Ezekiel 29:7

When they tooke hold of thee by thy hand, thou didst breake, and rent all their shoulder: and when they leaned vpon thee, thou brakest, and madest all their loynes to be at a stand. Ezekiel 29:7 (KJV)

Ezekiel was a prophet who lived during the Babylonian exile, and the book that bears his name contains God’s messages to the exiled Israelites. The prophet warned the people of judgment for disobedience and idolatry, and in this verse God speaks through Ezekiel against Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt. The language is highly symbolic: Egypt is portrayed as a broken staff that promises support but fails when nations rely on it. When other peoples “took hold of thee by the hand” or “leaned upon thee,” the imagery shows Egypt breaking their shoulders and rendering their loins unable to stand, illustrating the futility of trusting in a power that is ultimately weak and unreliable.

The passage therefore declares God’s judgment on Egypt. Because Egypt could not fulfill its promises, those who depended on it were left defenseless and vulnerable. The judgment serves as a warning that reliance on worldly powers—whether political, economic, or military—can lead to ruin when those powers prove unstable.

From this verse believers draw several timeless lessons. First, the danger of placing ultimate trust in human institutions is clear; true security belongs to God alone, who is faithful and dependable. Second, God’s own faithfulness stands in stark contrast to Egypt’s weakness, reminding us that He is the unchanging source of strength. Third, the judgment on Egypt underscores the consequences of disobedience to God, encouraging believers to walk in obedience to His commands. Finally, the passage points to the biblical truth that true strength comes from God, not from the fleeting might of the world. As Paul writes, “in weakness, His power is made perfect” (2 Cor 12:9), and this promise assures us that when we rely on God, His power sustains us even in our frailty.