Chapter 787 of 1163

EZEKIEL 25

God’s judgment begins with God’s people (Ezek. 9:6). If they are judged for their sins, what will happen to those who do not know the Lord (1 Pet. 4:17–18)?

In chapters 25–32, Ezekiel described God’s judgment of the gentile nations surrounding Judah. The Jews had sinned against God’s love and law, but the gentile nations had sinned against God’s people. Note the repetition of “because”; God’s judgments are reasonable.

The Ammonites rejoiced at the fall of Judah and the captivity of the people (vv. 1–7), so God promised to destroy them. Moab (vv. 8–11) said that the Jews were like any other nation (20:32), which meant that Ammon had no reverence for Jehovah. He was just like the idols of the other nations! (See Ps. 115.)

The Edomites (vv. 12–14) actually helped the Babylonians instead of assisting the Jews, who were their relatives (Ps. 137:7; Obad. 11–14). The Philistines saw an opportunity to pay back an old debt and vent their hatred of God’s people.

Although Judah sinned, they were still the people of God. God will not defend our sins, but He will defend His people and allow no outsiders to touch us without His permission. God’s chastening is born out of His love, while man’s revenge is born out of hatred. That is why David prayed as he did in 2 Samuel 24:14.

“Restore Such a One”

When other believers are experiencing God’s chastening or are suffering the consequences of their sins, what is your attitude toward them? Do you pray for them and encourage them to seek the Lord and yield to His will, or do you add to their trials? Ponder Galatians 6:1–5, Hebrews 12:12–17, and Matthew 7:12.

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