Scripture reading – Ezekiel 25; Ezekiel 26
Ezekiel 25 introduces us to the third segment in our study of Ezekiel’s prophecies. We have considered the following so far: I. The Call and Commission of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:1-3:27); II. The Coming Judgment of Judah and Jerusalem (Ezekiel 4:1-24:27). Ezekiel 25 marks the beginning of a third section: The Coming Judgment of the Nations (Ezekiel 25:1-32:32).
Ezekiel 25
Because the LORD is jealous of His people, we should not be surprised the main adversaries of Israel were identified in Ezekiel 25 as the focus of His judgment. Seeing the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, the heathen nations rejoiced in the sorrows and sufferings of Judah, even as they were led away captive. Despite their sins, the LORD took no pleasure in judging Jerusalem and Judah, and He despised the heathen for rejoicing in the sorrows of His people.
The Judgment of the Ammonites (Ezekiel 25:1-7)
The Ammonites were descendants of Lot’s incest with his youngest daughter, following the destruction of Sodom (Genesis 19:36, 38). They were perpetual enemies of Israel (Ezekiel 25:3). They cheered the destruction of the Temple (Ezekiel 25:3). Therefore, the LORD determined to destroy Rabbah, the capital of Ammon, and make it “a stable for camels…a couchingplace for flocks” (Ezekiel 25:4-5). Because the Ammonites clapped their hands and stamped their feet in delight when Jerusalem was destroyed (Ezekiel 25:6), God pronounced that Ammon would be destroyed and cease to exist as a nation (Ezekiel 25:7).
The Judgment of the Moabites (Ezekiel 25:8-11)
The Moabites were descendants of Lot’s incestuous relationship with his eldest daughter (Genesis 19:36-37). Like the Ammonites, the Moabites delighted in the destruction of Jerusalem. They mocked and said, “The house of Judah is like unto all the heathen (Ezekiel 25:8). Remembering how Moab united with Babylon against Judah (2 Kings 24:2), we read that they too would go the way of Ammon. Therefore, the LORD declared, “I will execute judgments upon Moab; and they shall know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 25:11).
The Judgment of the Edomites (Ezekiel 25:12-14)
The Edomites were of Esau’s lineage (Genesis 36:11) and had a long history of anger, bitterness, and revenge against Israel. The prophet Obadiah condemned them for their brutality (Obadiah 1:13-15). Because Edom oppressed Israel for centuries, the LORD declared that He would punish them (note – Numbers 20:14-22; 2 Chronicles 20:8-21). Fulfilling Obadiah’s prophecies, the LORD determined to take vengeance on Edom (Ezekiel 25:15; Obadiah 1:8).
The Judgment of the Philistines (Ezekiel 25:15-17)
Like the Edomites, the Philistines had a long history of distressing Israel and took pleasure in the sufferings and sorrows of God’s people. Ezekiel foretold that the Philistine cities along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea would be destroyed, as the LORD executed vengeance on them.
One could ask why the LORD would “execute great vengeance upon” the heathen nations. So that they would know that the God of Israel is LORD (Ezekiel 25:5, 7, 11, 14, 17).
Ezekiel 26
The Prophecy of the Destruction of Tyrus (i.e., Tyre; Ezekiel 26:1-6)
The focus of Ezekiel 26 is entirely upon Tyrus (i.e., Tyre), the capital of Phoenicia. Tyrus was an essential seaport for commerce, and half of that great city was established on the mainland, while the other half was built on an island off the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Like other nations, the LORD’s wrath was stirred against the citizens of Tyrus who took pleasure in the destruction of Jerusalem (Ezekiel 26:2). The people of Tyrus were noted to have boasted in their greed that they would “be replenished” [i.e., enriched] by Jerusalem’s fall (Ezekiel 26:2).
As with the other nations, the LORD set Himself against Tyrus and commanded Ezekiel to prophesy against that city (Ezekiel 26:3). Because Tyrus was built on an island, the people were confident that their great fortress would make them invincible to Nebuchadnezzar’s army which depended on horses and chariots. Babylon conquered the coastal portion of Tyrus; however, the island seaport escaped Nebuchadnezzar’s grasp.
Ezekiel, however, foretold that Tyrus would experience waves of attacks as nations lusted for the wealth of that great city (Ezekiel 26:3). Nevertheless, the prophet foretold that Tyrus’ defenses would one day be leveled and became a place for fisherman to spread their nets (Ezekiel 26:4-5).
Ezekiel 26:6 foretold that the “daughters” of Tyrus (i.e., the inland cities of the empire along the Mediterranean coast), would be “slain by the sword; and they shall know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 26:6). Tyrus was a formidable fortress, however, thirteen years after the siege began, Nebuchadnezzar’s army overwhelmed and conquered the city in 573 BC.
The Destruction of Tyrus (Ezekiel 26:7-14)
History provides us with a summation of the fall of Tyrus. In 332 BC, Alexander the Great took the ruins of the cities Greece conquered on the mainland and built a causeway from the coastline to the isle where Tyrus was established (Ezekiel 26:7-15). Alexander’s army then crossed the sea, taking with them their “engines of war,” and breached the walls of Tyrus (Ezekiel 26:12). Fulfilling Ezekiel’s prophecy, the songs and harps of Tyrus were stilled, and the city fell silent (Ezekiel 26:13-14).
The Effect of Tyrus’ Destruction on Its Neighbors (Ezekiel 26:15-21)
The kings of neighboring states trembled in astonishment (Ezekiel 26:16), and lamented the destruction of Tyrus (Ezekiel 26:17). Once believed to be invincible, Tyrus was destroyed and “the pit” [i.e., hell; Sheol; note Isaiah 14:9] received the wicked of that city (Ezekiel 26:20-21).
Closing thoughts –
I close today’s study by reminding myself that “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Tyrus’s wealth could not save the citizens of that city from God’s eternal judgment. So it is today, for salvation and the forgiveness of sins is through Christ alone. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Copyright © 2024 – Travis D. Smith
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