Week of September 8

“For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations” (22:28). A variety of theorists, however, postulate that nations typically reach their zeniths because they have forged success out of economic, military, and politico-cultural advancements.

Do you ever wonder about God’s role in nation-building and thriving? I know that the above trio of reasons for national longevity is stated broadly, but we see this same pattern time and again in Ezekiel’s laments for the nations surrounding Israel. Egypt was no different. They had emerged as a global leader in all three of these respects, but we will also see that they were brought down by a simple neglect. God had not authored and sustained their success. There is a lesson for any nation and its citizens in these focal chapters today.

It may seem odd that Egypt was even a concern, since they worshiped entirely different gods than Israel. Ezekiel’s prophecy about this neighboring nation begs the question: What moral responsibility should that nation, or any non-Christian nation today, have to God? Keep in mind, we use a scriptural lens to examine our daily passages. This way of seeing the world (worldview) necessarily includes the core belief that God creates and sustains life, and that all creation is accountable to Him. We rightly conclude that “God has preferences.” This macro view of the world may not seem to touch your life directly, but bear with me.

Ezekiel prophesies that the fall of Egypt is like the fall of Assyria, which indicates a pattern, so let’s keep this fact in mind (31:1-9). There are specific reasons for the fall of these nations (31:10-18, “proud of its height” and “I will give it into the hand of a mighty one of the nations”). Two overarching and inescapable moral crimes were committed both by Assyria and Egypt—pride and perversion of power (EBC). One commentator writes that the “prophetic rhetoric lulls the reader into a state of indifference before the door of hope slams with a resounding ‘therefore’” (31:10; EBC). Judgment lies in Egypt’s future and there will be no escape. 

The underlying moral principle is lex talionis, retributive justice, because judgment for being ruthless was to be treated in the same way by another merciless nation (cf. Matthew 18:21-35; “Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?”). Think of nations today that must live under the iron fists of oppressive tyrants. God will hear and respond to their cries!

This prophecy delivers both national and personal truths for our benefit. First, God hates pride because it brings nations and people to ruin (31:18; Ezekiel 27:3; 28:1-2; Proverbs 16:18). Secondly, God’s justice impacts the mighty as well as the weak (cf. 27:27-36; EBC). Thirdly, nations and their citizens are finite and are morally accountable to God (cf. Ezekiel 3:16-21; 18:1-32; EBC). One pastor writes, “I am so dedicated to the undeniable fact that the only hope for the future of any nation and people is in the Lord Jesus Christ.” Amen!

The recent election cycle in Venezuela comes to my mind with the widespread claims of a rigged election. Consider also the horrific political and social conditions in Haiti. Several African nations have endured decades-long oppressive regimes. Our own national election will take place this November and evidence of pride and pursuit of power are evident all around us.

You will recall that I do not use the Pathway Devotional platform for political purposes, but I do address ethical issues in a wide range of social situations, some of which include political events. America faces a significant moral test in the coming months as we will elect a new president. We will want to look at the core moral concern of pride and the use of power when we cast our support behind either candidate.

So, what is the moral message for our lives today? Judah was living in exile in Babylon, and if they had any hope that some political alliance with Egypt would be their deliverance, then those aspirations would be dashed. We are not to rest our hopes on prideful and oppressive forms of human deliverance. There is something for our families in the next section, so read on.

1. Begin this day by writing a verse of scripture about God’s sovereignty on a card, or napkin, or in a note-taking app on your smartphone. Put it to memory today and quote it often in the days and months ahead.

2. Now, take time to write down ways that you are living pridefully through simple things like your finances, personal and home security, and even your political and social pursuits. Seek God’s forgiveness and mercy, then live out the same in all these areas. 

3. For Families: The Ashlocks sent their children off to school for years with lunch boxes in hand and a simple note printed on the napkins inside. Shawna, like so many of you are doing, wrote messages of hope and encouragement on those napkins. She often penned a Bible verse and placed it inside their lunch containers. Now, I am quite certain that she did not ask herself each morning, “How may I shape the theology of my little ones?” However, she did by providing a daily reminder that God is Lord over all creation! Write God’s words of love and hope on those napkins, then pen a note of the same to yourself each day from God’s Word. In other words, be reminded that God has everything to do with both our national and your personal success.

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock