Tags

, , , , , ,

Ezekiel is told of Jerusalem’s fall then he prophesies over Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon and Egypt: Ezekiel 33:21–33; Ezekiel 25–28

Rejoicing at the fall of Jerusalem was not a good move for the surrounding nations.

It’s an example of a proverb in action: don’t rejoice when your enemy falls, lest God turns His anger away from them and back onto you.

Ezekiel foretold the fate of these gloating neighbours, one after the other, or that’s how it’s been recorded. (We know nothing of the timing of these words from the Lord, other than their being after Jerusalem fell – they could have been days, weeks, or years apart.)

It would be bad for Ammon:

Because you cheered when my Temple was defiled, mocked Israel in her desolation, and laughed at Judah as she went away into exile, I will allow nomads from the eastern deserts to overrun your country.

For Moab:

Ezekiel 25:8-9Because the people of Moab have said that Judah is just like all the other nations, I will open up their eastern flank and wipe out their glorious frontier towns

For Edom:

Ezekiel 25:12-13 The people of Edom have sinned greatly by avenging themselves against the people of Judah. Therefore, says the Sovereign Lord, I will raise my fist of judgment against Edom.

For Philistia:

Ezekiel 25:15-13 The people of Philistia have acted against Judah out of bitter revenge and long-standing contempt. Therefore, … I will wipe out the Kerethites and utterly destroy the people who live by the sea.

And for Tyre:

Ezekiel 26:2 … Tyre has rejoiced over the fall of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Ha! She who was the gateway to the rich trade routes to the east has been broken, and I am the heir! Because she has been made desolate, I will become wealthy!’

And the consequence for Tyre was devastating (metaphorically as well):

Ezekiel 26:3, 13-14 I am your enemy, O Tyre, and I will bring many nations against you, like the waves of the sea crashing against your shoreline. … 13-14 I will stop the music of your songs. No more will the sound of harps be heard among your people. I will make your island a bare rock, a place for fishermen to spread their nets. You will never be rebuilt, for I, the Lord, have spoken. Yes, the Sovereign Lord has spoken!