Ezekiel 32:1-32 Pharoah’s Laments
God gives Ezekiel Pharaoh’s laments. Two songs for him. Not one Pharaoh sings but those sung over him for his demise.
God gives Ezekiel two laments to sing over Pharaoh and the whole people of Egypt. They are given to him two weeks apart as a little more than a year from when God gave Ezekiel the last prophecy for Pharaoh. That one essentially said, “If I can take down Assyria, I can certainly take you down too!”
The first lament for Pharaoh likens him to a dragon. It appears to me that this dragon is sea bound and cannot live on land. Once it is ‘hooked’ and pulled from its environment, it dies a horrible death. It isn’t a natural death though. “I will strew your flesh upon the mountains and fill the valleys with your carcass. I will drench the land even to the mountains with your flowing blood, and the ravines will be full of you” (verses 5-6).
This is a bloody and brutal death. The dragon becomes food for the birds and beasts to feast on. Its blood fouls the land and taints all it touches. Later on we will read how those who supported or were in league with Pharaoh will fall too because of their association with him. His blood is on them and brings them down too.
Egypt’s demise would shake the region and God promised to make note of it through heavenly occurrences. God said He would bring about a darkness as a testimony; not unlike the darkness of the time of the exodus.
The last portion of this first lament may still be a future event. When Nebuchadnezzar conquered Egypt, he did not empty the land of all the people. He didn’t take them into captivity as he did with Judah. Egypt was made to serve him where they were. This DOES NOT invalidate God’s promise of total destruction and desolation. But that time and complete interpretation is for GOD to know; not me.
The second lament focuses on the next life. Egypt is in Sheol. But she is not alone. Again, all those who support her or align themselves with her are right beside her in her punishment. They all terrorized the land of the living and will share their future “with the uncircumcised, with those who are slain by the sword” (verse 32b). It is interesting that God says that Pharaoh would find comfort in having all his ‘buddies’ in hell with him. Misery loves company?
The “uncircumcised” is not only a mark in the flesh but of the heart too. In the time of Ezekiel, circumcision was a physical distinction between God’s people and the rest of the nations. I don’t know if the people were allowed to continue this outward association while in exile. When Moses led the people from Egypt, they were uncircumcised; even though God had given Abraham the commandment a LONG time ago. Once they were safely away from Egypt, they stopped and God instructed Moses to complete the covenant symbol for ALL the men. While slaves, they were still God’s people, but the distinction was carried in their hearts, and probably in their facial features.
With the new covenant we are not required to carry the outward physical marking but one of the heart instead. We are to cut away the fleshly part of our heart. The parts that chase after things of this world. This DOES NOT mean devoting your life to abject poverty and a ‘bottom dwelling’ existence. God calls many to exercise influence over others in their lives; inside and outside the church. And God does not require His children to go hungry to prove their dedication to Him. What He does call us to do is to subject our will to His. To allow Him to lead us and to place us where HE chooses. Be it in a seat of power or in the basement fixing the pipes; when it is done unto God, it is BEAUTIFUL.
Father God, thank You for adding me to Your family. Thank You for allowing me to share our time with others. I pray it blesses them as much as our time blesses me. I believe this is what You have called me to do. NOT because I’m some expert in the word but because I LOVE sharing the stories You give to me! I want to praise You and bring honor to You with every word I write.
Thank You for making a way for me to still get to share our time while my computer is being fixed. It is a strange ‘work around’ to me but YOU are SOOOO worth it Father! Help me to be able to complete our tasks every day until my normal routine can be returned/reestablished.
