Giving credit where credit is Due

Read Ezekiel 29.

Egypt had historically been the southern powerhouse of nations.  During times of trouble, Judah looked to their Egyptian neighbor for an alliance of help.  God pronounced a series of prophecies concerning Egypt that requires four chapters to deliver.

1. The River Monster. (vv.1-5)
This Pharaoh would have been Hophra (589-570 B.C.)  Pharaohs were considered to be gods and the ultimate sin of Hophra was to claim that he made and owned the Nile River.  This was a direct affront to the real Creator and Owner of all things.  Comparing the Egyptian king to a large, ferocious monster in the river, God predicted his demise would be like hooking him and dragging him off in the desert to die.
  
2. The Reed. (vv.6-9a)
Judah allied with Egypt hoping to break free from the Babylonian oppression.  But when Judah leaned them for support, they proved to be untrustworthy.  Therefore, God would judge them.

3. The Repercussions. (vv.9b-16)
God's punishment included reducing Egypt's power to nothing and scattering the people for a period of forty years.  After that time, the LORD promised to restore Egypt's fortunes.  However, never again would Egypt rule over other nations as it once did.

4. The Reward for Babylon. (vv.17-21)
The Babylonians were used by God as His instruments to judge the nations for their sin.  When Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Tyre, he expected to capture its great wealth.  But after all the hard work of the soldiers, they found nothing.  Evidently, in a protective move Tyre had shipped its wealth elsewhere.  The war had been costly without a pay-off.  God promised to give the wealth of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar as his reward.

Taking credit for what God has done robs Him of His glory.  We must be careful to give the LORD the glory due Him.  Doing so will keep our pride in check, strengthen our awareness of His blessings, and cause us to speak of His goodness more often.