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 they grasped you by the hand
This phrase evokes the imagery of reliance and trust. In the Hebrew context, the hand symbolizes power, support, and fellowship. The Israelites sought Egypt's support, akin to grasping a hand for stability. Historically, Egypt was a significant power, often seen as a potential ally against other threats. However, this reliance was misplaced, as Egypt was not a dependable ally. Spiritually, this serves as a reminder that reliance on worldly powers instead of God leads to disappointment and failure.

you splintered and tore open their shoulders
The imagery of splintering and tearing suggests a violent and painful betrayal. The Hebrew word for "splintered" can imply breaking or fracturing, indicating that Egypt's support was not only insufficient but harmful. Shoulders in biblical terms often represent strength and burden-bearing capacity. Thus, the Israelites' reliance on Egypt resulted in injury and weakness, symbolizing the futility of trusting in human strength over divine providence.

When they leaned on you
Leaning implies dependence and trust. In the ancient Near Eastern context, alliances were crucial for survival, and leaning on another nation was a common practice. However, this phrase highlights the folly of such dependence when it is not aligned with God's will. The Israelites leaned on Egypt for support against Babylon, contrary to God's guidance through the prophets. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of placing trust in anything other than God.

you broke and made all their backs twist
The breaking and twisting of backs is a powerful metaphor for the consequences of misplaced trust. The Hebrew word for "broke" suggests a sudden and complete failure. Backs, symbolizing the ability to carry burdens, being twisted, indicates a debilitating outcome. This reflects the historical reality of Egypt's failure to support Israel against Babylon, leading to Israel's suffering and exile. Spiritually, it underscores the theme that reliance on anything other than God leads to spiritual and physical ruin.

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.