Ezekiel 25, Judgment on Ammon, Moab, Edom and Philistia

The first 24 chapters of Ezekiel have dealt with Yahweh’s judgment against Israel, climaxing with the actual siege against Jerusalem by Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar. Now Ezekiel’s prophecies against other nations are given in chapters 25-33. These are not presented in any chronological order that is mentioned, at least. Ezekiel has dealt with what is most important first. In these next chapters he will deal with what the nations deserve for their wickedness, because whoever curses Israel will be cursed (Genesis 12:3). Finally, in chapters 34-48 he will relate the prophecies that give hope to Israel.

1 The word of Yahweh came to me: 2 “Son of man, set your face against the Ammonites and prophesy against them. 3 Say to them, ‘Hear the word of the Sovereign Yahweh. This is what the Sovereign Yahweh says: Because you said “Aha!” over my sanctuary when it was desecrated and over the land of Israel when it was laid waste and over the people of Judah when they went into exile, 4 therefore I am going to give you to the people of the East as a possession. They will set up their camps and pitch their tents among you; they will eat your fruit and drink your milk. 5 I will turn Rabbah into a pasture for camels and Ammon into a resting place for sheep. Then you will know that I am Yahweh. 6 For this is what the Sovereign Yahweh says: Because you have clapped your hands and stamped your feet, rejoicing with all the malice of your heart against the land of Israel, 7 therefore I will stretch out my hand against you and give you as plunder to the nations. I will wipe you out from among the nations and exterminate you from the countries. I will destroy you, and you will know that I am Yahweh.’”

What does Yahweh mean by giving Ammon over to the people of the East? Ellicott remarks:

Literally, sons of the east, i.e., the various nomadic tribes inhabiting the Eastern deserts, who occupy the country to this day. They are described as its possessors, not its conquerors; the conquest was effected by Nebuchadnezzar. In Ezekiel 21:20-23 he was represented as hesitating whether to attack first Judah or Ammon, and determined to the former by the Divine direction; in this attack some of the Ammonites joined his army, but he nevertheless afterwards carried out his purpose and desolated their country.

Ammon is guilty of rejoicing over Israel’s demise. We are reminded of the rejoicing that took place among some foreign nations when Osama bin Laden’s “soldiers” were able to bring down the twin towers. We are not Israel and there is no promise of cursing for those who curse the United States, but it was wrong for them to rejoice at the deaths of so many. Perhaps we too have been guilty of such rejoicing at the misfortunes of those we consider our competitors or enemies.

8 “This is what the Sovereign Yahweh says: ‘Because Moab and Seir said, “Look, Judah has become like all the other nations,” 9 therefore I will expose the flank of Moab, beginning at its frontier towns—Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon and Kiriathaim—the glory of that land. 10 I will give Moab along with the Ammonites to the people of the East as a possession, so that the Ammonites will not be remembered among the nations; 11 and I will inflict punishment on Moab. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.’”

Ammon and Moab were relatives of Israel (see Genesis 19:30-38) but had become enemy nations through the centuries. Moab also rejoiced at Israel’s downfall. Both the nations were also idolatrous and believed that Israel’s fall to Babylon was because Israel’s God was incapable of protecting them. They needed to learn that Yahweh was the true God and that their god could not protect them from Yahweh’s judgment. .

12 “This is what the Sovereign Yahweh says: ‘Because Edom took revenge on Judah and became very guilty by doing so, 13 therefore this is what the Sovereign Yahweh says: I will stretch out my hand against Edom and kill both man and beast. I will lay it waste, and from Teman to Dedan they will fall by the sword. 14 I will take vengeance on Edom by the hand of my people Israel, and they will deal with Edom in accordance with my anger and my wrath; they will know my vengeance, declares the Sovereign Yahweh.’”

Edom is a relative of Israel (Jacob’s brother Esau was the founder of Edom). Edom had an even more active response to Israel’s defeat. Obadiah prophesies against Edom and accuses him saying “you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth” (Obadiah 11), rejoiced “in the day of their trouble,” (Obadiah 12), and “cut down their fugitives” as they fled (Obadiah 14). Yahweh says one day Israel will be the one who satisfies His vengeance against their brother Edom.

15 “This is what the Sovereign Yahweh says: ‘Because the Philistines acted in vengeance and took revenge with malice in their hearts, and with ancient hostility sought to destroy Judah, 16 therefore this is what the Sovereign Yahweh says: I am about to stretch out my hand against the Philistines, and I will wipe out the Kerethites and destroy those remaining along the coast. 17 I will carry out great vengeance on them and punish them in my wrath. Then they will know that I am Yahweh, when I take vengeance on them.’” (Ezekiel 25)

Philistia also engaged in battle against Israel. Theirs was an “ancient hostility.” Expositor’s notes: “Such continual hostility against Israel by Philistia had been demonstrated in its interaction with Samson (Jdg 13-16), Eli (1Sa 4), Saul (1Sa 13; 31), David (2Sa 5), Hezekiah (2Ki 18:8), Jehoram (2Ch 21:16-17), and Ahaz (2Ch 28:18).” Ezekiel has moved clockwise from northeast, direct east, and southeast (Ammon, Moab, and Edom) to the west (Philistia) in his pronouncement of judgment. God pays attention to all the nations, not just Israel.