Ezekiel 25: Judgment on the Nations Surrounding Israel
The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying,
Son of man, set thy face against the Ammonites, and prophesy against them;
And say unto the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord God; Thus saith the Lord God; Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it was desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity;
Behold, therefore I will deliver thee to the men of the east for a possession, and they shall set their palaces in thee, and make their dwellings in thee: they shall eat thy fruit, and they shall drink thy milk.
And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels, and the Ammonites a couchingplace for flocks: and ye shall know that I am the Lord.
For thus saith the Lord God; Because thou hast clapped thine hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced in heart with all thy despite against the land of Israel;
Behold, therefore I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and will deliver thee for a spoil to the heathen; and I will cut thee off from the people, and I will cause thee to perish out of the countries: I will destroy thee; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord.
Thus saith the Lord God; Because that Moab and Seir do say, Behold, the house of Judah is like unto all the heathen;
Therefore, behold, I will open the side of Moab from the cities, from his cities which are on his frontiers, the glory of the country, Beth–jeshimoth, Baal–meon, and Kiriathaim,
Unto the men of the east with the Ammonites, and will give them in possession, that the Ammonites may not be remembered among the nations.
And I will execute judgments upon Moab; and they shall know that I am the Lord.
Thus saith the Lord God; Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them;
Therefore thus saith the Lord God; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword.
And I will lay my vengeance 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.
Thus saith the Lord God; Because the Philistines have dealt by revenge, and have taken vengeance with a despiteful heart, to destroy it for the old hatred;
Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will stretch out mine hand upon the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethims, and destroy the remnant of the sea coast.
And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.
Ezekiel 25 marks a significant shift in the prophet's focus. While earlier chapters concentrated on the sins and impending judgment of Judah and Jerusalem, here the spotlight turns to the nations surrounding Israel. These prophecies reveal God's sovereign justice extending beyond His chosen people to encompass all nations accountable to Him. These judgments against Ammon, Moab, Edom and Philistia, were rooted in their mistreatment of Israel, highlighting the Abrahamic covenant's enduring principle: "I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt" (Genesis 12:3). Ezekiel 25 serves as a stark reminder that how nations treat God’s people reflects their attitude toward God Himself.
Ammon's Arrogant Mockery
The prophecy against Ammon (Ezekiel 25:1-7) condemns their gleeful reaction to Jerusalem's fall and the destruction of the Temple. The Ammonites, rather than showing compassion or remorse, mocked Israel's suffering, exclaiming, "Aha!" in derision (Ezekiel 25:3). This malicious joy over Israel's demise demonstrated a deep-seated hostility and disregard for God's covenant people. Consequently, God declared that Ammon's land would be invaded and laid waste (Ezekiel 25:4-5, 7). The judgment echoes a previous pronouncement in Ezekiel 21:28-32. Ammon's sin was not merely territorial aggression, but a spiritual offense rooted in their contempt for God's chosen nation.
Moab's Mistaken Identity
Moab, closely related to Ammon through Lot's lineage (Genesis 19:30-38), shared a similar fate (Ezekiel 25:8-11). Their transgression lay in equating the house of Judah with any other nation (Ezekiel 25:8), failing to recognize their unique covenant relationship with God. This flawed understanding fueled their perpetual enmity towards Israel. Moab's actions demonstrated a denial of God's special relationship with Israel. As a result, God would deliver Moab's land to the same "people of the east" who would conquer Ammon (Ezekiel 25:10; see 25:4), bringing desolation upon their cities.
Edom's Vengeful Hostility
The judgment against Edom (Ezekiel 25:12-14) highlights their long history of animosity towards Israel. The Edomites, descendants of Esau, had harbored resentment since Jacob supplanted Esau. This resentment manifested in their refusal to allow Israel passage through their land after the Exodus. Their hostility culminated in actively seeking Israel's downfall during Babylon's invasions. Because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah, God decreed Edom's downfall (Ezekiel 25:12-13; see the book of Obadiah). God declared that He would stretch out His hand against Edom and cut off both man and beast from it, making it a desolation.
Philistia's Perpetual Hatred
Finally, Ezekiel addresses the Philistines (Ezekiel 25:15-17), Israel's long-standing adversaries along the Mediterranean coast. Their conflict originated during the conquest of the Promised Land and persisted throughout Israel's history. The Philistines, driven by a "perpetual hatred" (Ezekiel 25:15) and a desire for revenge, acted with "deep contempt" against Israel. Therefore, God announced destruction upon the Cherethites (a synonym for Philistines), asserting His sovereignty and teaching them, "I am the LORD" (Ezekiel 25:16-17). This declaration underscores the ultimate purpose of God's judgments: to reveal His power and glory to all nations.
Ezekiel 25 serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering commitment to His covenant and His intolerance of injustice. While these prophecies specifically address the sins of Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia, they carry a timeless message for all nations: those who despise and mistreat God's people will ultimately face His righteous judgment. The chapter also underscores the importance of recognizing God's hand in history and aligning oneself with His purposes.
The word of the Lord came again unto me, saying,
Son of man, set thy face against the Ammonites, and prophesy against them;
And say unto the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord God; Thus saith the Lord God; Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it was desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity;
Behold, therefore I will deliver thee to the men of the east for a possession, and they shall set their palaces in thee, and make their dwellings in thee: they shall eat thy fruit, and they shall drink thy milk.
And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels, and the Ammonites a couchingplace for flocks: and ye shall know that I am the Lord.
For thus saith the Lord God; Because thou hast clapped thine hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced in heart with all thy despite against the land of Israel;
Behold, therefore I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and will deliver thee for a spoil to the heathen; and I will cut thee off from the people, and I will cause thee to perish out of the countries: I will destroy thee; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord.
Thus saith the Lord God; Because that Moab and Seir do say, Behold, the house of Judah is like unto all the heathen;
Therefore, behold, I will open the side of Moab from the cities, from his cities which are on his frontiers, the glory of the country, Beth–jeshimoth, Baal–meon, and Kiriathaim,
Unto the men of the east with the Ammonites, and will give them in possession, that the Ammonites may not be remembered among the nations.
And I will execute judgments upon Moab; and they shall know that I am the Lord.
Thus saith the Lord God; Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them;
Therefore thus saith the Lord God; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword.
And I will lay my vengeance 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.
Thus saith the Lord God; Because the Philistines have dealt by revenge, and have taken vengeance with a despiteful heart, to destroy it for the old hatred;
Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will stretch out mine hand upon the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethims, and destroy the remnant of the sea coast.
And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.
Ezekiel 25 marks a significant shift in the prophet's focus. While earlier chapters concentrated on the sins and impending judgment of Judah and Jerusalem, here the spotlight turns to the nations surrounding Israel. These prophecies reveal God's sovereign justice extending beyond His chosen people to encompass all nations accountable to Him. These judgments against Ammon, Moab, Edom and Philistia, were rooted in their mistreatment of Israel, highlighting the Abrahamic covenant's enduring principle: "I will bless those who bless you, I will curse anyone who treats you with contempt" (Genesis 12:3). Ezekiel 25 serves as a stark reminder that how nations treat God’s people reflects their attitude toward God Himself.
Ammon's Arrogant Mockery
The prophecy against Ammon (Ezekiel 25:1-7) condemns their gleeful reaction to Jerusalem's fall and the destruction of the Temple. The Ammonites, rather than showing compassion or remorse, mocked Israel's suffering, exclaiming, "Aha!" in derision (Ezekiel 25:3). This malicious joy over Israel's demise demonstrated a deep-seated hostility and disregard for God's covenant people. Consequently, God declared that Ammon's land would be invaded and laid waste (Ezekiel 25:4-5, 7). The judgment echoes a previous pronouncement in Ezekiel 21:28-32. Ammon's sin was not merely territorial aggression, but a spiritual offense rooted in their contempt for God's chosen nation.
Moab's Mistaken Identity
Moab, closely related to Ammon through Lot's lineage (Genesis 19:30-38), shared a similar fate (Ezekiel 25:8-11). Their transgression lay in equating the house of Judah with any other nation (Ezekiel 25:8), failing to recognize their unique covenant relationship with God. This flawed understanding fueled their perpetual enmity towards Israel. Moab's actions demonstrated a denial of God's special relationship with Israel. As a result, God would deliver Moab's land to the same "people of the east" who would conquer Ammon (Ezekiel 25:10; see 25:4), bringing desolation upon their cities.
Edom's Vengeful Hostility
The judgment against Edom (Ezekiel 25:12-14) highlights their long history of animosity towards Israel. The Edomites, descendants of Esau, had harbored resentment since Jacob supplanted Esau. This resentment manifested in their refusal to allow Israel passage through their land after the Exodus. Their hostility culminated in actively seeking Israel's downfall during Babylon's invasions. Because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah, God decreed Edom's downfall (Ezekiel 25:12-13; see the book of Obadiah). God declared that He would stretch out His hand against Edom and cut off both man and beast from it, making it a desolation.
Philistia's Perpetual Hatred
Finally, Ezekiel addresses the Philistines (Ezekiel 25:15-17), Israel's long-standing adversaries along the Mediterranean coast. Their conflict originated during the conquest of the Promised Land and persisted throughout Israel's history. The Philistines, driven by a "perpetual hatred" (Ezekiel 25:15) and a desire for revenge, acted with "deep contempt" against Israel. Therefore, God announced destruction upon the Cherethites (a synonym for Philistines), asserting His sovereignty and teaching them, "I am the LORD" (Ezekiel 25:16-17). This declaration underscores the ultimate purpose of God's judgments: to reveal His power and glory to all nations.
Ezekiel 25 serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering commitment to His covenant and His intolerance of injustice. While these prophecies specifically address the sins of Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia, they carry a timeless message for all nations: those who despise and mistreat God's people will ultimately face His righteous judgment. The chapter also underscores the importance of recognizing God's hand in history and aligning oneself with His purposes.