Ezekiel: For His GloryVoorbeeld

The second major section of the oracles against the nations concerns Egypt (Ezek. 29–32). Why is so much space devoted to Egypt? At the time the prophecy is dated, Jerusalem had been under siege for about a year. Perhaps some hoped that Hophra, King of Egypt, would help out Israel. But Ezekiel (and his contemporary Jeremiah; see Jer. 37:5–8; 44:30) viewed Nebuchadnezzar as the Lord’s servant. Hence those who resisted the Babylonian king resisted the Lord Himself. 

There are two dominant pictures of Egypt (vv. 1–16):  

1. As a great sea monster combined with a crocodile. The king of Egypt was boasting that he created and owns the Nile River (v. 3; cf. v. 9). In effect he claimed to be the source of the land’s fertility; of course, this is blasphemous. So this sea monster will be dragged out of the stream and cast into the desert to rot. 
2. As a reed (v. 6). But Egypt is not useful as a staff or a crutch; that is Egypt is not reliable as an ally of Israel. So Pharaoh will be defeated and the reign of Egypt as a world power will come to an end. Yet there is hope that Egypt will be restored (vv. 13–16; cf. Isa. 19:19–25). 

The next prophecy (vv. 17–21) is the last recorded prophecy of Ezekiel, dated sixteen years after the siege of Jerusalem. There is an adjustment of Ezekiel’s previous prophecy (26:14). Tyre is reduced to vassal status but is not razed to the ground, neither did Babylon receive a great reward. So God grants Egypt to Babylon instead of Tyre. As mentioned previously, a successful siege did take place, under Alexander. So the prophecy is eventually fulfilled. 

The focus of prophecy is not the precise outline of future events but the proclamation of God’s purpose. Also, often with prophecy, we can see multiple fulfillments.

Reflection

Although prophecy might not be fulfilled in ways we expect, we can trust that God is sovereign and will bring His word to pass. As Christians, we can see how Old Testament prophecies often have an immediate fulfillment, followed by another fulfillment in Christ, and often a final fulfillment when Christ returns (cf. 2 Cor. 1:20).