Chapters 25-32 deal with foreign nations. There are 7 nations dealt with here. We see in Genesis 12:1-3 that nations are blessed through Israel and cursed when cursed through Israel. There isn't an expiration date on this concept. Those who curse Israel will be judged.
Ezekiel 25:1-5
Ezekiel was to 'set his fac' to Ammon. This was a posture of judgment, to pronounce the word of the Lord over them. Ammon was NE of the Dead Sea. The Ammonites were a Semitic tribe, speaking a form of Hebrew. They descended from Lot. However, they were often times at odds with Israel and fought over the region of Gilead.
Because they celebrated Judah's downfall, they found themselves in the sight of God's wrath. They celebrated:
- Against God's sanctuary when it was profaned
- Against the land of Israel when it was desolate
- Against the house of Judah when they went into captivity
Because of these celebrations, they would be delivered to the men of the East. The nomadic tribes would move in among them after their defeat. They would set up encampments and enjoy the fruit of the land. The capital of Ammon, Rabbah, would serve as a stable for the camels of the nomads.
Ezekiel 25:6-7
These verses serve as a reprisal, a reinforcement of the previous announced action. They clapped the hands and stomped their feet and rejoiced with contempt toward Israel. When God stretched out his hand against you it was an act of judgment. They were not out of God's read of free of His influence. Ammon would be given as plunder to the nations.
Ezekiel 25:8-11
Moab was just south of Ammon, east of Israel. Some texts added Seir in; this was another name given for Edom. The Moabites were characterized as celebrating and saying that Judah was like the other nations. In doing so, they were defaming God and His influence on Israel. God said that because of this He would clear out the three cities that lie along the border forming the western defenses against Israel. Their fate would be similar to that of the Ammonites. They would be given to the men of the east, the Nomadic tribes.
Ezekiel 25:12-14
Edom was southeast of Israel. They were related to Esau. It sounds as though Edom was allied with Babylon against Judah and Jerusalem at their downfall. This vengeance taken against them greatly angered and offended the Lord. As such, the hand of the Lord would be stretched out against them. All man and beast would be cut off and God's vengeance would fal on them.
Ezekiel 25:15-17
There was a perpetual (old) hatred for Israel held by the Philistines. They lived on the coastal plains west of Judah. They also took vengeance and did so with contempt (a spiteful heart). God would also stretch out His hand against them. The Cherethites were an Aegean people living in Philistia. Their actions would bring great vengeance and furious rebukes from the Lord to make them know He was Lord.
©2019 Doug Ford
©2019 Doug Ford
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