Definition: And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I [am] the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Ezekiel 29:6. It's a really important and somewhat dramatic verse about God’s plan for the future. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is saying that He is going to be actively involved in saving Israel, and that He will be working through them. It’s like a shepherd watching over his flock – God is taking steps to protect and guide the Israelites. Let's unpack it word by word: “And all the inhabitants of Egypt” : This refers to the entire nation of Egypt, which was in a terrible state under Pharaoh. Pharaoh was oppressing the Israelites and hindering their progress. “…shall know that I [am] the LORD” : This is a direct declaration from God. He’s asserting His identity as the Lord. It's a powerful statement of authority. “because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel” : This is where it gets interesting. Think of a reed – it’s flexible and easily moved, but it’s not strong enough to stand alone. The “house of Israel” refers to the Israelites. The verse says that they (the Egyptians) have been using the Israelites as a temporary tool – like a staff – to help them move forward. They're using their strength and flexibility to facilitate the Israelites’ journey. So, what does it mean practically? God is promising to actively intervene in Egypt's situation, not just to observe from afar. He intends to use the Egyptians as an instrument for God's plan – to bring about a time when Israel will be redeemed and restored. It's a promise of divine intervention and a significant step towards God’s ultimate triumph over evil. In essence, this verse paints a picture of God using Egypt as a means to achieve His larger purpose – the salvation of Israel. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the passage? Discuss the historical context of this verse? Connect it to a specific event in biblical history (like the Exodus)?