God Refused Comfort Over What Egypt Did to His Children

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 226:2

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

Another interpretation: "And God did not let them be comforted." Because the Holy One, blessed be He, said to the prophet, "Son of man, wail over the multitude of Egypt and bring it down" (Ezekiel 32:18), Pharaoh began to boast, saying, "I will go down to be among them." He said to him, "Whom do you surpass in pleasantness?" (Ezekiel 32:19) "From whom are you more beautiful? Are you better than the king of Assyria, or than the king of Tyre and Sidon?" "Go down and be laid with the uncircumcised... There is Assyria and all her assembly... there is Elam and all her multitude... there is Meshech, Tubal, and all her multitude... there Edom, her kings and all her princes... there the princes of the north" (Ezekiel 32:21-30). At that hour Pharaoh would see them and be consoled, as it is said, "Pharaoh shall see them and be comforted" (Ezekiel 32:31). The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, "Pharaoh, you are comforted, but I am not comforted over what you did to My children." "And God did not let them be comforted."

Themes

Divine JudgmentEgyptDivine Compassion

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