Ezekiel

Ezekiel 25: God judges hostile nations

Begin in prayer

Before God's word turns to hostile nations, let us ask Him to search the way we respond to another person's loss. Ask Him for still hearts, His presence with this family and eyes to see Christ as we read Ezekiel 25.

She didn’t obey the voice. She didn’t receive correction. She didn’t trust in Yahweh. She didn’t draw near to her God.

Zephaniah 3:2

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Please help us understand Your just judgment and see the mercy sinners receive through Jesus Christ. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

God judges Ammon for rejoicing over His sanctuary's profaning, Israel's desolation and Judah's captivity. He will give it to people from the east and destroy it. Moab and Seir dismiss Judah as like other nations, and God will open Moab's cities to the eastern peoples. Edom's revenge brings the cutting off of people and animals, desolation and God's vengeance by Israel's hand. The Philistines' revenge and enduring hostility meet His judgment against them and the remnant of the coast. These nations will know that He is the LORD when His vengeance comes.

As you read Ezekiel 25, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God judges nations that rejoice over His people's ruin and take revenge against them.

The nations' reactions to Judah's ruin become reasons for their own judgment, because God hears their contempt and revenge. Ammon's delight reaches even the profaning of His sanctuary, turning another people's calamity into an occasion for spiteful celebration. The loss of its own land and Rabbah's use as a camel stable answer that cruel joy with humiliation. Moab and Seir dismiss Judah as merely another nation, denying the distinction of the people whose land God has judged. Edom and the Philistines seek revenge, and the LORD answers by announcing His own vengeance against them. His use of Israel against Edom places that punishment under His anger, as the prophecy expressly states. The repeated promise that they will know Him means these nations must face the Lord whose people they have despised.

How does Ezekiel 25 show us that God judges nations that rejoice over His people's ruin and take revenge against them?

God sees cruel delight in His people's ruin.

Ammon rejoices when the sanctuary is profaned and Judah goes into captivity (verses 1 to 7). God names its clapping and stamping in contempt. He will give it to the nations for plunder and destroy it.

God will answer contempt and revenge.

Moab dismisses Judah as like the other nations, and Edom takes revenge against her (verses 8 to 14). God opens Moab to invaders from the east. He cuts off people and animals from Edom and makes it desolate. His people Israel will execute His vengeance there.

God's judgment will make His name known.

The Philistines act from revenge and enduring hostility to destroy (verses 15 to 17). God stretches out His hand against them. His great vengeance will make them know that He is the LORD.

Memorize

I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes; and they shall know that I am Yahweh, when I shall lay my vengeance on them.

Ezekiel 25:17

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, when have I enjoyed someone's pain, and will I ask Jesus to forgive me?

Ammon rejoices over Judah's ruin, and God names the contempt of its heart. Against the nations' revenge, He declares, “I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes”. No nation stands beyond His judgment. Our own delight in another person's suffering is known to Him.

Jesus came to deliver His people from the wrath their sins deserve. He died in their place on the cross, bearing God's judgment against their guilt. By His death He obtained their salvation once for all, with nothing left unpaid. God raised Him to life, and He now calls guilty people to find mercy through Him.

Please turn from your sin and trust the risen Lord Jesus. Come to Him for forgiveness, even for the cruel desires you have hidden. He forgives those who come with repentant faith. Ask Him to teach you reverence for His judgment and compassion toward people whose suffering you have enjoyed.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God sees cruel hearts, and Jesus died and rose to save sinners who come to Him. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for judging cruelty and offering mercy through His Son, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

The nations were angry, and your wrath came, as did the time for the dead to be judged, and to give your bondservants the prophets, their reward, as well as to the saints, and those who fear your name, to the small and the great; and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”

Revelation 11:18

Lord, thank You for seeing cruelty and judging with justice. Forgive our spite and the pleasure we take in another person's trouble, and help each one repent and trust Jesus. Please change our hearts so that we honor You and care for people we have despised. Amen.