Brief Summary and Connection
In this week's parsha, we read about the destruction of Egypt through the last three of the Ten Plagues delivered by Yad Hashem. In the haftorah below, Hashem once more inflicts punishment upon Egypt hundreds of years later through Nevuchadnezzar, King of Bavel.
Parable
(19) Equip yourself for exile, Fair Egypt, you who dwell secure! For Noph shall become a waste, Desolate, without inhabitants. (20) Egypt is a handsome heifer— A gadfly from the north is coming, coming! (21) The mercenaries, too, in her midst Are like stall-fed calves; They too shall turn tail, Flee as one, and make no stand. Their day of disaster is upon them, The hour of their doom. (22) She shall rustle away like a snake. As they come marching in force; They shall come against her with axes, Like hewers of wood. (23) They shall cut down her forest —declares the LORD— Though it cannot be measured; For they are more numerous than locusts, And cannot be counted. (24) Fair Egypt shall be shamed, Handed over to the people of the north.
This imagery is reminiscent of two things that occurred prior in Tanach:
1. Pharaoh's Dream (seven fat cows and seven skinny cows)
2. The Fifth Makkah, Dever (the livestock got sick, emaciated and died)
Once again, the imagery of the snake is reminiscent of a prior story in Tanach:
--> Rashi picks up on this idea (the snake from Gan Eden)
Point to Ponder: Perhaps when Moshe's staff turned into a snake as well before the makkot occurred has some kind of significance and connection as well
Yet again, the imagery of the innumerable locusts is reminiscent of another story from Tanach:
--> The Eighth Makkah (Locusts)
Point to Ponder: This story is directly correlated, as it occurs in this week's parsha, establishing a clear link between the parsha (Parshat Bo) and the Haftorah (Yirmiyahu 46:13-28)
Hashem's Oath to the Jews
(27) But you, Have no fear, My servant Jacob, Be not dismayed, O Israel! I will deliver you from far away, Your folk from their land of captivity; And Jacob again shall have calm and quiet, with none to trouble him. (28) But you, have no fear, My servant Jacob —declares the LORD— For I am with you. I will make an end of all the nations Among which I have banished you, But I will not make an end of you! I will not leave you unpunished, But I will chastise you in measure.
Connection
Just like in Parshat Bo, Hashem promises the Jews that He will redeem them and that they should not fear, for He is with them.
Additionally, He promises the ruin of Egypt in both circumstances, and we are left on a cliffhanger...