Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryEzekiel 25

Prophecies Against Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia In this section, God commands Ezekiel to prophesy against the nations surrounding Israel. These nations rejoiced over Israel’s troubles and took advantage when Jerusalem fell. God announces judgment against Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia for their hostility and cruelty toward His people. Each nation will face punishment that matches their actions, showing that God is just and sovereign over all nations, not just Israel. These prophecies are both a warning to the enemies of God’s people and a comfort to Israel that God sees their suffering and will make things right.v. 1: The word of the Lord

v. 2-5: God tells Ezekiel to declare that because the Ammonites rejoiced over the destruction of the temple and the land of Israel, they will face punishment. God will give their land to the people of the East (probably the Babylonians), who will set up their camps and live there. The capital city, Rabbah, will become a pasture for camels, and the land of Ammon will become a resting place for flocks. The Ammonites will know that God is the Lord

v. 6-7: Because the Ammonites clapped their hands and rejoiced over Israel’s downfall, God says He will hand them over as plunder to other nations. He will destroy them so that they will no longer exist as a nation, and they will understand that the Lord

Judgment Against Moab and Seir This section gives a prophecy against the nations of Moab and Seir (Edom). These nations looked down on Israel and rejoiced when Israel fell into trouble. God shows that He notices when surrounding nations mock or harm His people. He promises to bring judgment on Moab and Seir for their pride and contempt. Through this, God teaches all nations that He alone is the true God, and He will defend His people and punish those who dishonor them. v. 8: The Lord says that because Moab and Seir claimed that Judah was just like all other nations, they will be punished. They did not see anything special about God’s people and treated them with disrespect. Their attitude showed pride and ignorance of God’s work among Israel.

v. 9: God promises to open up Moab’s border cities, its glory and strength, to attack. The strong cities that Moab was proud of—Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon, and Kiriathaim—will be given to the people of the East (Babylonian invaders). Moab will lose the very things it trusted in for protection.

v. 10: God will give Moab, along with Ammon, to these Eastern people. In this way, the nations will no longer be remembered among other nations. Their pride and mocking will be punished, and they will lose their place of honor.

v. 11: God says He will execute judgments on Moab, and then they will know that He is the Lord. The punishment is meant to teach them that the God of Israel is the true God, and no one can mock Him and go unpunished.

v. 12–14: The Lord also speaks against Edom (Seir) because Edom sought revenge against Judah and acted with cruel vengeance. God says He will punish Edom by the hand of His people Israel, and Edom will experience God’s anger and vengeance. This will serve as a warning to others not to mistreat God’s people.

v. 15-17: Finally, God speaks against the Philistines, who acted with revenge and spite against Israel. God will stretch out His hand against the Philistines and destroy them, wiping out the Cherethites (a Philistine group). The Philistines will suffer great punishment, so they will know that God is the Lord