Proclamation Against Israel’s Enemies
March 25, 2022
Commentary
These four nations (Ammon, Moab, Edom & Philistia) were geographically closer and historically more intimately connected with direct and open hostility to Israel. The prophecies should probably be dated after the destruction of Jerusalem. These nations were a constant threat to Israel’s restoration. We can visualize the prophet as he stands imaginatively in the ruins of the city and makes a semicircle in his thrust of prophetic messages. Beginning with Ammon, he moves in a clockwise motion and finishes with the message against Philistia.
The Ammonites and Moabites were the descendants of the two sons of Lot by the incestuous relationship with his daughters (Gen. 19:30-38). Fellowship between them and Israel was strained for centuries. There were frequent conflicts and wars. Ezekiel is definite in specifying their actual sin. It was the destruction of the Temple when Jerusalem was sacked in 586 b.c. Edom was actually more closely kin to Israel than Moab or Ammon. The inhabitants were descendants of Esau, brother of Jacob. Herod the Great of New Testament days was an Edomite.
Most scholars believe the Philistines came from Crete about 1500 b.c. They were non-Semitic and became the perpetual enemies of Israel. Their country was about fifty miles long on the western coast of Palestine. They lived mainly in five fortified cities (Gaza, Gath, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Ekron) and were a constant menace to the Israelites. The prophet is not quite as definite concerning their fate as that of the others. He does, however, make it clear they will be extinguished. The verdict of history is that no group of people can oppose God and his purpose without suffering dire consequences. There is a moral law within the universe which guarantees evil will be destroyed. Sin contains within it the germ of its own self-destruction. Evil must be destroyed. The world must come to know and recognize God’s presence and his eventual triumph over all entrenched evil.
Application
“Vengeance is mine saith the Lord.” I never want to be a person who tries to get even.
Ezekiel 25:8– 17 (NET)
8 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Moab and Seir say, “Look, the house of Judah is like all the other nations.” 9 So look, I am about to open up Moab’s flank, eliminating the cities, including its frontier cities, the beauty of the land—Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon, and Kiriathaim. 10 I will hand it over, along with the Ammonites, to the tribes of the east, so that the Ammonites will no longer be remembered among the nations. 11 I will execute judgments against Moab. Then they will know that I am the Lord.’”
12 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘Edom has taken vengeance against the house of Judah; they have made themselves fully culpable by taking vengeance on them. 13 So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will stretch out my hand against Edom, and I will kill the people and animals within her, and I will make her desolate; from Teman to Dedan they will die by the sword. 14 I will exact my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel. They will carry out in Edom my anger and rage; they will experience my vengeance, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”
15 “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘The Philistines have exacted merciless revenge, showing intense scorn in their effort to destroy Judah with unrelenting hostility. 16 So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Take note, I am about to stretch out my hand against the Philistines. I will kill the Kerethites and destroy those who remain on the seacoast. 17 I will exact great vengeance upon them with angry rebukes. Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I exact my vengeance upon them.’”