Definition: I have given him the land of Egypt [for] his labour wherewith he served against it, because they wrought for me, saith the Lord GOD.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezekiel 29:20. It’s a really important and somewhat poetic statement about God’s plan for Israel. Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: God is actively working to help the Israelites (the people of Israel) in their work, specifically in rebuilding the land they lost. He’s using them as a tool to accomplish something bigger – bringing back the prosperity and blessing that was taken from them. Let's unpack it word by word: “I have given him the land of Egypt…” - This refers to the land God gave to Abraham and his descendants, specifically the land of Egypt. It’s a land that was once fertile and abundant, but was lost due to wickedness and conflict. “[for] his labour wherewith he served against it” – This is key! “Labour” means work, effort, and striving. "Served against it" suggests they were actively fighting to take over or control the land. God is saying that He's enabling them to do this work. “because they wrought for me, saith the Lord GOD.” - This is the most important part! “They” refers to the people of Egypt. "Wrought for me" means they were actively building and developing the land – making it prosperous, establishing trade routes, and so on. The Lord God is saying that He's overseeing this work and directing it. Putting it all together: God is putting His hand directly into the work of rebuilding the land of Egypt. He’s using them as a vehicle to bring back the prosperity and blessings he promised to them in the first place. It’s a powerful statement about God’s active involvement in restoring something that was lost. In simpler terms: God is helping the Israelites rebuild their homeland, and He's directing their efforts with a lot of care and purpose. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Discuss the significance of this verse in a broader context (like its connection to the story of Egypt)?