Ezekiel 29-32: It Happened to Egypt

Therefore no other trees by the waters are ever to tower proudly on high, lifting their tops above the thick foliage. No other trees so well-watered are ever to reach such a height; they are all destined for death, for the earth below, among mortal men, with those who go down to the pit.- Ezek. 31:14 NIV

These words from God, through the prophet Ezekiel, are spoken about Egypt, but they apply to anyone and anything that rises to the heights and exalts in the work of their own hands, as the Pharaoh's of Egypt did.

   “‘I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt,
   you great monster lying among your streams.
   You say, “The Nile is mine;
   I made it for myself.” - Ezek. 29:3 NIV

I've been bombarded by this reminder since yesterday.  First there was a front page article in the Kansas City Star about one of the mega churches in the area, going in to bankruptcy.  Then I watched a television program on the rise and fall of Enron.  How the mighty have fallen.  It isn't just the unrighteous and corrupt who meet such an ignominious end.  Anyone who builds something, even if it starts out with good intentions, that becomes a source of pride can fall prey to the same downfall.  Nothing, no matter how good, not even our families or our relationships, nothing that is enviable is the result of the work of our own hands.  It is God that giveth and God that taketh.  Pride goes before any great fall.  It happened to Egypt, it can happen to us.

2010 Post - Ezekiel 29-32:  Doom for the Nations