Ezekiel 29:1-4 - I am against you, Pharaoh

29:1,2

Having had three chapters aimed at Tyre, we now get four chapters dealing with Egypt. Egypt had long played a big part in the life of Israel. Joseph had, of course, gone down there and eventually become “prime minister”. Then the Israelites were held in captivity for many years until God, through Moses, released them. At various points in history Israel had looked to Egypt for help. This had happened with Judah at both the Assyrian and Babylonian crises. There are seven oracles in total, with dates. The first one is 587 BC. Ezekiel is to prophesy against Pharaoh and all Egypt. God’s judgement begins with Israel, but extends to the whole world. We should also note that God’s salvation begins with Israel and extends to the whole world.

29:3,4

The poetic language used plays on Egypt’s circumstances. The Nile was vitally important to Egypt, and it also contained crocodiles. Egypt was a great nation, but again we see that pride has taken hold of her. The Nile was her lifeblood, but she thought “the Nile belongs to me, I made it myself”, which, of course, was utter nonsense. She had conquered various territories., and this is war the hooks and scales stuff is referring to. These would be stripped away from her.