1 The word of the Lord came to me:
2 “Son of man, set your face against the Ammonites and prophesy against them.
3 and say to the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord God: Thus says the Lord God, Because you said, ‘Aha!’ over my sanctuary when it was profaned, and over the land of Israel when it was made desolate, and over the house of Judah when they went into exile,
4 therefore, behold, I am handing you over to the people of the East for a possession, and they shall set their encampments among you and make their dwellings in your midst. They shall eat your fruit, and they shall drink your milk.
5 And I will make Rabbah a pasture for camels and Ammon a fold for flocks. Then you will know that I am the Lord.
6 For thus says the Lord God: Because you have clapped your hands and stamped your feet and rejoiced with all the malice within your soul against the land of Israel,
7 therefore, behold, I will stretch out my hand against you and will cut off from you both righteous and wicked.
8 “Thus says the Lord God: Because Moab and Seir said, ‘Behold, the house of Judah is like all the other nations,’”
9 therefore, behold, I will open the side of Moab from the cities, from its cities on its frontier, the glory of the country, Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon, and Kiriathaim.
10 I will give it along with the Ammonites to the people of the East as a possession, that the Ammonites may be remembered no more among the nations,
11 And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon them, and they shall know that I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon them.
12 “Thus says the Lord God: Because Edom acted revengefully against the house of Judah and has grievously offended in taking vengeance on them,”
13 therefore thus says the Lord God, I will stretch out my hand against Edom and cut off from it man and beast. And I will make it desolate; from Teman even to Dedan they shall fall by the sword.
14 And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel, and they shall do in Edom according to my anger and according to my wrath, and they shall know my vengeance, declares the Lord God.
15 “Thus says the Lord God: Because the Philistines acted revengefully and took vengeance with malice of soul to destroy in never-ending enmity,”
16 therefore thus says the Lord God, Behold, I will stretch out my hand against the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethites and destroy the rest of the seacoast.
17 I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes. Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I lay my vengeance upon them.
The True Meaning of Ezekiel 25
The book of Ezekiel was written by the prophet Ezekiel, who was a priest and a prophet during the Babylonian exile. He was among the first group of Israelites taken captive to Babylon in 597 BC, and he received his prophetic visions and messages while living in exile. Ezekiel delivers a series of oracles against the neighboring nations surrounding Judah and Israel in this chapter. These prophecies foretell the judgment and destruction that will come upon Ammon, Moab, Edom, and the Philistines. The chapter serves as a reminder that God’s justice and sovereignty extend beyond the borders of Israel, and that all nations will be held accountable for their actions. Ezekiel’s words echo the warnings and promises found throughout the Scriptures, such as the Lord’s declaration in Jeremiah 25:15-17 that “all the kingdoms on the face of the earth” will drink from the “cup of his wrath” as we examine this passage.” These prophecies also foreshadow the ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom, as described in Zechariah 9:1-8, where the Lord promises to defend his people and protect them from their enemies.
Ezekiel 25:1-7
The passage in Ezekiel 25:1-7 contains a prophecy against Ammon, one of the neighboring nations of Israel. Identify the subject and start the sentence with that: “Let’s break the passage down into important sections.” “The word of the Lord came to me: ‘Son of man, set your face against the Ammonites and prophesy against them.’”
The initiation of this prophecy begins with Ezekiel receiving a divine message from the Lord to speak against the Ammonites. This highlights the prophet’s role as a messenger of God, indicating the importance of delivering God’s word, even if it involves pronouncing judgment on nations or individuals. It shows the sovereignty of God in using His chosen vessels to communicate His will.
- “‘Say to the Ammonites, ‘Hear the word of the Sovereign Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because you said “Aha!” over my sanctuary when it was desecrated and over the land of Israel when it was laid waste and over the people of Judah when they went into exile…”
The Ammonites took pleasure and gloated over the misfortunes that fell upon the people of Israel and Judah. Their derision and mocking of the suffering of God’s chosen people did not go unnoticed by the Lord. This displays the principle of reaping what one sows, as the Ammonites’ malicious joy over the downfall of others ultimately led to their own downfall. It is a warning against rejoicing over the misfortunes of others and a reminder of God’s justice.
- “Therefore I am going to give you to the people of the East as a possession. They will set up their camps and pitch their tents among you; they will eat your fruit and drink your milk.”
Here, God declares the punishment that will befall the Ammonites. The people of the East, possibly referring to the Babylonians or other eastern nations, will invade and conquer the land of the Ammonites, appropriating their resources. This serves as a powerful illustration of God’s judgment and the consequences of pride and arrogance. The Ammonites rejoiced over the suffering of others, and now their enemies will make them experience the same fate. This passage emphasizes the themes of judgment, justice, and accountability in considering the broader context of the Bible. Throughout the Old Testament, we see numerous instances where God holds nations accountable for their actions, whether through prophets like Ezekiel or through direct interventions like the Babylonian exile. The story of the Ammonites serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride, arrogance, and rejoicing over the downfall of others. The fulfillment of prophecies and the consequences of disobedience to God’s commands are witnessed in Ezekiel 25:1-7. It also underscores the overarching narrative of God’s faithfulness to His people and His righteous judgment on those who oppose Him. It reminds us that God is just and will ultimately hold all nations accountable for their actions. This passage serves as a sobering reminder to act with humility and compassion towards others, knowing that God sees all and will judge according to His perfect wisdom and righteousness.
Ezekiel 25:8-11
A prophecy against Moab, one of the neighboring nations of Israel, is seen in Ezekiel 25:8-11. This prophecy details the judgment that God will bring upon the Moabites for their arrogance and hostility towards the people of Israel.
The first section of this passage, verse 8, speaks of how Moab had said, “The house of Judah is like all the other nations.” This suggests that the Moabites viewed the people of Judah as no different from the surrounding nations, showing a lack of respect and regard for the chosen people of God. This attitude of indifference towards the people of Judah reflects a deeper issue of pride and disregard for God’s chosen nation.
God’s response to this prideful attitude of the Moabites is seen in the following verses. The Lord declares in verse 9 that He will expose the flank of Moab, a symbolic act of vulnerability and weakness. This image conveys the idea that Moab, in their arrogance, will be left defenseless and humiliated before their enemies. This prophesied downfall of Moab serves as a reminder that no nation or individual is immune to the judgment of God, especially when they defy His will and mistreat His people.
Furthermore, in verse 10, God speaks of how the Moabites will come to know that He is the Lord through the execution of His judgments upon them. This verse emphasizes the sovereignty and power of God to bring about justice and discipline to those who rebel against Him. The ultimate purpose of this judgment is not just punishment, but also to bring about repentance and a recognition of God’s authority. The prophecy in verse 11 of this passage speaks of how God will execute His judgments upon Moab with pestilence, bloodshed, and devastation. These forms of punishment serve as a reminder of the seriousness of defying God’s commands and mistreating His people. Through this prophecy, Ezekiel conveys the message that God is just and will not tolerate pride, arrogance, and hostility towards His chosen people.
This prophecy against Moab is reflective of a recurring theme in the Bible where God holds nations accountable for their actions and attitudes towards His people. God’s judgments against nations like Moab, Ammon, and Edom for their mistreatment of Israel are seen in the Old Testament. These narratives serve as a reminder of God’s faithfulness to His people and His commitment to justice. God continues to uphold His justice and righteousness in the world today, just as He dealt with Moab in Ezekiel’s time.
Ezekiel 25:12-14
A prophecy against Edom, a nation that was traditionally hostile towards the Israelites, is seen in Ezekiel 25:12-14. Let’s break down this verse and explore its significance in the broader context of the Bible, specifically in the book of Ezekiel.
“And will execute judgments upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel; and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord God. God is declaring divine judgment against Edom in this section, proclaiming that the people of Israel will serve as the instrument of His punishment. This verse emphasizes the concept of God using one nation to carry out His judgment against another. This concept is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, illustrating God’s sovereignty over all nations and His ability to use them for His purposes, whether for blessing or for judgment.
The animosity between Edom and Israel dates back to the time of their ancestors, Jacob and Esau, who were brothers. Esau, the father of the Edomites, sold his birthright to Jacob, the father of the Israelites, for a bowl of lentil stew (Genesis 25:29-34). This act set the stage for a long-standing rivalry between the descendants of these brothers, culminating in conflicts and hostilities, as depicted in various parts of the Old Testament.
The prophecy in Ezekiel against Edom serves as a reminder of God’s justice and retribution. It shows that God is aware of the actions of nations and individuals and will hold them accountable for their deeds. It also highlights the consequences of harboring hatred and seeking revenge, as seen in Edom’s actions against Israel.
Furthermore, this passage underscores the theme of divine justice and the fulfillment of God’s Word. The Lord’s declaration of judgment against Edom through the prophet Ezekiel demonstrates God’s faithfulness to His promises and His active involvement in human history. It serves as a warning to all nations and people to heed His commands and walk in obedience to avoid facing His righteous judgment. Ezekiel 25:12-14 provides a powerful illustration of God’s sovereignty, justice, and faithfulness. It reveals the consequences of enmity and disobedience while emphasizing the importance of aligning with God’s will to avoid His wrath. We encourage readers to reflect on their own actions and attitudes, ensuring that they walk in righteousness and humility before the Almighty God.
Ezekiel 25:15-17
The prophet Ezekiel delivers a message from the Lord regarding the judgment of the nations in Ezekiel 25:15-17. These verses specifically focus on the judgment of the Philistines, outlining their punishment for their acts of revenge and hostility towards the people of Israel. Let’s break down these verses into important sections for a deeper understanding.
Beginning with verse 15, “Thus says the Lord God: ‘Because the Philistines acted vengefully and took revenge with malice in their hearts, and with ancient hostilities sought to destroy Judah.’” Here, the Lord condemns the Philistines for their vengeful and malicious actions against Judah. The Philistines were a longstanding enemy of the Israelites and frequently clashed with them throughout biblical history. This verse serves as a reminder that seeking revenge and harboring malice in one’s heart goes against the teachings of God. It highlights the consequences of holding on to grudges and seeking harm against others.
Moving on to verse 16, “Therefore thus says the Lord God, ‘Behold, I will stretch out My hand against the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethites and destroy the remnant of the seacoast.’” The Cherethites were a group of people closely associated with the Philistines and were likely mercenaries or allies of the Philistine nation. The Lord specifies that not only the main Philistine nation but also its allies will face His judgment by mentioning the Cherethites. This demonstrates that God’s judgment is just and thorough, extending to all parties involved in wrongdoing. “It states in the final verse, verse 17, that ‘I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes.’” Then they will know that I am the Lord when I lay My vengeance upon them.” This verse emphasizes that the judgment upon the Philistines is not merely for punishment’s sake but also for the purpose of revealing God’s power and authority. Through His actions, the Lord intends to make known His sovereignty and justice to the Philistines and all nations. This serves as a reminder that God is the ultimate authority, and His judgment will ultimately prevail over all.
The message conveyed in Ezekiel 25:15-17 reinforces the biblical theme of divine judgment and justice. It underscores the importance of following God’s commandments, avoiding malice and seeking peace instead of vengeance. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of defying God’s will and engaging in hostility towards His people. These verses echo similar themes found throughout the Bible, such as in Romans 12:19 which states, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” This verse aligns with the message of Ezekiel, emphasizing the importance of leaving judgment to God rather than taking matters into our own hands.
After Ezekiel 25
The Lord had spoken to Ezekiel, commanding him to prophesy against the nations surrounding Israel. Ezekiel had delivered the Lord’s message of judgment against Ammon, Moab, Edom, and the Philistines. Each nation would face the consequences of their actions against God’s chosen people. A solemn silence fell over the assembly as Ezekiel finished recounting the Lord’s words of condemnation. The people knew the gravity of these pronouncements. Yet, the reverend recognized a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. For the Lord, in His infinite wisdom, had not abandoned His people. The next chapter would reveal the Lord’s plan to restore and redeem His beloved Israel.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.