Ezekiel
25 reminds me of a mother’s protective instinct. In nature, it
seems the worst place to be is between a mother and her cub. Any
perception of danger to her offspring will produce a fury in
response. In the next eight chapters, God speaks to the nations
surrounding Israel. He responds with this same intense ferocity to
those nations that have harmed His people. The chapter begins with
God instructing the prophet, “set
your face against the Ammonites and prophesy against them“.
Listen to their offense, “Because
you said “Aha!” over my sanctuary when it was desecrated“.
Taunting someone when they appear to be helpless may not be wise.
Understand that God was judging Israel, “when
they went into exile“, but
that did not give their enemies permission to pile on. When I
disciplined my children, I would not have allowed anyone else to add
to it. An outsider adding to my punishment would have been met with
my wrath. He says to the Ammonites, “therefore
I am going to give you to the people of the East as a possession…
they will eat your fruit and drink your milk… Because you have
clapped your hands… rejoicing
with all the malice of your heart against the land of Israel“.
How strongly does God protect His own? “I
will wipe you out… I will destroy you, and you will know that I am
the Lord“.
Next
the Prophet is told that the nation of Moab insulted Israel and
impugned God’s reputation. God always keeps His promises, though
not always in our timing. They said, “Look,
Judah has become like all the other nations“.
God says simply, “I will
inflict punishment on Moab. Then they will know that I am the Lord“.
Even in the midst of my punishment, my children never stop being my
children. Proverbs 13:24 adds, “the
one who loves their children is careful to discipline them“.
Loving parents discipline their children.
Next
He prophesied against Edom for doing the unthinkable. In the midst of
God’s punishment, “Edom took
revenge on Judah and became very guilty by doing so“.
With Israel over God’s bent knee, Edom attacked. Under God’s
watchful eyes, they attempted a sneak attack. God did not allow
this, “I will stretch out My
hand against Edom… I will lay it waste… 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“.
Finally, He speaks to the Philistines using the same reasoning and
logic that differentiates murder from homicide. “Because
the Philistines acted in vengeance and took revenge with malice in
their hearts… sought to destroy Judah… I am about to stretch out
my hand against the Philistines“.
Acting in self-defense does not carry the same penalty as
premeditated murder. Because the Philistines had malice in their
hearts, they receive God’s full vengeance. The chapter closes with
the now familiar phrase, “Then
they will know that I am the Lord“.
Here is the good news to all that are dealing with difficulty; while
God disciplines, He also protects His children. “Those
whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.
Here
I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and
opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they
with Me” (Revelation 3:19-20).
Are you ready for God’s protection?