Ezekiel 25:15 ” ‘This is what the Lord Yahveh says: Because the Philistines acted in vengeance and took revenge triflingly in their throat, destroying because of their perpetual hatred, Ezekiel 25:16 therefore this is what the Lord Yahveh says: notice I am about to stick out my hand against the Philistines, cutting off the Cherethites and wiping out what remains of the coastal peoples. Ezekiel 25:17 I will execute extreme vengeance against them with furious rebukes. They will know that I am Yahveh when I take my vengeance on them.'”
because of their perpetual hatred
Greenhill remarks that “the Philistines had perpetual enmity against (the Jews) and upon all occasions manifested it.” Each generation they renewed their feud with their hated enemies, keeping it strong. That kind of bigotry and prolonged hatred destroys the ones possessing it.*
LORD, teach us to love our enemies and let you handle their judgment.
*Greenhill, William, and James Sherman. An exposition of the prophet Ezekiel, with useful observations thereupon. (London: S. Holdsworth, 1839) p. 594.
Ezekiel 25:12 ” ‘This is what the Lord Yahveh says: Because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah and incurred grievous guilt by taking revenge on them, Ezekiel 25:13 therefore this is what the Lord Yahveh says: I will stick out my hand against Edom and cut off both man and animal from it. I will make it a wasteland; they will fall by the sword from Teman to Dedan. Ezekiel 25:14 I will take my vengeance on Edom through my people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to my anger and wrath. So they will know my vengeance. This is the declaration of the Lord Yahveh.
through my people
Clarke+ includes this commentary: “By the hand of my people Israel — This was fulfilled by the Maccabees, who not only defeated them and brought them under complete subjection but obliged them to receive circumcision, Joseph. Antiq. l. xiii., c. 17; 1Macc 5:65; 2Macc 10:16.”
God is true to his word. If he says he is going to bring the good news through his people today, we can trust him to do that.
Ezekiel 25:8 ” ‘This is what the Lord Yahveh says: Because Moab and Seir said, “Notice, the house of Judah is like all the other nations.” Ezekiel 25:9 Therefore I am about to expose Moab’s flank beginning with its frontier cities, the splendor of the land: Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon, and Kiriathaim. Ezekiel 25:10 I will give it along with Ammon to the people of the east as a possession so that Ammon will not be remembered among the nations. Ezekiel 25:11 So I will execute judgments against Moab, and they will know that I am Yahveh.
exposure
Moab’s punishment for gloating over Judah’s fate was to experience an even worse fate. Both Moab and Ammon would become the prey of larger nations, and absorbed into them to such an extent that they no longer existed as ethnolinguistic people groups.
Redpath writes that the prophecy “had its first fulfillment in the subjugation of these peoples soon after the overthrow of Jerusalem by Nebuchadrezzar.”*
Eventually, both of these nations ceased to exist. They literally are no longer remembered among the nations. Such is the punishment for gloating over the misfortunes of God’s people.
LORD, give us compassion for all nations, and all peoples.
________________
*Redpath, Henry A. The Book of Prophet Ezekiel. (London: Methuen & Co, 1907), p.131.
Ezekiel 25:1 Then the word of Yahveh happened to me. This is what it said: Ezekiel 25:2 “Son of Adam, face the Ammonites and prophesy against them. Ezekiel 25:3 Say to the Ammonites, ‘Listen to the word of the Lord Yahveh: This is what the Lord Yahveh says: Because you said, “Aha!” about my sanctuary when it was desecrated, about the land of Israel when it was laid waste, and about the house of Judah when they went into exile, Ezekiel 25:4 therefore, notice I am about to give you to the people of the east as a possession. They will set up their encampments and pitch their tents among you. They will eat your fruit and drink your milk. Ezekiel 25:5 I will make Rabbah a pasture for camels and Ammon a resting place for sheep. Then you will know that I am Yahveh. Ezekiel 25:6 ” ‘You see, this is what the Lord Yahveh says: Because you clapped your hands, stamped your feet, and rejoiced with all the contempt of your throat over the land of Israel, Ezekiel 25:7 therefore, notice I am about to stick out my hand against you and give you as plunder to the nations. I will cut you off from the people and eliminate you from the countries. I will exterminate you, and you will know that I am Yahveh.
the Ammonites watched
The Ammonites watched as Jerusalem faced destruction, the temple was desecrated and the inhabitants of Judah went into exile. They gloated over the misfortune of their distant relatives. But while they watched and cheered, God was watching them. Their judgment was coming. They will be cut off, eliminated, exterminated.
Then they will know? How are they going to know if they are dead? They will know that Yahveh brought this punishment upon them. They will realize that although Judah suffered, their God was real.
LORD, remove from us the joy of watching our enemies fail. Give us your compassion for all who suffer, and a commitment to be true to our faith in you.
Ezekiel 24:25 “As for you, son of Adam, know that on that day I will take from them their stronghold – their pride and joy, the delight of their eyes, and the longing of their throats – as well as their sons and daughters. Ezekiel 24:26 On that day a fugitive will come to you and report the news. Ezekiel 24:27 On that day your mouth will be opened to talk with him; you will speak and no longer be mute. So you will be a sign for them, and they will know that I am Yahveh.”
when the news breaks
Ezekiel knew about the destruction of Jerusalem before it happened. In fact, he knew that he would hear the news of it happening from an escaped fugitive. The LORD told him to prepare for that day because when the news breaks, people would want to hear God’s word from him.
The news is breaking all around us, folks. Are we prepared to share the gospel, or are we just as clueless when the crisis comes?
LORD, ground us in your gospel truth so that when the next disaster happens, we are ready to share our hope with a world looking for hope.
Ezekiel 24:19 Then the people asked me, “Won’t you tell us what these things you are doing mean for us?” Ezekiel 24:20 So I answered them: “The word of Yahveh happened to me. This is what it said: Ezekiel 24:21 Say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what the Lord Yahveh says: notice I am about to desecrate my sanctuary, the pride of your power, the delight of your eyes, and the desire of your throat. Also, the sons and daughters you left behind will fall by the sword. Ezekiel 24:22 Then you will do just as I have done: You will not cover your mustache or eat the bread of mourners. Ezekiel 24:23 Your turbans will remain on your heads and your sandals on your feet. You will not lament or weep but will waste away because of your iniquities and will groan to one another. Ezekiel 24:24 Now Ezekiel will be a sign for you. You will do everything that he has done. When this happens, you will know that I am the Lord Yahveh.’
the prophet a prophecy
In Ezekiel’s case, the prophet became a prophecy. He had lost his wife and children, but the LORD instructed him to go on without visible mourning. His heart must have certainly been broken inside. But he had to proceed with business as usual. Only when the people stopped to ask did he reveal the purpose for this bizarre normalcy.
The city was going to be destroyed, along with the temple. Disaster would be everywhere, but there would be no time for mourning. Before it happened, they would see it first in the activity of the prophet.
Jesus told his followers that they are the light of the world. Those watching believers in Christ should get a sense of what God is going to do next. Their lives should reveal the heart of their master.
Sadly, the church today spends far too much effort trying to look like everyone else. Where are our prophets — our living prophecies?
LORD, make us lights who reveal you to a watching world.
Ezekiel 24:15 Then the word of Yahveh happened to me. This is what it said: Ezekiel 24:16 “Son of Adam, notice I am about to take the delight of your eyes away from you with a fatal blow. But you must not lament or weep or let your tears flow. Ezekiel 24:17 Groan quietly; do not observe mourning rites for the dead. Put on your turban and strap your sandals on your feet; do not cover your mustache or eat the bread of mourners.” Ezekiel 24:18 I spoke to the people in the morning, and my wife died in the evening. The next morning I did just as I was commanded.
what he feels
Ezekiel faces his greatest challenge. The LORD tells him his wife will die, and he is not to show mourning! What? LORD, how can you require any such thing of your servant? But wait, the LORD is suffering the same pain. The delight of his eyes is suffering and dying before him. Yet he must remain aloof.
LORD, forgive us for questioning the sufferings faced by your servants. We know that nothing we feel compares to what you feel.
Ezekiel 24:6 ” ‘Therefore, this is what the Lord Yahveh says: Tragedy to the city of bloodshed, the pot that has rust inside it, and its rust has not come out of it! Empty it piece by piece; lots should not be cast for its contents. Ezekiel 24:7 For the blood she shed is still within her. She put it out on the bare rock; she didn’t pour it on the ground to cover it with dust. Ezekiel 24:8 In order to stir up wrath and take vengeance, I have put her blood on the bare rock, so that it would not be covered. Ezekiel 24:9 ” ‘Therefore, this is what the Lord Yahveh says: Tragedy to the city of bloodshed! I myself will make the pile of kindling large. Ezekiel 24:10 Pile on the logs and kindle the fire! Cook the meat well and mix in the spices! Let the bones be burned! Ezekiel 24:11 Set the empty pot on its coals so that it becomes hot and its copper glows. Then its impurity will melt inside it; its rust will be consumed. Ezekiel 24:12 It has frustrated every effort; its thick rust will not come off. Into the fire with its rust! Ezekiel 24:13 Because of the infamy of your uncleanness – since I tried to purify you, but you would not be purified from your uncleanness– you will not be pure again until I have satisfied my wrath on you. Ezekiel 24:14 I, Yahveh, have spoken. It is coming, and I will do it! I will not refrain, I will not look compassionately, and I will not relent. I will judge you according to your ways and deeds. This is the declaration of the Lord Yahveh.'”
it is coming, and he will do it
Kelly* describes the first major part of Ezekiel this way:
“The structure of the book is evident. The first half consists of prophecies in strict chronological order before the final destruction of Jerusalem, when Zedekiah brought on himself the just punishment of his rebellion and perjury. ( Chaps. i -xxiv.) .”
We are nearing the end of this first part. It makes sense that we would hear from the LORD here his assurance that “It is coming, and I will do it!” (14). History records that he did just that.
For a very long time now, we have been proclaiming the literal, visible glorious return of our Savior to judge and renew this planet. Just as there were many who were convinced that Ezekiel’s prediction of the destruction of Jerusalem would not happen, so many today are convinced that Christ’s second coming is folklore. It is not. It is coming, and he will do it.
LORD, give us the wisdom to prepare for your coming in the clouds.
________
*Kelly, William. Notes on Ezekiel. (London: G. Morrish, 1876), p.5.
Ezekiel 24:1 The word of Yahveh happened to me in the ninth year, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month. This is what it said: Ezekiel 24:2 “Son of Adam, write down today’s date, this very day. The king of Babylon has laid siege to Jerusalem this very day. Ezekiel 24:3 Now speak a parable to the rebellious house. Tell them, ‘This is what the Lord Yahveh says: Put the pot on the fire – put it on, and then pour water into it! Ezekiel 24:4 Place the pieces of meat in it, every good piece – thigh and shoulder. Fill it with the best bones. Ezekiel 24:5 Take the best of the flock and also pile up the fuel under it. Bring it to a boil and cook the bones in it.
today’s direction
The unacceptable had happened. When the city was under attack, God was not there to rescue them, because he was the force behind the attack.
Each day we are walking toward a day like that, or away from it. Each day matters. What will we do today that turns us in the right direction?
LORD, help us to turn from sin and toward you. May our lives be consistently faithful to you.
Ezekiel 23:43 Then I said concerning this woman worn out by adultery: Will they now have illicit sex with her, even her? Ezekiel 23:44 Yet they had sex with her as one does with a prostitute. This is how they had sex with Oholah and Oholibah, those depraved women. Ezekiel 23:45 But righteous men will judge them the way adulteresses and those who shed blood are judged because they are adulteresses and blood is on their hands. Ezekiel 23:46 “This is what the Lord Yahveh says: Summon a mob against them and consign them to terror and plunder. Ezekiel 23:47 The mob will stone them and cut them down with their swords. They will kill their sons and daughters and burn their houses. Ezekiel 23:48 So I will put an end to infamy in the land, and all the women will be admonished not to imitate your depraved behavior. Ezekiel 23:49 They will punish you for your infamy, and you will bear the consequences for your failures of idolatry. Then you will know that I am the Lord Yahveh.”
condemnation or compassion?
How does one reconcile this passage with that describing our Lord’s compassionate treatment of the adulterous woman in John 8?
Jesus chose not to condemn the woman but warned her to “Go, and from now on do not sin anymore” (John 8:11).
But Ezekiel was not talking about a woman caught in adultery. He was talking about two nations steeped in idolatry. The condemnation he predicted was just and was fulfilled in history.
Further, both incidents — Ezekiel’s condemnation and Jesus’ forgiveness — result in the same thing: “Then you will know that I am the Lord Yahveh.”
We cannot always predict how our LORD is going to react, but we can be assured that his action will be just, and we will recognize his touch.
Devotions 