In the Bible Egypt is a nation that depends not on God but on its own resources. In addition, the Egyptians exercised their wisdom to develop their natural resources in order to become rich and have a sufficient supply. When the people of Israel were short of food, they went down to Egypt (Gen. 12:10; 42:1-3). Thus, Egypt represents persons who, independent of God, seek worldly riches by developing their own resources to be rich in supply and to be a source of supply for others. At the time of Ezekiel, Israel turned to Egypt and leaned upon Egypt, trusting in Egypt as a staff. But the Lord said that Egypt was a staff made of reeds, easy to break (vv. 6-7).

A horn signifies power for fighting unto victory. Christ is the horn that will sprout for the house of Israel. At Ezekiel’s time other nations had conquered and oppressed the people of Israel, and Israel had no way to go on. But God promised that one day a horn would sprout forth from the house of Israel to be against all the nations and to overcome the authorities on earth so that the nation of Israel may be saved. Christ will become the horn to deliver them from all oppression and bondage (Jer. 23:5-6; Luke 1:69-71; cf. Zech. 12:2-9; 14:1-7, 12-15). See note Ezek. 3:17^1b.