Eze 25:7 | KingComments | STEP | With this chapter begins a new section containing announcements of judgments on seven nations. This section, which covers Ezekiel 25-32, contains the prophecies about: 1. Ammon (Ezekiel 25:1-7) 2. Moab (Ezekiel 25:8-11) 3. Edom (Ezekiel 25:12-14) 4. Philistines (Ezekiel 25:15-17) 5. Tyre (Ezekiel 26:1-28:19) 6. Sidon (Ezekiel 28:20-26) 7. Egypt (Ezekiel 29-32) These chapters are a contrast to the previous chapters. In the previous chapters the LORD has sharply denounced the sins of Jerusalem. Now He is going to speak to other nations, nations that have watched the downfall of Jerusalem with great gloating. These nations are judged according to the LORD’s promise to Abraham: “The one who curses you I will curse” ( ; cf. ). These nations are not only full of gloating about Jerusalem, but also about the LORD. The LORD is most closely associated with His people. Among the nations, the connection with their gods is also present. In Ezekiel 25 there are four short prophecies concerning three brother nations of Israel (Ammonites, Moabites and Edomites) and a people claiming the land of Israel (Philistines). Each time, the LORD gives the reason for His judgment with the words “because” and “therefore” ( ). The conclusion is always the same: they will know that He is the LORD ( ). Also, it is a consolation to the faithful remnant among the exiles, for they see in the judgment of their enemies that the LORD does not forget His people. The word of the LORD comes to Ezekiel ( ). He is to set his face toward the Ammonites and prophesy against them ( ). The phrase “son of man, set your face” occurs only in Ezekiel ( ). By setting his face toward them, he sees sharply who it is about. The Ammonites are related to Israel through their descent from Lot, Abraham’s nephew ( ). They live on the east side of the Jordan and have always had a hostile attitude toward Israel. Ezekiel is to call on the Ammonites to listen to the word of the Lord GOD ( ). The LORD is also the God of the Ammonites, even though they do not acknowledge Him and serve Milcom and Chemosh ( ; ). The LORD is the God of the nations, even though they want nothing to do with Him ( ). But God never gives up His rights. Every nation will have to give an account before Him one day. The Ammonites loudly rejoiced over the destruction of the temple and over the destruction of the land of Judah and over the taking away of the inhabitants of Judah into exile. In their foolish, idolatrous mindset, they assumed that with the removal of the inhabitants of Judah, the power of the God of Israel was broken. The LORD will make them feel that they are dealing with a God Who does discipline His people, but also disciplines those who rejoice about that ( ). The Ammonites will be delivered as prey to “the sons of the east”, which are Arab and Syrian Bedouin tribes. These will rule over them, eat their fruit and drink their milk. Their capital Rabbah will be destroyed ( ). Instead of people, animals will find a resting place there. Rabbah will become a grazing place for camels and a resting place for small livestock. When the Ammonites will see this, they will be forced to acknowledge that He, the God of Israel, is the LORD. The LORD mentions another reason for the judgment. That is their gloating over all that has come upon the land of Israel ( ). Gloating is an extremely sad and reprehensible form of entertainment. The Ammonites expressed it in an exuberant way, with clapping their hands and stamping their feet. The LORD sees that it comes from deep within them. He sees their hearts and what dwells therein. Therefore He will stretch out His hand in judgment against them and give them for spoil to the nations ( ). He will Himself “cut” them “off”, “make them perish” and “destroy” them so that they will have no place among the nations and lands. It is an additional underscore of the undeniable fact that He is the LORD.

‏ Ezekiel 25:7

Introduction

With this chapter begins a new section containing announcements of judgments on seven nations. This section, which covers Ezekiel 25-32, contains the prophecies about:

1. Ammon (Ezekiel 25:1-7)

2. Moab (Ezekiel 25:8-11)

3. Edom (Ezekiel 25:12-14)

4. Philistines (Ezekiel 25:15-17)

5. Tyre (Ezekiel 26:1-28:19)

6. Sidon (Ezekiel 28:20-26)

7. Egypt (Ezekiel 29-32)

These chapters are a contrast to the previous chapters. In the previous chapters the LORD has sharply denounced the sins of Jerusalem. Now He is going to speak to other nations, nations that have watched the downfall of Jerusalem with great gloating. These nations are judged according to the LORD’s promise to Abraham: “The one who curses you I will curse” (Gen 12:3a; cf. Mt 25:41-45). These nations are not only full of gloating about Jerusalem, but also about the LORD. The LORD is most closely associated with His people. Among the nations, the connection with their gods is also present.

In Ezekiel 25 there are four short prophecies concerning three brother nations of Israel (Ammonites, Moabites and Edomites) and a people claiming the land of Israel (Philistines). Each time, the LORD gives the reason for His judgment with the words “because” and “therefore” (Eze 25:3-4 ; 6-7 ; 8-9 ; 12-13 ; 15-16). The conclusion is always the same: they will know that He is the LORD (Eze 25:5 ; 7 ; 11 ; 17). Also, it is a consolation to the faithful remnant among the exiles, for they see in the judgment of their enemies that the LORD does not forget His people.

Judgment on Ammon

The word of the LORD comes to Ezekiel (Eze 25:1). He is to set his face toward the Ammonites and prophesy against them (Eze 25:2). The phrase “son of man, set your face” occurs only in Ezekiel (Eze 6:2 ; Eze 13:17 ; Eze 20:46 ; Eze 21:2 ; Eze 25:2 ; Eze 28:21 ; Eze 29:2 ; Eze 35:2 ; Eze 38:2). By setting his face toward them, he sees sharply who it is about. The Ammonites are related to Israel through their descent from Lot, Abraham’s nephew (Gen 19:36-38). They live on the east side of the Jordan and have always had a hostile attitude toward Israel.

Ezekiel is to call on the Ammonites to listen to the word of the Lord GOD (Eze 25:3). The LORD is also the God of the Ammonites, even though they do not acknowledge Him and serve Milcom and Chemosh (Jdg 11:24; 1Kgs 11:5 ; 7 ; 33). The LORD is the God of the nations, even though they want nothing to do with Him (Rom 3:29). But God never gives up His rights. Every nation will have to give an account before Him one day.

The Ammonites loudly rejoiced over the destruction of the temple and over the destruction of the land of Judah and over the taking away of the inhabitants of Judah into exile. In their foolish, idolatrous mindset, they assumed that with the removal of the inhabitants of Judah, the power of the God of Israel was broken.

The LORD will make them feel that they are dealing with a God Who does discipline His people, but also disciplines those who rejoice about that (Eze 25:4). The Ammonites will be delivered as prey to “the sons of the east”, which are Arab and Syrian Bedouin tribes. These will rule over them, eat their fruit and drink their milk.

Their capital Rabbah will be destroyed (Eze 25:5). Instead of people, animals will find a resting place there. Rabbah will become a grazing place for camels and a resting place for small livestock. When the Ammonites will see this, they will be forced to acknowledge that He, the God of Israel, is the LORD.

The LORD mentions another reason for the judgment. That is their gloating over all that has come upon the land of Israel (Eze 25:6). Gloating is an extremely sad and reprehensible form of entertainment. The Ammonites expressed it in an exuberant way, with clapping their hands and stamping their feet. The LORD sees that it comes from deep within them. He sees their hearts and what dwells therein.

Therefore He will stretch out His hand in judgment against them and give them for spoil to the nations (Eze 25:7). He will Himself “cut” them “off”, “make them perish” and “destroy” them so that they will have no place among the nations and lands. It is an additional underscore of the undeniable fact that He is the LORD.