Ezekiel 25 Footnotes

25:1-7 Ezekiel’s messages against the nations are similar to those found in Is 13:1–23:18; Jr 46:1–51:64; and Am 1:3–2:3. They affirm that all nations who oppose God, and his people will be judged. The Lord chose these nations for a particular reason. Each of the first three was a blood relative of the Israelites. Each had become bitter enemies of God and his people. The Ammonites (Ezk 25:2) were the descendants of Lot (Gn 19:38) from an incestuous relationship with his younger daughter. The speech against them is a continuation of the previous message of Ezk 21:28-32. The Ammonites were known for cruelty (Am 1:3), idolatries (1Kg 11:7,33), pride (Zph 2:9-10), and hatred for Israel (Dt 23:3-4, Jdg 3:13; 1Sm 11:1-2; 2Sm 10:1-14; 2Kg 24:2; Neh 4:3,7-8).

25:8-11 Moab was Lot’s son by his older daughter (Gn 19:37). The Moabites introduced Baal worship to Israel (Nm 21:1–25:5) and participated in the sins of Ammon (Ezk 25:1-8). Both Ammon and Moab would disappear from the family of nations (vv. 10-11).

25:12-14 The Edomites were descendants of Esau (Gn 25:25), who foolishly sold his birthright to Jacob and held the promises of God in contempt (Gn 25:29-34). Later when he sought to inherit the blessing, he was rejected and denied the opportunity for repentance (Heb 12:16). His descendants were bitter enemies of the Jews. Edom would be laid waste (Is 34:5-17; Jr 49:7-22; Am 1:9-12; Ob 18).