Thought from today’s Bible reading from Ezekiel 24-27.
After prophesying about judgment against God’s people for their sins, Ezekiel reveals the coming divine judgment against the surrounding nations. In Ezekiel 25, the prophet mentions four nations: Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia. In each instance, he explains why judgment was coming.
“And say to the sons of Ammon, ‘Hear the word of the Lord God! Thus says the Lord God, “Because you said, ‘Aha!’ against My sanctuary when it was profaned, and against the land of Israel when it was made desolate, and against the house of Judah when they went into exile, therefore, behold, I am going to give you to the sons of the east for a possession…”‘” (Ezekiel 25:3-4).
“‘Thus says the Lord God, “Because Moab and Seir say, ‘Behold the house of Judah is like all the nations,’ therefore, behold, I am going to deprive the flank of Moab of its cities…and I will give it for a possession along with the sons of Ammon to the sons of the east…”‘” (Ezekiel 25:8-10).“‘Thus says the Lord God, “Because Edom has acted against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and has incurred grievous guilt, and avenged themselves upon them,” therefore thus says the Lord God, “I will also stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off man and beast from it…”‘” (Ezekiel 25:12-13).
“‘Thus says the Lord God, “Because the Philistines have acted in revenge and have taken vengeance with scorn of soul to destroy with everlasting enmity,” therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I will stretch out My hand against the Philistines…”‘” (Ezekiel 25:15-16).
There were three sins singled out among these four nations as being reasons for God bringing punishment upon them.
- Rejoicing when evil was done, as the sons of Ammon did when the sanctuary was profaned, Israel was made desolate, and Judah was taken into exile. We are not to “rejoice in unrighteousness, but…with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6).
- Believing that God’s people are no different from the world, as the sons of Moab did when they said Judah was like all the nations. We are to recognize that God’s people are distinct – “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession” (1 Peter 2:9) – and must act that way.
- Taking their own vengeance, as the Edomites and Philistines both had done. Christians are told, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19).
These nations were punished for these sins. As noted above, these sins are also condemned in the New Testament. Therefore, let us avoid these mistakes so that we do not incur the wrath of God in the final judgment.
Tomorrow’s reading: Ezekiel 28-31
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
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