Ezekiel 29:7

When Israel took hold of you with their hands, you splintered, tearing all their shoulders; when they leaned on you, you broke, and their backs were wrenched.

Study Bible

When Israel took hold of you with their hands
This phrase refers to the reliance of Israel on Egypt for support and alliance, particularly during times of political and military distress. Historically, Israel often sought Egypt's help against powerful empires like Assyria and Babylon. This reliance is seen in passages such as Isaiah 30:1-2, where God warns against seeking Egypt's aid instead of trusting Him. The imagery of taking hold with hands suggests a desperate grasp for stability and security.

you splintered, tearing all their shoulders
The metaphor of Egypt as a splintering staff highlights its unreliability and the harm caused to those who depend on it. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a staff symbolized support and strength. However, Egypt's failure to provide the expected support led to injury and disappointment for Israel, as seen in 2 Kings 18:21, where Egypt is described as a broken reed. The tearing of shoulders signifies the physical and emotional strain resulting from misplaced trust.

when they leaned on you, you broke
This phrase emphasizes the complete failure of Egypt as a dependable ally. Leaning implies trust and dependence, and Egypt's breaking represents its inability to uphold its promises. This failure is a recurring theme in the prophetic literature, where reliance on foreign powers instead of God leads to downfall. The breaking of Egypt is also prophetic, foreshadowing its eventual defeat and subjugation by Babylon, as prophesied in Ezekiel 30:10-12.

and their backs were wrenched
The wrenching of backs symbolizes the severe consequences and suffering experienced by Israel due to their reliance on Egypt. This imagery conveys the idea of being burdened and oppressed, reflecting the physical and spiritual toll of trusting in human power rather than divine guidance. The wrenched backs can also be seen as a type of Christ, who bore the ultimate burden and suffering on behalf of humanity, as described in Isaiah 53:4-5.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Ezekiel
A prophet of God who ministered to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. He conveyed God's messages, including judgments and promises of restoration.

2. Egypt
A powerful nation often seen as a symbol of worldly strength and reliance. In this context, Egypt is portrayed as an unreliable ally to Israel.

3. Pharaoh
The ruler of Egypt, representing the nation's leadership and its false promises of support.

4. Israel
The people of God who, during times of distress, sought alliances with foreign nations like Egypt instead of relying on God.

5. Babylonian Exile
The period when the Israelites were taken captive by Babylon, a time of judgment and reflection on their reliance on God versus foreign powers.

Teaching Points

The Danger of Misplaced Trust
Relying on worldly powers instead of God can lead to disappointment and harm. Just as Egypt was an unreliable support for Israel, so too can modern "Egypts" fail us.

God's Sovereignty Over Nations
God is in control of all nations and their leaders. Our ultimate trust should be in His plans and purposes, not in human alliances or strategies.

The Consequences of Disobedience
Ignoring God's guidance and seeking security in worldly solutions can lead to spiritual and physical consequences, as seen in Israel's experience.

The Call to Repentance and Faith
This passage serves as a reminder to turn back to God, placing our faith and trust in Him alone, especially in times of crisis.

Learning from History
The historical context of Israel's reliance on Egypt serves as a lesson for us to learn from past mistakes and to seek God's wisdom in our decisions.

Bible Study Questions

1. What are some modern-day "Egypts" that people might be tempted to rely on instead of God? How can we guard against this temptation?

2. How does the imagery of a splintered staff in Ezekiel 29:7 illustrate the consequences of misplaced trust? Can you think of a personal experience where you leaned on something unreliable?

3. In what ways does the account of Israel's reliance on Egypt parallel our own struggles with trusting God versus worldly solutions?

4. How can we apply the lessons from Ezekiel 29:7 to strengthen our faith and reliance on God during difficult times?

5. Reflect on a time when you faced a decision to trust in God or in human solutions. What scriptures or biblical principles guided your choice, and what was the outcome?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Isaiah 36-37
These chapters describe the Assyrian threat to Jerusalem and the temptation to rely on Egypt for help, highlighting the futility of trusting in human power over divine intervention.

Jeremiah 42-44
These passages recount the Israelites' flight to Egypt against God's command, further illustrating the theme of misplaced trust.

Psalm 118:8-9
This Psalm emphasizes the importance of trusting in the Lord rather than in human leaders or nations.