Ezekiel 29:17-21 - Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Ezekiel’s message of judgment on Egypt starts in chapter 29 and has seven segments. So far, we have covered the first segment in verses 1-16. Ezekiel 29:17-21 is the second segment of the message. The message came to Ezekiel in the 27^th year, on the first day of the first month of Jehoiachin’s captivity concerning the fall of Egypt.

Apparently, Nebuchadnezzar’s army went hard on Tyre for thirteen years and was unrewarded. The phrase “every head made bald” was by way of saying that his force of soldiers had worn their ill-fitted helmets for so long till they were made bald.  Besides their shoulders became raw and sore from carrying the timbers and stones. Despite all the hard labor, their reward was meager. They did not return with many spoils of war. This is an indication that though Nebuchadnezzar had attacked Tyre, he did not capture her. Apparently, Tyre only fell into the hand of Babylon later.      

As a reward for his not-so-fruitful work in Tyre, God gave Egypt to him instead.  So, Nebuchadnezzar’s force attack on Egypt was God’s doing. He had declared saying, “I have given him (Nebuchadnezzar) the land of Egypt for his labor which he performed because they acted for Me.” In no uncertain terms, God said in verse 19, “Behold, I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. And he will carry off her wealth and capture her spoil seize her plunder; and it will be wages for his army.”

The unrewarded work of Nebuchadnezzar against Tyre seemed to have put a question mark on Ezekiel’s authenticity as a prophet. Verse 21 denotes that what God did to Egypt was to affirm his prophetic ministry and prove that he was His spokesman. Through it all the people would come to know that the Lord is God.    

For thirteen long years of hard work, Nebuchadnezzar’s force did not take away many things from Tyre. What they did receive, however, were heads made bald by their ill-fitted helmets and shoulders made sore by carrying timbers and rocks. However, God rewarded them in another way. This tells us that the service we render for Him will never go unrewarded.

This brings us to what Paul said in Colossians 3:23-24 and hears the exhortation of God. “Whatever we do, do our work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord we will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom we serve.”

 

This is what the British missionary, C.T. Studd has to say: 

Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
 
Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
 
Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill.
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
 
When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
 
Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh, let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.