(9) Because he hath said.--Again, as in Ezekiel 29:6, the division of the verses is very unfortunate. The expression "shall know that I am the Lord," so common in Ezekiel, always closes a train of thought. The new sentence begins with the reason for the judgment upon Egypt--because of its pride.
29:1-16 Worldly, carnal minds pride themselves in their property, forgetting that whatever we have, we received it from God, and should use it for God. Why, then, do we boast? Self is the great idol which all the world worships, in contempt of God and his sovereignty. God can force men out of that in which they are most secure and easy. Such a one, and all that cleave to him, shall perish together. Thus end men's pride, presumption, and carnal security. The Lord is against those who do harm to his people, and still more against those who lead them into sin. Egypt shall be a kingdom again, but it shall be the basest of the kingdoms; it shall have little wealth and power. History shows the complete fulfilment of this prophecy. God, not only in justice, but in wisdom and goodness to us, breaks the creature-stays on which we lean, that they may be no more our confidence.
And the land of Egypt shall be desolate and waste,.... Men few or none being left in it, to till it, nor cattle found upon it:
and they shall know that I am the Lord; by these judgments executed upon them, now foretold; and which when come to pass, they will be obliged to acknowledge the omniscience and omnipotence of Jehovah:
because thou hast said, the river is mine, and I have made it; See Gill on Ezekiel 29:3; this insolent expression was highly resented by the Lord, as appears by the repetition of it. The Targum is here, as before,
"the kingdom is mine, and I have subdued it;''
but, notwithstanding this vaunt, he could not keep it.
and they shall know that I am the Lord; by these judgments executed upon them, now foretold; and which when come to pass, they will be obliged to acknowledge the omniscience and omnipotence of Jehovah:
because thou hast said, the river is mine, and I have made it; See Gill on Ezekiel 29:3; this insolent expression was highly resented by the Lord, as appears by the repetition of it. The Targum is here, as before,
"the kingdom is mine, and I have subdued it;''
but, notwithstanding this vaunt, he could not keep it.