Ezekiel’s Prophecy Against Egypt

In 598 BC, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon invaded Judah for a second time (2 Kings 24:2). The following year, he took King Jehoiachin of Judah captive (2 Kings 24:15-16) and installed Jehoiachin’s uncle, Zedekiah, as king (2 Kings 24:17). As a puppet king installed by Babylon, Zedekiah’s position was rather precarious. He had to pledge allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar, who was far away, while also trying to gain the loyalty of his nearby officials and people. He simultaneously worried that the prophets’ predictions would come true, yet he ignored the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, rebelling against Babylon and seeking alliance with Egypt (Ezekiel 17:15). The Pharaoh of Egypt at that time was Hophra (588-569 BC), Necho’s grandson. The people of Judah still clung to false hopes, stubbornly believing the false prophecies of peace delivered by false prophets, and continued to rely on Egypt. Zedekiah placed his last hope in Egypt, seeking its help to resist Babylon (Jeremiah 37:5-7), unaware that Egypt itself was in no position to help.

We all know that Egypt is one of the greatest ancient civilizations. The annual flooding of the Nile provided Egypt with stable water sources and fertile soil, and abundant agricultural output ensured the prosperity of its civilization. From a military perspective, Egypt’s terrain was advantageous; besides its northern and southern ends, most of its borders were natural barriers formed by deserts, making foreign invasion difficult. For over two millennia, Egypt experienced peaks and valleys. Some intermediate periods lasted a very long time. However, each time, Egypt managed to recover its economic and military strength and rise again. 

Around 1440 BC, Egypt was in the powerful 18th Dynasty of the New Kingdom period. Yet, through divine intervention, the Jewish people escaped from Egypt. During Egypt’s Late Period, Israel repeatedly sinned, relying on idolatrous pagan nations and forming alliances with Egypt, instead of relying on the one true God, Yahweh. God repeatedly warned the Jewish people through prophets like Ezekiel and Jeremiah that Egypt could not help them, but they remained stubborn and disobedient. In 588 BC, Pharaoh Hophra of Egypt led his army northward to help Zedekiah, who was besieged by Babylon, entering the Palestinian region to attack Babylon. However, he was defeated by Nebuchadnezzar and fled in disarray. Sixteen years later, Egypt also fell to Babylon, and its people were taken captive for 40 years. Later, like the Israelites, the Egyptians were released and returned to their homeland. But after this, Egypt never regained its former power and prestige.

 God intended to use Egypt’s fate to awaken His people, to completely address Israel’s tendency to rely on human strength. “Egypt shall no more be a reliance for the house of Israel but a reminder of their iniquity, when they turn to them for aid. Then they will know that I am the Lord GOD” (Ezekiel 29:16).