Grasp the Gospel — Bible Comprehension Quizzes

Ezekiel 30 Devotional

Who Holds the Sword

The Day of the LORD is near, Ezekiel announces, a day of clouds and doom for the nations (30:3). Egypt's allies will fall with her, and the idols of Memphis will be destroyed (30:6, 13). One image carries the chapter. God says he has broken Pharaoh's arm, and it has been left unbandaged, too weak to grip a sword (30:21). He will break the other arm too, and he will place his own sword in the hand of Babylon's king (30:22-25).

Strength belongs to God to give and to take away. Pharaoh's arms fail, Babylon's arms are made strong, and both kings serve a purpose larger than their own. The psalmist contrasts those who rely on chariots and horses with those who rely on the name of the LORD (Psalm 20:7). That is a warning about the arms we lean on. It is also good news, because the LORD who breaks the arm of the proud is the same LORD who mends broken hearts and bandages their wounds (Psalm 147:3).

To think about: Whose strength, including your own, are you relying on most right now, and what would trusting the name of the LORD look like there?

About Ezekiel 30: Egypt’s Day of Doom

Ezekiel announces that the LORD’s day of judgment is near for Egypt, when its allies will fall with it and Babylon’s ruthless army will lay the land waste. God will destroy Egypt’s idols, break Pharaoh’s arms, strengthen Babylon’s king, and scatter the Egyptians so they recognize Him as the LORD.

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