Ezekiel 30:17

On, or Heliopolis, 'House of the Sun,' in northern Egypt, a seat of idolatry: its young men should fall by the sword. Ezekiel 30:17.

The 'city of the Sun,' in Egypt. Poti-pherah, the father of Asenath, Joseph's wife, was priest of the city. Genesis 41:45, 50; Genesis 46:20. It is regarded as the same as Beth-shemesh in Jeremiah 43:13, and as Aven in Ezekiel 30:17. Identified with the ruins of Heliopolis, about ten miles north-east of Cairo.

It is with the gods of Egypt, as at first so now at last, that God's main controversy lies. This was before Him when the destroyer went through the land and struck down the firstborn on the night of the Passover. It is before Him here too, when He adds that there shall be no more a prince of the land of Egypt. The young men of cities famous for idol temples, Aven or On (Heliopolis), and Pibeseth or Pasht (Bubastis), should die by the sword, and the women go into captivity.

The points marked out here are of two kinds. Some set before us the idolatry, which in Egypt was so monstrous and which God could never forget. Others are the symbols of her power and might — her capitals, No, or Thebes, and Noph, or Memphis. Zoan also, which God had plagued long before in Moses' time, has its place among these. The strongholds are gone and the land is open to all attackers. The purpose here, as everywhere, is that they may know that He is Jehovah — whether men will listen or whether they will refuse.

This is the place whose young men were to fall by the sword, while others were carried into captivity. It is named in the judgement of God upon Egypt, Ezekiel 30:17. It is judged to be the city Bubastis, on the west bank of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile. Its ruins at Tell Basta show how grand it once was. Pieces of the finest red granite lie there, which seem to have formed part of a temple.

We come now to the second cause of the judgment. Here we see how God takes up the cause of His people, foolish and perverse as they may have been. Had they not been warned enough that they must not trust in Egypt? This Pharaoh invited their confidence when he could not justify it. When Israel leaned on him, he gave way under them, and tore all their shoulder and lamed all their loins. So he must be put in the place where he belongs. And God Himself must break the staff that gave way to the hurt of His people.

When you read these prophecies, notice one important thing. Nebuchadnezzar is regarded as the servant of God in carrying out His judgment, both on Jerusalem and on the nations round about. In this way he cleared the land of Israel of them.

Aven is Heliopolis, once the centre of sun-worship. Pi-beseth is Bubastis, where the sacred cats were mummified, and it too is a desolation now. What a remarkable fulfilment of what the Lord had announced through His prophet! He fulfilled the words spoken through Ezekiel, and He will also fulfil every other prediction spoken by His holy prophets and apostles.