A word of condemnation from the Lord

Text Ezekiel 25 Time 20/05/07 Place Childs Hill Baptist Church

Over recent months we have been looking at the Prophecy of Ezekiel and so far we have looked at the first 24 chapters. Now in those first 24 chapters Ezekiel is speaking exclusively to the Jewish exiles with him in Babylon. However, now for the next 6 chapters he turns from them to address the nations around Judah – Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia and then the Phoenicians of Tyre and the Egyptians at greater length.

This is a pattern we see in other prophets. Isaiah, for example, in Chapters 13-23, has a series of prophecies against the nations including Jerusalem too. Something similar is found in Jeremiah where at the end, in Chapters 46-51, there are prophecies about the nations. The Book of Amos begins with a series of judgements on Israel's neighbours – Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, Ammon, Moab and Judah itself.

So here is something interesting to start with. Even in the Old Testament, which is very much a Jewish book and very much focused on the Jews and their concerns, there is still plenty of room for prophecy to the nations around. The Old Testament has an international concern. This comes to fruition, of course, with the Day of Pentecost that we read about in Acts 2 and the beginning of the taking of the gospel into all the world.

Throughout the Bible we are reminded that this world is one world – made by God and populated by the descendants of Adam and Eve whom he made. At Babel the nations were divided but in Jerusalem on the day the Spirit was poured out they were reunited and one day there will be in heaven a great multitude that no one can count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They will be wearing white robes and ... holding palm branches in their hands. And crying out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.

God is concerned for every nation, for all the nations of the world and so should we be. One of the joys of being in London is its cosmopolitan nature. Just those of us here this morning were born in may be 9 or 10 different countries at least, all quite different, but God has something to say to us all and if we are believers we are one in Christ.

Now in Chapter 25 we have a series of four short prophecies - to Ammon, Moab, Edom and Philistia. Perhaps the first thing we need to do then is to remind ourselves of who these peoples are.

1, 2. Ammon and Moab were Canaanite nations to the east of Judah that both found their roots in the incest between Lot and his two daughters after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. There was a history of hostility towards Israel from the Ammonites and Moabites, who were specifically excluded from the assembly of the Lord in Moses' time. Although subdued under David and Solomon they had regained their independence again by the time of Ezekiel. The Ammonites are dealt with at slightly more length than the others here.

3. Edom was to the south of Judah and again there was a link with Israel in that the people were descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother. They had been subdued in the time of King Saul and King David but had again rebelled and were independent once more.

4. The Philistines are perhaps the best known of these four. Goliath was a Philistine you remember. They were based to the west of Judah bordering the Mediterranean Sea in the five cities of Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron and Gath. Originally from Crete, Cyprus and other islands, they unusually did not practice circumcision like others in the area. They were a thorn in Israel's side throughout the period of the Judges but were eventually subdued by Samson, Saul and David.

Now in each case we have a pattern here in the prophecies against these peoples

1. First, it is announced who is speaking – more elaborately at first and then more briefly.

2. Then their sin is described. In each case it is fairly similar.

3. Their doom is announced.

4. Finally, we have the repeated conclusion to the effect and you will know that I am the LORD.

Now none of us are Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites or Philistines this morning. Those peoples have all pretty much died out. However, just as God knew all about them and what they had done, so he knows all about us and what we do. And just as God pronounced judgements on these peoples so he is judging us and will reveal his judgements in due time.

Perhaps we can best get at the teaching here and apply it to ourselves then by going at these four elements in reverse order.

1. Consider God's great aim for you and me – that we may know that he is the LORD

In verses 5, 7, 11 and 16 we have a recurring phrase - Then you will know that I am the LORD or I will destroy you, and you will know that I am the LORD or Then they will know that I am the LORD or more fully Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I take vengeance on them. Verse 14 is slightly different - they will know my vengeance, declares the Sovereign LORD.

We have already had this phrase in its various forms many times before. It starts in Chapters 6 and 7 where it occurs 6 times. It comes another 10 times in 11-16 before another glut in Chapter 20. The last time we had it was in 22:16 and 24:27 When you have been defiled in the eyes of the nations, you will know that I am the LORD. ... At that time your mouth will be opened; you will speak with him and will no longer be silent. So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the LORD. It appears another 12 times in this section and then a further 13 times before the end of the book. It is clear then that both in the case of his own rebellious people and the nations around God is determined that they will know that he is the LORD.

It is God's purpose to bring vengeance on these Gentile peoples for their sins, to avenge himself on them. They are to be punished. But this is put in terms of knowing the LORD.

Now we need to read that carefully. He doesn't say 'Then you will know that I am God'. Like all of us here this morning, they already knew that. Oh yes, they resisted the idea and opposed it but they knew there was a God.

'But now' says God 'they are going to know that I am the LORD.' They are going to know that he is the true God, the living God, the only God, the God of his people, the covenant God. Of course, by the time they know this it will be of no comfort to them. They will only know it because of the vengeance he will bring upon them. They will be in no doubt that it is the LORD who has punished them.

So here is pivotal truth. In the end we will all know that God is the LORD. We know that there is a God. That is not in doubt, even though some pretend that it is. But we will know the LORD himself and who he is. If we continue to resist him, we will know this only when he brings his vengeance upon his and we are judged. What I want to do this morning is to urge the fact on you and plead with you to repent now and know that he is the LORD and receive his mercy. You will know the LORD in the end. It is only a question of time. Will you know he is LORD now in this life? Or will you only come to know he is LORD when it is too late and his judgement comes upon you.

2. Recall the coming judgement on all who sin

Well, what about this judgement, this punishment? Here we have a series of therefores – in verses 4, 7, 9, 13 and 16. In each case it follows on from the statement of the nation's sin. Sin leads to judgement. So we read God saying

4, 5, 7 therefore I am going to give you to the people of the East as a possession. They will set up their camps and pitch their tents among you; they will eat your fruit and drink your milk. I will turn Rabbah into a pasture for camels and Ammon into a resting place for sheep.

... therefore I will stretch out my hand against you and give you as plunder to the nations. I will cut you off from the nations and exterminate you from the countries. I will destroy you,

9-11 therefore I will expose the flank of Moab, beginning at its frontier towns - Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon and Kiriathaim - the glory of that land. I will give Moab along with the Ammonites to the people of the East as a possession, so that the Ammonites will not be remembered among the nations; and I will inflict punishment on Moab.

13, 14 therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will stretch out my hand against Edom and kill its men and their animals. I will lay it waste, and from Teman to Dedan they will fall by the sword. I will take vengeance on Edom by the hand of my people Israel, and they will deal with Edom in accordance with my anger and my wrath.

16, 17 therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am about to stretch out my hand against the Philistines, and I will cut off the Kerethites and destroy those remaining along the coast. I will carry out great vengeance on them and punish them in my wrath.

These verses then speak about defeat for these nations. Ammon will be left as a desert. I will stretch out my hand against you says the LORD and give you as plunder to the nations. The nation itself will come to an end and not be remembered. There is no more Ammon. God destroyed them. He also intends to inflict punishment on Moab and stretch out his hand against Edom to kill them. I will lay it waste says God. I will take vengeance on Edom ... in accordance with my anger and my wrath. He is about to stretch out his hand against the Philistines and destroy them. I will carry out great vengeance on them and punish them in my wrath he says.

Now these are temporal judgements, of course, but they point us to the final judgement itself when God will stretch out his hand against all who do not repent. He will inflict punishment on sinners in wrath and anger. Never forget that day of judgement that is coming. These people thought they would go on forever but they did not. God judged them. Are you ready for judgement?

3. Ponder your sins and some of the ways in which you have offended God

Now why were these nations to be judged as they were going to be? Again in each case – before the therefore of judgement - their sins are set out. So we read

3, 6 Because you said Aha! over my sanctuary when it was desecrated and over the land of Israel when it was laid waste and over the people of Judah when they went into exile ... Because you have clapped your hands and stamped your feet, rejoicing with all the malice of your heart against the land of Israel

8 Because Moab and Seir said, Look, the house of Judah has become like all the other nations, ...

12 Because Edom took revenge on the house of Judah and became very guilty by doing so, ...

15 Because the Philistines acted in vengeance and took revenge with malice in their hearts, and with ancient hostility sought to destroy Judah,

You notice that in each case it is the same sin that is highlighted – that of a bad attitude towards the people of God. Some went further in this sin than others but they were all guilty. Rather than seeing what God had done to his people and taking note and repenting they merely mock. When we see others in trouble we should rather think – it could be me next, I must repent.

Now what about us? What is our attitude to the people of God? Are we glad when the church is in trouble? Do we take the attitude that the church is nothing special and suffers just like other organisations? Is there malice? Is there hostility? Now God will judge all who have such attitudes. Indeed our attitude to God's people should be the very opposite of this. When God's people are in trouble it should sadden us. We ought to have every sympathy with all who are his. It is a mark of the Christian, the person on his way to heaven, that he loves the brotherhood of believers. 1 John 3:11 This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

Of course, there are many other matters on which we will be judged on the last day – our love to God and willingness to honour him, whether we are submissive, chaste, truthful and contented. But just take this one test – your attitude to God's people. If that is not right, it is enough. We deserve God's judgement.

4. Remember who is speaking here. These are the words of God himself

Finally let's consider who speaks these words. Throughout the passage we have the recurring phrase This is what the Sovereign LORD says (6, 8, 12, 13, 15, 16). In the opening verses we read The word of the LORD came to me: Son of man, set your face against the Ammonites and prophesy against them. Say to them, Hear the word of the Sovereign LORD. This is what the Sovereign LORD says: There can be no doubt about the speaker then. It is the LORD himself, the Sovereign LORD. It is our Maker and God. Of course, the message comes through his servant Ezekiel. Ezekiel is told to set his face against the Ammonites and prophesy against them. It is not easy to preach judgement I can assure you. Yet, it is an important part of the Bible's message. This is God's Word – not mine. That is why you must believe it. Now judgement is not my only message, of course, and not the Bible's only message. In fact, the great message of the Bible is that if you repent and turn to god there can be forgiveness through the LORD Jesus Christ. The same God who speaks here of his wrath and anger and judgement is the God who so loved the world that he sent his one only Son into the world so that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life. Trust in Jesus Christ and you can face the judgement with confidence. Refuse to turn to him and there is no hope.