THEOSISTheodoret of Cyrus
The turmoil befalling Egypt will also lead to distress in Ethiopia, her neighboring nation, which will be deeply troubled by similar fears. The Prophet lists the Cretans, Libyans, Ethiopians, Lydians, and Arabians who once assisted the Egyptians and ultimately met their demise alongside them. He does not refer to the Persians who came to the Egyptians’ aid during conflicts with the Assyrians and Chaldeans, but rather those Persians who had settled in Egypt long before. He notes that the Babylon of the Egyptians became synonymous with the Babylon of the Persians due to their presence there. Moreover, he references the Jews, called the sons of the covenant, who fled to Egypt after the siege of Jerusalem, taking the Prophet Jeremiah with them.
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He warns them of impending consequences, for they had disobeyed His will by abandoning Judea for Egypt. This aligns with the words spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, "And they shall take away all the remnant of Judah, which have gone into the land of Egypt, to dwell there: whose word shall prevail, mine or theirs? And this is a sign unto you, saith the Lord, Behold I give Pharaoh Baphrias king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seek his soul: as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, his enemy, and them that seek his soul" (Jeremiah 44:27-30). Thus, the prophecies of the divine messengers resonate in harmony, reflecting the voice of the same Spirit. Furthermore, He prophesies the desolation of Egypt, reiterating this caution; with the king of Assyria depicted as fire, God enhances this message in Ezekiel.