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a staff made of reed

Ezekiel 29:6-9a (JDV)

Ezekiel 29:6 ” ‘Then all the residents of Egypt will know that I am Yahveh, because they have been a staff made of reed to the house of Israel.
Ezekiel 29:7 When Israel grasped you by the hand, you splintered, tearing all their shoulders; when they leaned on you, you shattered and made all their hips unsteady.
Ezekiel 29:8 ” ‘Therefore, this is what the Lord Yahveh says: notice I am going to bring a sword against you and cut off both man and animal from you.
Ezekiel 29:9 The land of Egypt will be a sinister desolation and a ruin. Then they will know that I am Yahveh.

a staff made of reed

Gaebelein reflects on this passage: “Egypt gave no help to Israel and only wounded them grievously as a staff which breaks under the weight of him who leaneth upon it, breaks and pierces the hand. Whenever God’s people turn to Egypt (the type of the world ) for help and form ungodly alliances they do so to their own hurt and shame.” 1

1 Gaebelein, Arno Clemens. The Prophet Ezekiel. New York: Publication office “Our hope”, 1918. p. 191.