יחזקאל, פרק כ״ט, פסוק ט״ז

The sudden collapse of a powerful empire serves a dual spiritual purpose for the Israelites: severing a harmful dependence and strengthening pure faith. Egypt, which had long stood as an intimidating superpower, will lose its strength and can no longer serve as a trusted source of support for the people. This ongoing reliance on a foreign nation is fundamentally viewed as a lingering reminder of sin.

The primary approach among commentators is that the very act of turning to Egypt during times of crisis is inherently sinful. It demonstrates a removal of trust from God, replacing divine reliance with a dependence on flesh and blood. Furthermore, maintaining close ties with Egypt exposes the Israelites to corrupt practices, ultimately leading their hearts away from God [מלבי״ם]. Instead of leaning on their Creator, the people physically and spiritually pivot to chase after Egyptian alliances [מצודת ציון].

Beyond a lack of faith, this dependence represents a direct violation of a historical mandate. By turning back to Egypt for help, the Israelites break God's explicit command given during the Exodus, which forbade them from ever returning to see the Egyptians again [רש״י].

Another unique perspective roots this failure in the geographical and historical status of the land of Goshen. According to this approach, Goshen is considered an extension of the Land of Israel, which is the only reason the Israelites were permitted to offer the Passover sacrifice there before their departure. Yet, throughout the First Temple era, Pharaoh maintained control over Goshen. This ongoing foreign rule served as a painful reminder of the people's compromised state, highlighting that their early sacrifices were made in a territory outside their own sovereignty. Pharaoh’s ultimate defeat and Egypt’s reduction to a lowly state will guarantee that he never again rules over these lands or other nations [אהבת יהונתן].

Ultimately, this dramatic historical upheaval serves a single, unifying purpose. Once Egypt is stripped of its strength and the Israelites can no longer look to it for salvation, a universal truth will become clear. Everyone will recognize that God is the exclusive ruler of the world, holding everything in His hands and directing the kings of the earth exactly as He desires [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].