Ezekiel Chapter 25
Ezekiel 25:1 "The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,"
This is a new series of prophecies about the seven nations associated with Judah.
Ezekiel 25:1 – 32:32: Proclaims judgments on 7 other nations, similar to the series (in Jer. 46 to 51). Four of them are singled out in this chapter for vindictive jealousy and hate toward Israel.
It is fitting, after devoting (chapters 1 to 24), to calamity on His chosen nation, that God should reveal His impartiality toward all sinners and give the prophet judgments to proclaim on Gentiles.
Israel’s sinful failure had profaned God’s honor in the eyes of these peoples
Ezekiel
The Ammonites had been enemies of Israel for many years. In this particular instance, they had sided with Nebuchadnezzar against Judah.
God had actually brought judgment on Jerusalem and His people. The temple was destroyed, so they would not have a place to fellowship with God. The thing that caused God's great anger towards the ammonites was the fact, they were proud when the sanctuary was destroyed.
The Ammonites were of incestuous origin, and were often hostile toward Judah. God judged this people because of their enmity against Israel. They had expressed malicious pleasure at the dishonoring of the temple, desolation of the land, and dispersion of the inhabitants.
Ezekiel 25:4 "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."
The "men of the east" are, probably, speaking of the Midianites. They were the descendants of Ishmael. "Palaces" here is speaking of tent villages. Nebuchadnezzar probably left this area in just the condition for the nomads.
Ezekiel 25:5 "And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels, and the Ammonites a couching place for flocks: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD."
Rabbah had been the capital of the Ammonites. It had been a large city. Ezekiel speaks of its destruction here. It will become like a pasture for flocks. The LORD has spoken judgment on Rabbah.
Ezekiel 25:6 "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;"
This is again speaking of the Ammonites as they had rejoiced at the downfall of Jerusalem. Now, the same judgment is upon them.
Ezekiel 25:7 "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."
The difference here, and in Jerusalem's destruction, is Jerusalem had a remnant saved, and they will not. The "stretched out hand of God" speaks of judgment. The destruction will be so great, there will be no doubt that this judgment is from God.
(In Jer. 49:6), we see God promised that captives would have an opportunity to return. This was partially fulfilled under Cyrus, but will be more fully in the coming kingdom of Messiah.
Verses
Ezekiel 25:8 "Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Moab and Seir do say, Behold, the house of Judah [is] like unto all the heathen;"
We see again here, they had spoken evil of the house of Judah, whom God loved. Judgment will come on them also.
Again, as with the Ammonites, (Jer. 48:47) says that God will bring back the captives of Moab in the latter days.
The reason for judgment also included their gloating over Israel’s fall, as well as their scorn in saying Israel was like all other people with no privileged position before God. Both Ammonites and Moabites became absorbed into the Arabian peoples.
Ezekiel 25:9 "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,
This is speaking of the border cities, which will be overrun.
Ezekiel 25:10 "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."
The Ammonites will never be remembered anymore. This is the end of the Ammonites.
Ezekiel 25:11 "And I will execute judgments upon Moab; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD."
It appears that this very destruction occurs about 5 years after Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem. We dealt with this more fully in the book of Jeremiah. Nebuchadnezzar did not stop with Judah and Jerusalem, but went on a siege of all the adjoining nations.
Ezekiel 25:12 "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;"
These people lived south of Moab from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqabah. These people had been almost annihilated by David, but won back independence during the reign of Ahaz.
Their revenge was hostility to Israel constantly. The reason for judgment is Edom’s disdain when the Israelites were devastated (in
Edom was the land that Esau founded. It seemed every chance Edom had, they did wrong to Judah. The hatred went all the way back to Jacob and Esau. Esau felt Jacob had taken his birthright, when in fact, he had traded it to him for a bowl of soup.
Ezekiel
God is taking vengeance for Israel here. This could be speaking also, of a future time, when the vengeance will be carried out by Israel. Many of the prophecies have several fulfillments.
The Arab tribe called the Nabateans invaded Edom (in 325 B.C.); but it was the Jewish forces of Judas Maccabeus (in 164 B.C.), and John Hyrcanus (in 126 B.C.) which fully subjugated Edom.
Jews even compelled Edomites to submit to their religion. All 3 of these nations (Ammon, Moab and Edom), have disappeared as separate nations into the Arab peoples.
In all of these that were against Israel, we will see the fulfillment of the promise God made to Abraham. The following Scripture says God will curse those who curse Abraham. This includes his descendants.
Genesis 12:3 "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."
This is a fulfillment. God will destroy them for their hatred of Israel.
Ezekiel 25:15 "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;"
The Philistines were very much like the Edomites. They were the natural enemy of Israel. Again, Israel's enemies are God's enemies.
The reason for their judgment was perpetual enmity, and vengefulness against Israel, which perpetuated the “old hatred” from as far back (as Judges chapters 13 to16). They constantly harassed and oppressed Israel until David broke their power during Saul’s reign. They repeatedly rose up and were subdued by Israel. Nebuchadnezzar invaded their land (in Jer. Chapter 47).
Ezekiel 25:16 "Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will stretch out mine hand upon the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethim, and destroy the remnant of the sea coast."
The Cherethim were the Philistines who dwelt in the southwest of Canaan. It really was another name for the Philistines. They originated in Crete and became part of the Philistine nation, with some serving in David’s bodyguard (2 Sam. 8:18; 15:18).
This is speaking of the widespread destruction of the Philistines on orders from God.
Ezekiel 25:17 "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."
The punishment on all the nations was so they would not doubt that God is God. The judgment was on Judah first because judgment begins at the house of God. We must be sure God will not overlook the heathen's sin any more than he will Israel's sin.
Ezekiel Chapter 25 Questions
1.Who was this prophecy spoken against?
2.Who were the Ammonites?
3.Why was God's anger kindled against the Ammonites?
4.Who would God deliver them to?
5.Who is this, probably, speaking of?
6.Who were "the men of the east" descended from?
7.What was "palaces" in verse 4 speaking of?
8.What was Rabbah?
9.What will it become?
10.They had __________ at the downfall of Jerusalem.
11.What does the "stretched out hand of God" speak of?
12.What is verse 9 speaking of?
13.What will happen to the Ammonites?
14.When does Moab's destruction occur?
15.Where did we deal with these destructions more fully?
16.Who founded Edom?
17.How old was Edom's hatred for Israel?
18.What promise had God made Abraham about his enemies?
19.Whose hand does God use to destroy Edom?
20.What is another name for the Philistines?
21.Where did they dwell?
22.What will all nations know, after God's punishment?