70 The Fundamentals time no native prince has ruled in Egypt. I t is also written that Egypt should become the basest of the kingdoms, “Neither shall it exalt itself any more above the nations; for I will diminish them that they shall no more rule over the nations.” This degradation has fully come to pass. Who would ever have thought that this magnificent country with its vast re sources, its wonderful commerce, its great prosperity, its lux uries, the land of marvelous structures, could ever experience such a downfall! Another significant fact is that in spite of the great humiliation and degradation through which Egypt has passed for so many centuries, it is not to experience a total extinction. In this respect her fate differs from that of other nations, “They shall be there a base kingdom” (Ezek. 29 :14 ) ; this is the condition of Egypt today. And other prophets announce the same fact. One of the earliest prophets is Joel. He prophesied between 860 and 850 B. C. He pre dicted at that early date, “Egypt shall be a desolation.” Isaiah also foretells the awful judgment of this great land of ancient culture. In the light of unfulfilled prophecy we discover the reason why God has not permitted the complete extinction of Egypt. Egypt is yet to be lifted out of the dust and is to receive a place of blessing only second to that of Israel (Isa. 19:22- 25). This will be fulfilled when our Lord comes again. And what more could we say of Idumea, Babylonia, As syria and other lands. Moab and Ammon, the enemies of Israel, once flourishing nations, have passed away and the numerous judgment predictions have come true. (See Jer. 48-49.) Edom is gone. “O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill, though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith Jehovah” (Jer. 49:16). “Thou shalt be desolate, O Mount Seir, and all Idumea, even all of it” (Ezek. 35:15). I t was an atheist who was first used to report that during a journey of eight days he had found in the territory of Idumea the ruins of thirty cities.
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