Ezekiel 29-32

“Because you have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel … when they grasped you with the hand, you broke and tore all their shoulders; and when they leaned on you, you broke” (29:6-7).  God declared that that the Egyptian Empire was going to be overthrown by Babylon, due to their own pride and because they led Israel astray.  Rather than depending on God alone, Israel was constantly tempted to “return to Egypt,” to lean on this pagan nation for support and defense - which always failed (29:16).

Any “staff of reed” we lean on may break and harm us; God calls us to rely totally on Him, our Rock and firm foundation.