Mourning for Pharaoh
Ezekiel 32:1 – In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, on the first of the month, the word of the LORD came to me: 2 – “Son of man, sing a lament for Pharaoh king of Egypt, and say to him: “‘You were like a lion among the nations, but you are a monster in the seas; you thrash about in your streams, stir up the water with your feet, and muddy your streams. 3 – “‘This is what the sovereign LORD says: “‘I will throw my net over you in the assembly of many peoples; and they will haul you up in my dragnet. 4 – I will leave you on the ground, I will fling you on the open field, I will allow all the birds of the sky to settle on you, and I will permit all the wild animals to gorge themselves on you.’”
I had to read this chapter more than once before I realized and had to tell myself that this is not a vengeful chapter. It is a chapter of mourning. Jesus was mourning for Pharaoh and Egypt that all these things were going to happen to the king and the nation.
God says “I will” a whole lot. He is ultimately in control. Wait until we see the fulfillment of the final prophecies concerning this world. The amount of death that will take place will be staggering.
Compare the verses concerning Pharaoh and Egypt with these ones found in Revelation 19:17-21 – Then I saw one angel standing in the sun, and he shouted in a loud voice to all the birds flying high in the sky: “Come, gather around for the great banquet of God, to eat your fill of the flesh of kings, the flesh of generals, the flesh of powerful people, the flesh of horses and those who ride them, and the flesh of all people, both free and slave, and small and great!” Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to do battle with the one who rode the horse and with his army. Now the beast was seized, and along with him the false prophet who had performed the signs on his behalf – signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the east and those who worshiped his image. Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire burning with sulfur. The others were killed by the sword that extended from the mouth of the one who rode the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves with their flesh.
Read the above verses like it’s a lamentation for the world. Egypt is not the nation it once was. When Jesus comes again this world will never be the same again.
Praise God this is only the warning. This is one of the secrets of the end that Jesus has revealed before He acts.
Therefore I will judge each person according to his conduct, O house of Israel, declares the sovereign LORD. Repent and turn from all your wickedness; then it will not be an obstacle leading to iniquity. Throw away all your sins you have committed and fashion yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why should you die, O house of Israel? For I take no delight in the death of anyone, declares the sovereign LORD. Repent and live! – Ezekiel 18:30-32.
Jesus would prefer that we would be ready for the marriage supper of the lamb and not be food for the banquet of God. There’s still time to look upon the cross and be drawn to Jesus by His love. Let’s follow Jesus today!
Where two are gathered 