Ezekiel 32-34

Ezekiel 32 Lament for Egypt

This chapter is a lament over Egypt and Pharaoh, describing their fall and descent to the realm of the dead.

twelfth year, in the twelfth month, on the first day of the month (one year after Jerusalem fell)

Pharaoh is compared to a monster in the seas who churns the waters.

• God will capture him like a fish in a net.
• His fall will shock many nations.
• Cosmic imagery:
  • darkened sun
  • darkened stars

The fall of Egypt is portrayed as a world-shaking event.

The sword of Nebuchadnezzar II will destroy Egypt.

• The land and rivers will be devastated.
• Nations will mourn Egypt’s fall.

twelfth year, on the fifteenth day of the month: Prophecy over Egypt’s demise

Pharaoh descends to the pit בּוֹר (bôr) (the realm of the dead).

There he joins other fallen nations:

• Assyria
• Elam
• Meshech
• Tubal
• Edom

All proud nations eventually share the same fate

Ezekiel 33 The Watchman

Ezekiel is appointed as a watchman (repeated from chapter 3)

• If he warns the people, he is innocent.
• If he fails to warn them, he bears responsibility.

The prophet’s duty is to faithfully deliver God’s message.

People claim their sins are too great.

God responds: “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked.”

• Anyone who turns from wickedness will live.
• They have personal responsibility

the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, on the fifth day of the month: A messenger arrives announcing: Jerusalem has fallen. This fulfills Ezekiel’s earlier prophecies.

A table since I am super confused by the timings:

Year	Event
605 BC	First deportation
597 BC	Ezekiel taken to Babylon
593 BC	Ezekiel begins prophesying
586 BC	Jerusalem destroyed
around 585 BC	News reaches Ezekiel

Those left in the land believe they still possess the land.God says their continued violence and idolatry will bring further judgment.

People enjoy hearing Ezekiel speak, but they do not follow God’s commands.

They treat prophecy like entertainment instead of truth.

Ezekiel 34 One True Shepherd

This chapter condemns corrupt leaders and promises a true shepherd for Israel.

Israel’s leaders are called shepherds.Their failures include:

• feeding themselves instead of the flock
• neglecting the weak
• ruling harshly

As a result the sheep are scattered.

God declares: “I myself will search for my sheep.”

• He will rescue and gather them.
• He will heal the injured and strengthen the weak.

He is the true Shepherd! 

God separates:

• strong vs weak
• oppressors vs victims

Justice is brought among the people themselves.

God promises:“I will set up over them one shepherd.”

• That shepherd will be from the line of David.
• This passage anticipates a future ideal king. 

Application

God is true to His word and if He says judgment will come, it will come. He gives us more chances than we deserve to repent. Thankfully we don’t need to worry about corrupt leaders with sinful motives as we have the One True Shepherd guiding us.