Ezekiel 30:12
I will make the streams dry up and sell the land to the wicked. By the hands of foreigners I will bring desolation upon the land and everything in it. I, the LORD, have spoken.
I will make the streams dry up
This phrase signifies a divine judgment on Egypt, a nation heavily reliant on the Nile River for its agriculture and sustenance. The drying up of streams symbolizes a catastrophic disruption of life and prosperity. In biblical context, water is often a symbol of life and blessing (Isaiah 44:3), and its removal indicates severe judgment. Historically, the Nile was central to Egypt's economy and culture, and any threat to its flow would have been devastating. This prophecy echoes the plagues of Egypt in Exodus, where God demonstrated His power over natural elements.

and sell the land to the wicked.
This indicates a transfer of control over Egypt to those who are unrighteous or hostile. The term "sell" suggests a transaction where God allows foreign powers to dominate Egypt as a form of judgment. In biblical history, God often used foreign nations as instruments of His judgment (Habakkuk 1:6). The "wicked" could refer to the Babylonians or other invading forces known for their cruelty and idolatry, emphasizing the severity of Egypt's punishment.

By the hands of foreigners I will bring desolation upon the land and everything in it.
This phrase highlights the method of judgment—through foreign invaders. Historically, Egypt faced invasions from various empires, including the Babylonians and Persians. The use of "foreigners" underscores the humiliation and helplessness of Egypt, as they are unable to defend themselves against external forces. This aligns with other prophecies where God uses foreign nations to execute His will (Jeremiah 25:9). The desolation signifies complete devastation, affecting not just the land but all its inhabitants and resources.

I, the LORD, have spoken.
This declaration affirms the certainty and authority of the prophecy. It emphasizes that the judgment is not a random occurrence but a deliberate act of God. The phrase "I, the LORD" is a reminder of God's sovereignty and faithfulness to His word. In biblical theology, when God speaks, His words are powerful and unchangeable (Isaiah 55:11). This assurance serves as a warning to Egypt and a reminder to all nations of God's ultimate control over history and nations.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD
The sovereign God who declares judgment and has the power to execute it.

2. The Nile
A significant river in Egypt, symbolizing life and prosperity for the nation.

3. Egypt
A powerful ancient nation, often seen as a symbol of worldly power and idolatry.

4. Evil Men
Those who are morally corrupt and used as instruments of God's judgment.

5. Foreigners
Non-Egyptians who are used by God to bring about His judgment on Egypt.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Nations
God is in control of all nations and uses them to accomplish His purposes, whether for blessing or judgment.

The Futility of Idolatry
Egypt's reliance on the Nile and its gods is shown to be futile when God dries up the river, reminding us to place our trust in God alone.

Judgment as a Call to Repentance
God's judgments are not arbitrary but serve as a call to repentance and recognition of His sovereignty.

The Role of Foreigners in God's Plan
God can use anyone, even those outside His covenant people, to fulfill His divine purposes, challenging us to see His hand in unexpected places.

The Certainty of God's Word
When God declares something, it will come to pass. His word is sure and trustworthy.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the drying up of the Nile in Ezekiel 30:12 symbolize God's judgment on Egypt, and what does this teach us about the things we rely on for security?

2. In what ways does the prophecy against Egypt in Ezekiel 30 relate to the plagues in Exodus, and what can we learn about God's power over creation?

3. How can we see God's sovereignty in the use of "foreigners" to accomplish His purposes, and how does this challenge our understanding of God's work in the world today?

4. What are some modern-day "Niles" that people might rely on instead of God, and how can we guard against this in our own lives?

5. How does the certainty of God's word in Ezekiel 30:12 encourage us to trust in His promises and warnings throughout Scripture?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 19
This chapter also speaks of the judgment against Egypt, highlighting the drying up of the Nile and the resulting devastation.

Jeremiah 46
Jeremiah prophesies against Egypt, emphasizing God's control over nations and His ability to humble the proud.

Exodus 7:14-25
The plagues of Egypt, particularly the turning of the Nile into blood, demonstrate God's power over Egypt and its gods.

Revelation 16:12
The drying up of the Euphrates River as part of the end-times judgments, showing a parallel in God's control over natural elements to fulfill His purposes.
The Lord's Day in EgyptJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 30:1-19
People
Cherethites, Cushites, Egyptians, Ethiopians, Ezekiel, Lud, Lydia, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, Pharaoh, Phut
Places
Arabia, Babylon, Cush, Egypt, Libya, Lud, Memphis, Migdol, Nile River, On, Pathros, Pelusium, Pi-beseth, Put, Syene, Tehaphnehes, Thebes, Zoan
Topics
Bring, Canals, Causing, Desolate, Desolation, Doers, Dry, Evil, Floods, Foreigners, Fulness, Hands, Lay, Moreover, Nile, Rivers, Sell, Sold, Spoken, Strange, Strangers, Streams, Therein, Waste, Wasted, Wicked
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 30:12

     4819   dryness

Library
Sargon of Assyria (722-705 B. C. )
SARGON AS A WARRIOR AND AS A BUILDER. The origin of Sargon II.: the revolt of Babylon, Merodach-baladan and Elam--The kingdom of Elam from the time of the first Babylonian empire; the conquest's of Shutruh-nalkunta I.; the princes of Malamir--The first encounter of Assyria and Elam, the battle of Durilu (721 B.C.)--Revolt of Syria, Iaubidi of Hamath and Hannon of Gaza--Bocchoris and the XXIVth Egyptian dynasty; the first encounter of Assyria with Egypt, the battle of Raphia (720 B.C.). Urartu
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and Ungodly Men.
Scriptures Showing The Sin And Danger Of Joining With Wicked And Ungodly Men. When the Lord is punishing such a people against whom he hath a controversy, and a notable controversy, every one that is found shall be thrust through: and every one joined with them shall fall, Isa. xiii. 15. They partake in their judgment, not only because in a common calamity all shares, (as in Ezek. xxi. 3.) but chiefly because joined with and partakers with these whom God is pursuing; even as the strangers that join
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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