QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

Bible Study Guide/ Ezekiel 29, (26-BSG-29J)/ Questions and Answers.

[1] What is the main content of this chapter? The Desolation and Restoration of Egypt (1-16)/ Egypt to be given to Nebuchadrezzar as Recompense (17-21).

[2] When was this prophecy given? either to the tenth year of the exile or to the tenth year of Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry. It was typical at that time to date events by linking them to the reign of a king.

[3] Why is Pharaoh, king of Egypt, likened to “a great monster?” (29:3) “The word is cognate with that used in Gen. 1:21 for the great “whales,” monsters of the deep. The “dragon,” probably the crocodile of the Nile (compare the description of “leviathan” in Job 41) had come to be the received prophetic symbol of Egypt (Ps. 74:13; Isa. 27:1; 51:9).” (The Pulpit Commentary/ 2:125).

[4] What was Pharaoh’s primary sin? (29:3c). The sin of self-exaltation. Pharaoh boastfully declared, ‘My Nile is my own, and I have made it for myself.’

[5] What further evidence proves that Yahweh’s power over the dragon? (29:4) “But I will put hooks in your jaws [O Egyptian dragon] and I will cause the fish of your rivers to stick to your scales, and I will draw you up out of the midst of your streams with all the fish of your streams which stick to your scales.” (Ezekiel 29:4, AMP)

Note: Yahweh (the Creator) has power over the dragon (the Creature). God would capture the crocodile (the mightiest creature) with hooks and remove it from the river. [Compare: Job 41:2; Isa 30:28; 37:29].

[6] What twofold warnings were issued by God? (29:4) He would catch Pharaoh and pull him from his exalted position along with all his people (fish). He would abandon Pharaoh and his people the wilderness: They would perish and become food for wild animals.

[7] What else does Yahweh do? (29:6) He makes Himself known as the true Jehovah God, in the mystery of His person, over the king of Egypt: “And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know (understand and realize) that I am the Lord [the Sovereign Ruler, who calls forth loyalty and obedient service]” (Ezekiel 29:6a, AMP)

[8] What other sin is pointed out against Egypt? (29:6b-7). First, they have been “a staff of reed to the house of Israel.” Second, Egypt has encouraged Israel to rebel against Babylon, (Ezek. 17:11–21; Jer. 37:1–10)/ Third, she has failed to help Israel when she needed it, causing her destruction, (Jer. 37:1–10; 39:1–10).

[9] What is a staff of reed? (29:6b) “A metaphor highlighting their weakness and their failure to support Israel as promised. This is similar to the critique in 2 Kgs 18:21 (paralleled in Isa 36:6), in which Egypt mocks Judah for relying on Egyptian promises of help against a Mesopotamian empire.” [Faithlife Study Bible/ Eze 29:6].

[10] What judgment does the LORD pronounce against Pharaoh and his citizens? (29:8-12).

• They would suffer a devastating loss of life at the hands of Babylon, (cf. Ezek. 29:18–21)
• They would know the power of God, that He alone is the LORD: Due to their sinful pride and self-sufficiency.
• They would see their land and rivers totally destroyed: From Migdol (north) to Aswan (south) and as far as Cush (Ethiopia) on the southern border.
• They would see their land desolate for 40 years: The land and cities of Egypt would be devastated and lie desolate; The people would be deported to other countries.

[11] Egypt’s Restoration: Discuss God’s Mercy even during this judgment (29:13-16a).

• God would return the Egyptians back to their homeland after 40 years.
• The Egyptians would be returned to Pathros, to the land of their origin – (the land of southern Egypt).

[12] What was the purpose of Egypt’s Restoration? (29:14b) A lowly kingdom! — “It shall be the lowliest of kingdoms.” — The restoration’s only purpose is to present Egypt as an example to others (compare Ezek 16:53–55). Rather than being restored to its former glory, Egypt will remain weak. [Faithlife Study Bible/ Eze 29:14].

[13] What would Egypt no longer do? (29:14-15) “It shall never again exalt itself above the nations, for I will diminish them so that they will not rule over the nations anymore.” Egypt would be only a lowly, minor kingdom: they would never again be able to exalt themselves; they would never again rule over the nations; they would never again be “the confidence of the house of Israel.” (v. 16a).

[14] What was God’s purpose in judging Egypt? (29:16a). That the people know He is the LORD, the only true God! — “Again Ezekiel emphasized God’s purpose in judging Egypt (v. 16b): to prove that He is the one true God. Through judgment the LORD had sought to arouse the Egyptians to cry out for His help and mercy. Hopefully, some of the Egyptians would be sincere in seeking the LORD, repenting and turning to Him as the only living and true God.”  (The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible/ Ezekiel p. 234).

[15] Why was Egpyt given to Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon? (18-20)

• “Therefore, thus says the Lord God: ‘Surely I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; he shall take away her wealth, carry off her spoil, and remove her pillage; and that will be the wages for his army. I have given him the land of Egypt for his labor, because they worked for Me,’ says the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 29:19–20, NKJV)
• Because the Babylonian king had received so little from his conquest of Tyre, God promised to compensate him by giving Nebuchadnezzar the wealth and spoil and pillage of Egypt.
• There was a real sense in which Nebuchadnezzar and the armies of Babylon worked for God as His instruments of judgment! It was completely within God’s rights to reward these workers according to His will and wisdom – (as He saw fit).