Ezekiel 32 — When Power Falls Silent

Even the thrones of the mighty are no match for the sovereignty of God.

In Ezekiel 32, we see the final funeral song in the prophet’s oracles against foreign nations—this time, a lament for Egypt. God gives Pharaoh two dramatic titles: a lion among nations and a monster in the seas, evoking his pride and strength both on land and at sea. But these lofty images are crushed under the weight of divine decree. Pharaoh is cast down from power, stripped of dignity, and left to descend into the grave with all the other once-mighty rulers of the world. The nations tremble at Egypt’s fall—not merely because of the spectacle of its demise, but because they too have trusted in human alliances rather than divine authority.

The latter portion of the chapter (vv. 17–32) extends the lament to all Egypt’s allies, dragging them into the same fate. The question is stark: “Are you more favored than others?” The answer is equally stark—no. No greatness on earth can shield from the judgment of the Lord. These nations are buried in dishonor, grouped with the “uncircumcised,” those who had no covenant relationship with God. Their legacies fade into eternal disgrace.

This chapter is not simply about the fall of empires—it’s about the sovereignty of God over nations, the futility of relying on human strength, and the tragic finality of dying outside of relationship with the Lord. Power, influence, and alliances all come to nothing when eternity speaks.

Personalized Journal Entry — The Holy Spirit’s Voice Through Scripture

The ones who roar like lions and stir up the seas with their pride will be caught in My net. I drag them out of their illusions, cast them on dry ground, and cover them with the weight of their own arrogance. The nations will see and shudder. They will look upon the fallen and say, This was the one who ruled by strength? Their terror is not just for Egypt, but for themselves, for they too leaned on flesh.

I lower Pharaoh to the pit, and he joins those who boasted in greatness. He lies among the uncircumcised, counted among those who had no part with Me. The mighty leaders welcome him not with applause but with groans, for their own power could not save them. They have become a warning, not a monument.

I govern the rise and fall of kings, and even when they deny Me, I ordain their limits. My sovereignty is not dependent on acknowledgment. I raise up nations and cast them down, not for cruelty, but to expose what endures and what does not. Those who die in their sins are not forgotten—they are remembered in sorrow, not honor.

But to the one who trusts in Me, who does not seek refuge in alliances or armies, there is a different ending. Though the earth shakes and kingdoms fall, I am a refuge. Though the uncircumcised descend into disgrace, those who are Mine dwell in My presence. Let not your eyes envy the lion or fear the monster. I have made you Mine, and you will not share their grave.

Ezekiel 32:2–3, 7–9, 17–19, 21, 25, 31–32

Prayer

Father, I rest in the eternal safety of Your sovereign will. The downfall of the mighty reminds me that no earthly power endures outside of You. I do not fear the collapse of kingdoms or the noise of monsters who stir the waters—for You have made me Yours. My security is not found in human alliances or appearances of strength but in my union with Christ, sealed and unshakable. You’ve placed me in the shelter of Your life, not the shadows of the pit. Thank You that in Christ, I am not counted among the uncircumcised, but among the beloved. You are enough. And that will never change.

Credit:
Devotional insights adapted from the Grace and Truth Study Bible.
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