Norwegian 2018 (Bibelen - Guds Ord Hverdagsbibelen (Hermon Forlag))
Så sier Herren Gud videre: «Jeg skal ødelegge avgudene og utrydde gudebildene i Nof. Det skal ikke lenger være noen fyrste fra Egypt. Jeg skal skape frykt i dette landet. Jeg skal legge Patros øde, tenne Soan i brann og felle dommer i No. Jeg skal la Sin, Egypts styrke, få smake raseriet Jeg har mot dem. Jeg skal utrydde hopen i No. Jeg skal tenne Egypt i brann, og Sin skal vri seg i smerte. No skal falle sammen og legges åpent, og Nof skal være i nød dag etter dag. De unge mennene fra Aven og Pi-Beset skal bli drept av sverdene, og befolkningen i byene skal føres i fangenskap. I Takpanhes skal dagen bli formørket av røyk og sot fra brente byer. Da skal det være slutt på stolthet og styrke. En sky skal dekke over henne. Døtrene hennes skal føres bort i fangenskap. Slik skal Jeg felle dom over Egypt. Da skal de kjenne at Jeg er Herren.»
What Does This Mean?
In this verse, God says He will destroy the idols and their images in Noph (an ancient city in Egypt) and remove any ruler from the land, causing fear to spread throughout Egypt. God is speaking directly about His plans to judge Egypt.
Explained for Children
Imagine if all the toys in your room suddenly disappeared, and there was no one to be in charge of your house. That's kind of what God is saying He will do in Egypt, but with their idols and rulers instead of toys.
Historical Background
The Book of Ezekiel was written by the prophet Ezekiel around 600 BCE, while he was in exile in Babylon. This verse is part of a larger prophecy about God's judgment on Egypt, reflecting the cultural context of idol worship and political power in Egypt at that time.
Living It Out Today
Consider a situation where a community relies heavily on a corrupt leader or idolized figure. This verse can remind us to rely on God's justice and not place our trust in false idols or human leaders who can fail us.
God destroys idols to remind people that He is the only true God who should be worshipped. Idols represent false gods that can lead people away from the true faith.
What does the absence of a ruler mean for Egypt?
The absence of a ruler means a loss of authority and order in the land, leading to chaos and fear, as described in the verse.
How can we avoid placing our trust in false idols?
To avoid placing trust in false idols, we should seek to understand and follow God's teachings, and rely on His guidance and power rather than on material or human-made objects or figures.
How does fear fit into God's plan for Egypt?
The fear mentioned in the verse reflects the consequences of God's judgment and can serve as a warning or a call to repentance for the people of Egypt.