Ezekiel 25

Ezekiel 25 describes the four neighboring Gentile nations that would face God’s judgment.

The Ammonites would be judged because they were overjoyed when The Temple of God was defiled (Ezekiel 25:1-7).

The Moabites because they did not recognize Judah as God’s chosen people and They said “Hey, Judah is just like one of us now.”. They found pleasure in Judah’s wickedness (Ezekiel 25:8-11)

The Edomites because of their racial hatred for the Jews (Ezekiel 25:12-14), although they were blood brothers of the Jews, both nations having descended from Isaac (Genesis 25:19-26). The Edomites hated Israel so much that they rejoiced when Jerusalem was destroyed. Teman was in the northern part of Edom and Dedan was in the southern part of Edom. Thus, Ezekiel was saying that the entire country would be destroyed.

And the Philistines because they sought vengeance against Judah for defeating them in battle (Ezekiel 25:15-17).

In general, God punished the neighboring nations because their heart was not in the right place. They rejoiced when things went badly for Judah.

Have you ever wished bad things to happen to your “enemies''? There is a saying “Be careful what you wish for.” Or have you ever had evil thoughts or overjoyed when you saw your “enemy” in trouble?

Let us be careful with having such evil thoughts, because God might punish you for that as well.

The Lord teaches His children not to seek vengeance, but to love and forgive our enemies (Matthew 5:44), because vengeance belongs to the Lord (Romans 12:19). He will bring His perfect judgment and justice in due time, and the righteous people will enjoy His eternal blessings. Amen.