You don’t hear much about modern Egypt. The nation on the Nile once ruled the world. Through Joseph, Egypt saved the world from famine. The nation built the pyramids—glorified tombs listed among the Seven Wonders of the World. They built the Sphinx. They invented hieroglyphics. They filled King Tut’s tomb with a billion dollars in treasure. But Egypt today? Hardly a player on the world stage.
There’s a reason for that—the King was so arrogant, he practically begged for God’s judgment:
“Look, I am against you, Pharaoh, king of Egypt, the great monster lying in the middle of the Nile, who says, ‘My Nile is my own; I made it for myself.’” Ezekiel 29:3.
God made the Nile. And He does not have much patience with kings who become so arrogant they begin taking credit for God’s creative work. (When Nebuchadnezzar took credit for Babylon, God struck him too.) But Pharaoh’s sins did not stop there. God catalogues quite a list in chapters 29-32, and the judgment to come is extraordinary. Egypt will be destroyed, its cities and people wiped out, the land empty for forty years, and the nation will never recover its former glory. Check out this curse, and ask yourself if it did not come true:
“Egypt will be the lowliest of kingdoms and will NEVER AGAIN exalt itself over the nations. I will make them so small they cannot rule over the nations.” Ezekiel 29:15.
That’s exactly what happened, isn’t it? Egypt is a flea of a nation today, because long ago its kings turned their backs on God and took credit for His works.
Do we ever take credit for things God has done? Ask Him to speak to you, to remind you that HE IS YOUR SOURCE, that “every good and perfect gift comes from above” James 1:17.
God, fill us with hearts of humility and gratitude. Never let us overlook the many blessings you pour into our lives. May we ALWAYS be thankful and give You credit for our blessings.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 