Egyptian archaeologists have discovered the remains of something that may have been connected to a spiritual stronghold that once controlled this region of the Egypt.

In 2019, a large basin, 115’ in diameter, was discovered beneath the sands in the northern Siani. It was described as a ’sacred water installation’ that was once part of the ancient city of Pelusium.

It focused on the worship of a god called Pelusios, which simply means mud. This was a mud god. There were multiple water channels feeding into this massive basin that was filled with water and mud to facilitate the worship of that ancient deity.

But this location is identified by a different name in Bible, it was call Sin. The prophet Ezekiel goes a step further and refers to it as a stronghold.

I will pour out My wrath on ^[a]Sin, [footnoted as Pelusium]
The stronghold of Egypt; (Ezekiel 30:15 NASV)

Now in the natural realm, the city had significant political and military function as it was located on the Egypt’s northern border. But the large basin adds a spiritual dimension to this discussion.

Was God promising to deal with the spiritual stronghold in that region?

This is certainly a possibility, because in the previous chapter, a prophetic word was given concerning Egypt. It starts off railing against the pharaoh, but then it takes a strange turn and addresses a great monster that lies in the Nile:

“Behold, I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt,
The great monster that lies in the midst of his canals,
That has said, ‘My Nile is mine, and I myself have made it.’ (Ezekiel 29:3 NASV)

God promised to drag this monster out of the river and dispatch it. It wasn’t going to be pretty and it would stink to high heaven.

Was the prophet still speaking of the Pharaoh or something more sinister, a demonic spirit that controlled Egypt?

I suspect it was the latter. These are often referred to as territorial spirits. When the nations worshiped other gods, the Bible says that there were demons behind these idols receiving the worship (Deuteronomy 32:16-17).

Satan has been given control of all the nations of the worlds (Matthew 4:8-9). As part of this structure, fallen angels have been put over specific nations, such as the Prince of Persia mentioned in Daniel 10:13.

Perhaps not coincidentally, the Nile was considered one of the three major deities of Egypt, along with the Sun god Ra, and the Pharaohs who were considered half human and half god.

At different times in Egypt’s history, one of the three would be the dominant god of the day.

The description of the mud god at Pelusium suggests a spiritual connection with the Nile god.

The much longer prophecy in chapter 29 was directed at the major demonic spirit controlling the full nation of Egypt. The shorter word about Pelusium, suggests this stronghold represented a lower ranking demonic spirit. Perhaps one that would be over a state or province.

In 2 Corinthians 10, the Apostle Paul spoke of the spiritual battle raging on earth and need for God to pull down these strongholds.

But notice how Paul ties the pulling down of strongholds to casting down arguments.

³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NKV)

These demonic strongholds have the ability to influence the reasonings or beliefs of people within their area of influence. Once the stronghold is pulled down, this influence ends, and it opens people’s minds up to the Gospel.

Throughout history, we have witnessed massive revivals sweeping countries. When it happens at that level, it reveals that a spiritual stronghold at a national level had been pulled down.

Remember only God can pull down a spiritual stronghold of this nature, our role is to pray for God to move.