Read Ezekiel 25:1-17
God’s actions against Judah were not a laughing matter but serious business. The Sovereign LORD does not move in any way by accident. These messages were for Ezekiel to share with foreign nations. How did they respond to the LORD’s actions?
- The Ammonites laughed.
- The Moabites spoke poorly of the Israelites.
- The Edomites avenged themselves against Judah.
- The Philistines were bitter and contemptuous.
God does not tolerate such behavior. Even though these nations were not part of Israel or Judah, the ancestral ties would connect them to the Israelite family. Israel and Judah received their own punishment. Still, these nations showed no respect for God’s power or sadness for what had happened to their neighboring nation. That angered God.
How did our angry God respond? He wiped them out or brought very dire consequences to these nations. They would be caught unaware God’s wrath was coming if not for Ezekiel’s message. Would the prophecy fall on deaf ears like the LORD’s prophets faced in Israel and Judah? Maybe Ezekiel would get the respect after all because these people would have knowledge of what God had just done. There’s no denying that was a powerful statement. There may be some who still have the fear of the LORD inside them.
But these examples speak volumes to me as a Christian living in this present-day world. If God feels for us anything like what he felt for his precious children back then, what about now? Would God put up with people harassing or questioning our motives or our beliefs based our Biblical world view? I don’t think so. That’s a battle we don’t have to fight.
God’s response against the bullies of Israel (Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites, and Philistines) is profound. You might think he was on a rampage trying to cleanse the world of all evil. His tactic of mass killing and devastating property was hugely significant. But was it effective?
The years of exile for Ezekiel couldn’t have been any easier. He had lost his wife, was living in a strange land, and God was talking to him, giving him messages that would be hard to deliver. We know Ezekiel to be a faithful and obedient follower. God was using him.
God uses us, too. Our job for the kingdom may not be receiving prophecy like Ezekiel. We have something of our own that God is asking of us. Of course, our main job is to love him and other people. We’re not supposed to keep our faith to ourselves either. Instead, share the Good News!
Remember who is fighting your battle and going ahead of you as you share. You are never alone. There’s a song a dear friend of mine sang back in high school. I remember because I was privileged to be her piano accompaniment during her audition/performance. The song was “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” It’s a secular song, but when I listen to it, I picture who it is that is walking beside me. My king Jesus. Here’s the lyrics to the refrain. See if you can’t help but picture Jesus there beside you, too.
Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
Let’s pray. LORD, I am beyond grateful that you are always right beside me, encouraging me, guiding me, teaching me. Such an amazing God that can do all things, knows all things, created all things. I see such anger and disappointment in these messages you gave Ezekiel. Help me to stay close to you and never cause you to be angry with me. Forgive me for those times I fall short. Thank you for loving this imperfect human (me.). In Jesus’ name. Amen.
