Quote for Thursday 19 June 2025   ^#18

Reading: Hebrews 4, Sermon: Jeremiah 23:28-29

reading: Matthew 24
sermon: Mark 13:14-18

In verses 1-8 Jesus gives a prediction that was prompted by the comment of the disciples about the temple buildings. He speaks of how things would be in the world, then he issues a caution, and finally a clarification.

The question that arises is, how are things going to be in and for the church? He predicts future difficulties. There will be three levels of opposition: religious, political, and domestic. The Christian age is an age of suffering. He also predicts future progress for the church: general progress (v10), individual (v11), and a universal promise (v13). This brings us to today's section, verses 14-18.

He was king for 40 years, and only 7 years old when he became king. The OT is all about Jesus Christ, the coming Messiah. Genesis 49 has a promise in the blessing of Jacob, and a particular one given to the tribe of Judah.

Jesus challenges his disciples' unbelief and their lack of understanding in the miracles they witnessed.

As God weakened Egypt and made Pharaoh defenceless, he would strengthen Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon. Pharaoh would be left with the groans of death.

Two months later Ezekiel receives another word from the Lord with a message for Pharaoh.

The rise and demise of Assyria is a forewarning to Pharaoh of his own impending doom. If God can do such to Assyria, he can also do it to Egypt.

Ezekiel is helping Judah to see that part of their fate and devine judgment also cannot be escaped.

Pride and arrogance, in nations or individuals, are an offence to God. It made devils of angels and makes fiends out of men.

The lesson for us is in Micah 6:8: Let us walk humbly with our God.

Egypt was a nation to which Israel often looked for help. When the Egyptian army arrived the seige from Babylon was temporarily halted, but when Egypt went back the destruction of Jerusalem proceeded. God wanted them to see that their hope placed in Egypt was in vain.

At the time of this prophecy Egypt was strong and had existed for 2500 years. The pyramids had already stood for 2000 years. What Egypt did is without parallel in human history, yet Ezekiel is saying that the God of Israel is going to judge this powerful nation and its gods.

Babylon was powerful and merciless. The prophecy of Habakkuk asks why God would judge Judah for their wickedness by using an even more wicked nation. God sometimes uses one wicked nation to judge another one.

This passage talks about the importance of godly oversight. Those of us not in that position are to be modelled on theirs, so what they do we should also be doing.

People in high leadership can often develop a god-complex. God is going to humble the fat crocodile that is basking in the Nile. The crocodile god was called Sebek. He was considered to be Egypt's protector and was at times connected with the sun-god Ra.

Why is God doing this? Egypt had always been where Israel went when they were in trouble. Israel so often looked to Egypt for help, but it was like using a reed as a staff.

Ultimately we have to keep our eyes upon the Lord. We also need to be challenged by asking if we are dependable. Even much of contemporary Christianity looks to man rather than the Lord when there are problems.

This is the only instance where Ezekiel speaks of the restoration of a nation other than Israel. Restoration came under Greek rule, under Alexander the Great, a city was built called Alexandria that became an important centre of Christianity and Judaism. There is also a prophecy concerning Egypt in Isaiah. God still has a purpose for Egypt, as he does for Israel.

Are we willing to labour for our king as Nebuchadnezzar's army did for him? Nebuchadnezzar and his army worked for God and God rewarded them with the riches of Egypt. We can be certain he will bestow a reward on those whom he calls his children.

Zidon, founded by Sidon son of Canaan, is the oldest of the Phoenician cities. Chapters 25 to 32 deal with judgment on the nations. There are seven oracles given against Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyrus, and today we will talk about Zidon, and then Egypt. In the midst of all that is this section from v24-26 where Israel are brought back into the picture.

In the time of Joshua Zidon was a great city, full of riches and sinfulness. It was greater than Tyrus at first, but eventually Tyrus overshadowed it. The people were sea-faring and the first to use the Pole Star to sail by night. It was a walled city, strongly fortified, known for pottery, woven work, and slavery.

Israel is God's elect nation. When he does bring them back to the land, the nation is going to be once again consecrated to God. Nobody will make them afraid again; no more sirens going off to warn of incoming missles.

Chapter 29 begins the judgment of Egypt. Israel had been slaves there for 400 years; we would think they were done with Egypt, but they looked back to Egypt in times of crisis. Isaiah gives a startling warning in chapter 31, woe to those who go to Egypt for help.

When we forget God, there is a tendency towards self-deification. It is a sin of every king of every people who fail to recognise God.