Sunday: Killing the Monster, Oracle I: Ezekiel 29:1-16
The Nile was essential to Egypt’s livelihood—so much so the river was treated like a god. Hophra is compared to a ferocious crocodile who guarded the waters of the land, attacking any who challenged his claims. His pride (Ezekiel 29:1-5), and his disloyalty to Israel (Ezekiel 29:6-7) would be his downfall. God would bring the Babylonians to destroy them (Ezekiel 29:8-12). After 40 yrs., God would regather Egypt’s exiles and allow them to reestablish their kingdom, but it would always remain diminished (Ezekiel 29:13-16).
Monday: Wages Demanded, Oracle II: Ezekiel 29:17-21
Babylon’s extensive, prolonged siege against the city of Tyre had been a huge expense to Nebuchadnezzar’s regime. Most of Tyre’s wealth had been transported away from the city by their naval fleet prior to the city’s collapse, and Egypt had actually helped the Phoenicians to accomplish the transfer. God would allow Nebuchadnezzar’s expenses to be compensated by Egypt’s wealth! The oracle is capped by a promise of restored strength (the horn) to the nation of Judah (Ezekiel 29:21).
Tuesday: A Storm Announced, Oracle III: Ezekiel 30:1-19
The oracle of the storm has four distinct parts: (1) the announcement that the storm is coming (Ezekiel 30:1‑5), that would bring calamity upon Egypt and her allies, including Ethiopia (Cush), Put (an African nation), Lud (Lydia), the Arabian nations, Cub (Libya), and “the people of the covenant” who were likely Jews serving as Egyptian mercenaries; (2) Egypt’s desolation (Ezekiel 30:6-9); (3) God’s use of Babylon to punish Egypt (Ezekiel 30:10-12); and (4) the impossibility of escaping God’s wrath (Ezekiel 30:13-19). Why is it the nations never understand that God loves and protects Israel?
Wednesday: Breaking the Bones, Oracle IV: Ezekiel 30:20-26
Egypt would be helpless when God broke both of their arms (Egypt’s military might). No splints would be applied, nor would any bandages cover their wounds. The Egyptians were first broken at Carchemish in 605 b.c., when Babylon defeated Pharaoh Necho (2 Kings 24:7). Pharaoh Hophra was defeated trying to help Judah when Jerusalem was attacked (Ezekiel 37:5).
Thursday: Felling the Tree, Oracle V: Ezekiel 31:1-18
Egypt was indeed great but was overshadowed by the might of Assyria. The argument Ezekiel promotes in this oracle is that if Assyria was conquered by Babylon, then Babylon was also strong enough to conquer Egypt. He compared Egypt to Assyria’s greatness (Ezekiel 31:1-9), then graphically described Assyria’s fall like the cutting down of a mighty tree (Ezekiel 31:10-14). The imagery is capped by describing Assyria’s burial (Ezekiel 31:15-18).
Friday: Trapping the Monster, Oracle VI: Ezekiel 32:1-16
No matter how mighty and powerful Egypt’s ruler (as a young lion, or a large whale—or dragon of the sea), God would bring an overwhelming force against him and capture him with a great net, then allow the surrounding nations to feast on his flesh (wealth and might). Egypt’s downfall and destruction will be so complete that the nations of the world will be in awe (Ezekiel 32:10) and will sorely lament her passing (Ezekiel 32:16).
Saturday: Burying the Corpse, Oracle VII: Ezekiel 32:17-32
The downfall of Egypt is so dramatic that Ezekiel is told to wail for her vast multitude, who will descend into sheol—the realm of the dead. The scene is macabre, with other godless peoples also in sheol, all taunting the Egyptians as they enter. In the grave, all pride and beauty is stripped away forever.