QT 27/08/2025 Wed. Ezekiel 32 The Glory That Fades 消逝的荣耀

QT 27/08/2025 Wed. Ezekiel 32  The Glory That Fades
READ http://www.esv.org/eze32

📖 Scripture focus:
“They shall fall amid those who are slain by the sword. Egypt is delivered to the sword; drag her away, and all her multitudes... For they are all given over to the sword, and are delivered to the grave.” — Ezekiel 32:20, 25 (ESV)

🔍 Reflection

Ezekiel 32 is a funeral lament—a prophetic dirge—for Egypt, once a proud and powerful nation. Pharaoh had made himself out to be like a lion among the nations, but God compares him instead to a sea monster being caught, dragged out, and destroyed. The passage is full of vivid, even terrifying imagery: a once-glorious nation brought low, its people laid in Sheol, the grave.

This chapter reminds us that earthly power is temporary, and pride leads to ruin. Like Assyria, Elam, and Meshech before her, Egypt joins the long list of nations that trusted in their strength, only to be brought down by the hand of God.

Ezekiel 32 is more than a history lesson—it’s a warning and a mirror. Are we trusting in our own glory? Are we clinging to influence, comfort, or cultural power? The grave shows no partiality. What we build for ourselves will crumble. Only what is built on Christ will last.

✝️ Gospel Insight

Where Ezekiel 32 ends with darkness and descent into the pit, the Gospel introduces light and resurrection. Egypt was “delivered to the sword”—but Jesus was pierced by the sword in our place (Isaiah 53:5).  The kings of the earth are shown descending to Sheol—but Christ descended and conquered the grave (Ephesians 4:9–10).

Where Ezekiel saw only the fall of nations, the cross reveals a new Kingdom—unshakable, eternal, and led by a risen King. If you are in Christ, your fate is not like Egypt's. You have not been given over to the sword, but to grace. Your grave is no longer a place of shame, but a gateway to glory.

🙌 Application

(1) Turn from Pride to Humility: Pharaoh’s downfall began with arrogance. Examine your heart—where are you living in self-sufficiency? Pray for a heart that boasts only in the Lord (Jeremiah 9:23–24).

(2) Live for an Eternal Kingdom: All the kingdoms of this world will fall. Are you living for the temporary or the eternal? Invest in what cannot be shaken: God’s Word, His Church, His mission.

(3) Trust in Christ's Victory Over the Grave: Death is not the end for those in Jesus. Where others descend in defeat, you rise in victory through Him.

Let this hope fuel your courage, worship, and witness today.

🛐 Prayer

Sovereign Lord, You are the judge of all nations and the ruler of all history. I see in Ezekiel 32 how fleeting the glory of this world is. Teach me not to trust in my own strength or status, but to cling to Jesus alone. Thank You that through Him, I do not fear the grave. Help me live each day in the light of His victory. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

QT 27/08/2025 星期三 . 以西结书 32 消逝的荣耀
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Eze/32/

📖 经文重点：

“他们必倒在那些被刀所杀的人中间；刀既拔出，埃及和它的众民都要被拉下去。…… 在被杀的人中，有床为它和它的众民安设；他们的坟墓都在它周围；他们都是没有受割礼的，是被刀所杀的；他们曾使惊恐散布在活人之地。现在他们与下坑的人一同担当自己的羞辱；以拦被安置在被杀的人中间。”——以西结书32:20, 25（ESV）

🔍 反思

以西结书32是一首为埃及而作的葬礼哀歌——先知的挽歌——埃及曾是骄傲而强大的国家。法老自诩为列国中的狮子，但上帝却将他比作被捕获、拖拽并毁灭的海怪。这段经文充满了生动甚至令人恐惧的意象：一个曾经辉煌的国家被贬低，其人民被埋葬在阴间，即坟墓中。

这一章提醒我们，世上的权势是暂时的，骄傲会导致灭亡。如同亚述、以拦和米设之前，埃及也加入了那些依赖自身力量却被上帝之手击倒的国家长名单。

以西结书32章不仅仅是一堂历史课——它是一个警告和一面镜子。我们是否依赖自己的荣耀？我们是否执着于影响力、舒适或文化权力？坟墓不分亲疏。我们为自己建造的必将崩塌。唯有建立在基督上的才能永存。

✝️ 福音洞见

以西结书32章以黑暗和坠入深渊结束，而福音则带来光明与复活。埃及被“交于刀剑之下”——但耶稣却替我们被刀剑刺透（以赛亚书53:5）。  世上的君王被显明为坠入阴间——但基督降下并战胜了死亡（以弗所书4:9–10）。

以西结只看见列国的倾覆，而十字架揭示了一个新的国度——坚定不移、永恒不变，由一位复活的君王统治。若你在基督里，你的命运与埃及不同。你未被交于刀剑，而是被交于恩典。你的坟墓不再是羞辱之地，而是通往荣耀的门户。

🙌 应用

(1) 从骄傲转向谦卑：法老的灭亡始于傲慢。察验你的心——你在哪里活在自足之中？为一颗只在主里夸口的心的祷告（耶利米书9:23–24）。

(2) 为永恒的国度而活：世上所有的国度都将倾覆。你是在为暂时的还是永恒的而活？投资于那不能被动摇的：上帝的话语、祂的教会、祂的使命。

(3) 信靠基督对坟墓的胜利：对在耶稣里的人来说，死亡并非终点。当他人因失败而沉沦时，你却因祂而得胜。

让这盼望激励你今日的勇气、敬拜与见证。

🛐 祷告

至高的主，您是万国的主宰，是历史的掌权者。我从以西结书32章中看到，这世界的荣耀是多么短暂。求您教导我不要倚靠自己的力量或地位，而是单单倚靠耶稣。感谢您，因着祂，我不再惧怕死亡。求您帮助我每天活在祂得胜的光中。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。