Ezekiel 29:6-7 - Homiletics

A staff of reed.

Egypt is here compared to a staff of reed that had been trusted by Israel and had failed her in the hour of need. Earlier than this the Jews were warned not to trust Egypt because the old empire of the Nile had become weak as one of the reeds that grew by her sacred river. The confidence would be fatal, for the staff would break and pierce the hand of one who leaned upon it ( Isaiah 36:6 ). It was common for the prophets to warn the Jews against the mistake of going down to Egypt for help ( Isaiah 31:1 ). Now, however, Egypt is blamed for being so false and treacherous an ally as she proved herself in the time of Judah's need.

I. WEAKNESS IS CULPABLE . Egypt ought not to have been weak as a Nile reed. In her friendship, at all events, she should have shown more stamina. Moral weakness is certainly blameworthy. There is a great mistake in pleading weakness as an excuse for failure of duty. God never calls upon any one to do more than he is able to accomplish. If, therefore, his strength fails, and he cannot perform his task or face his temptations, the blame lies at his own door. We ought to be strong in soul. We have not even the excuse of Egypt—a heathen nation that knew not the true God. With inexhaustible fountains of spiritual strength within our reach in the gospel of Christ, it is our own fault if we become as worthless reeds when we should be like strong trees of the Lord.

II. FAILING FRIENDSHIP IS OF THE NATURE OF TREACHERY , We can wrong our friend without lifting a finger to hurt him, if we are found wanting in the time of need. Of all places friendship is the last in which weakness should be discovered. A true friend will make it a point of honor to be at his very best to give expected help, ever- though he be weak and suffer defeat in pursuing his own interests. He is a trustworthy friend of Christ who is weak as a reed when called upon to do any service or make any sacrifice for his Master. It is treason to Christ to be found wanting in the day of duty or danger.

III. THERE IS NO PROTECTION IN THE PLEA OF WEAKNESS . Egypt was not saved on account of her weakness. She found no excuse in her inability to help her allies. She ought to have been able to help them. They who refuse to go into the Lord's battle because they have not moral strength with which to fight the will not therefore be permitted to shelter themselves in peace and quiet. They may escape the wounds of the field, but they will encounter the ills of an attack at home. No soul can be safe in neglecting duty, shunning peril, or fleeing from the place where Christ would have him stand.

IV. WEAKNESS MAY BE CONQUERED . The reed-like character may be made stout as an oak. God can make the feeble strong. "To them that have no might he increaseth strength" ( Isaiah 40:29 ). Thus St. Paul could say, "When I am weak, then am I strong" ( 2 Corinthians 12:10 ). Christ will not break the bruised reed; but he will not leave it bowed and useless. He will strengthen it. The secret of this transformation from weakness to strength is faith. They were the heroes of faith who, according to the Epistle to the Hebrews, "out of weakness were made strong" ( Hebrews 11:34 ).