh masters, and a fierce king will rule over them," declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.

This prophecy highlights internal strife, the futility of idolatry, and subjugation under foreign rule, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of Egypt's judgment.

2. Ezekiel's Prophecy:
Ezekiel provides a detailed account of Egypt's impending desolation. In Ezekiel 29:9-12 , the Lord proclaims, "The land of Egypt will become a desolate wasteland. Then they will know that I am the LORD. Because you said, ‘The Nile is mine; I made it,’ therefore I am against you and your streams, and I will make the land of Egypt a ruin and a desolation, from Migdol to Syene, as far as the border of Cush. No foot of man or beast will pass through, and it will be uninhabited for forty years. I will make the land of Egypt a desolation among devastated lands, and her cities will lie desolate for forty years among ruined cities. And I will disperse the Egyptians among the nations and scatter them throughout the countries."

This passage underscores the pride of Egypt and the resulting divine judgment, leading to a period of desolation and dispersion.

3. Jeremiah's Prophecy:
Jeremiah also speaks of Egypt's downfall in Jeremiah 46:19 , where he states, "Pack your bags for exile, O daughter dwelling in Egypt! For Memphis will be laid waste, destroyed and uninhabited."

This prophecy serves as a warning of the impending exile and destruction of key Egyptian cities, illustrating the thoroughness of God's judgment.

4. The Role of Nebuchadnezzar:
The Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar is often depicted as an instrument of God's judgment against Egypt. In Ezekiel 30:10-11 , the Lord declares, "I will put an end to the hordes of Egypt by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. He and his troops—the most ruthless of nations—will be brought in to destroy the land. They will draw their swords against Egypt and fill the land with the slain."

This prophecy highlights the use of foreign powers to execute divine judgment, demonstrating God's control over the nations.

These prophecies concerning Egypt serve as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and the certainty of His word. The prophetic illustrations of Egypt's destruction are not only historical accounts but also serve as spiritual lessons on the consequences of pride, idolatry, and disobedience to the divine will.

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Jeremiah 43:9,10
Take great stones in your hand, and hide them in the clay in the brick kiln, which is at the entry of Pharaoh's house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah;
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Ezekiel 30:21,22
Son of man, I have broken the arm of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and, see, it shall not be bound up to be healed, to put a roller to bind it, to make it strong to hold the sword.
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Ezekiel 32:4-6
Then will I leave you on the land, I will cast you forth on the open field, and will cause all the fowls of the heaven to remain on you, and I will fill the beasts of the whole earth with you.
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Library

The Hebrew Prophecies.
... Egypt, on the south, was also a mighty ... common denominator for this collection of
prophecies.". ... several interesting critical inquiries respecting the component ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter v the hebrew prophecies.htm

The Book of Enoch
... that a certain tract, transmitted from Egypt, and purchased ... of a writing of Enoch
respecting the reward ... writer especially had studied the prophecies of Daniel ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of enoch.htm

The Figurative Language of Scripture.
... (4.) In regard to those prophecies which relate ... as only the vehicle of certain ideas
respecting deity. ... and many feathers [Pharaoh, king of Egypt]: and behold ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxv the figurative language.htm

Interpretation of Prophecy.
... the Syrian monarchy, or perhaps Syria and Egypt. ... become absorbed in calculations
beforehand respecting its dates is ... sober comparison of the prophecies with the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm

Origen Against Celsus
... these Greek stories which the Jew adduced respecting those who ... we may conclude that
they who came out of Egypt? ... account of the manner in which prophecies are ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/

The Earlier Hebrew Histories.
... and commissions of Babylonian and Persian kings respecting the return ... we now regard
and class as the prophecies. ... knowledge of the affairs of Egypt, Tyre, Syria ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter iv the earlier hebrew.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... they promise a shower of doctrine like prophetic clouds which ... angels' food, and sighed
for the flesh of Egypt. ... I am to infer His wishes respecting ourselves. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

On the Interpretation of Scripture
... recognises only its supernatural and prophetic character, and ... authorship, as, for
example, that respecting St ... maintain that the roll of prophecies is completed ...
/.../on the interpretation of scripture.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... [Illustration: 311.jpg IRANIAN SOLDIER FIGHTING AGAINST THE ... were drawn round in
Pharaoh's orbit; Egypt had shown ... a summary of all the prophecies delivered by ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
... miracles performed by him, and the prophecies fulfilled in ... Jesus on his journey to
Egypt; and after ... is pregnant with the deepest meaning respecting the counsel ...
/.../the christ of the gospels.htm