Proclamations Against Ammon and Moab: How Not to Treat God’s People

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 25:1-11

 

Ezekiel 25:6-7

 ‘For thus says the Lord God: “Because you clapped your hands, stamped your feet, and rejoiced in heart with all your disdain for the land of Israel, ⁷ indeed, therefore, I will stretch out My hand against you, and give you as plunder to the nations; I will cut you off from the peoples, and I will cause you to perish from the countries; I will destroy you, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

(NKJV)

 

The text of Ezekiel 25:1-32:32 records the oracles of Ezekiel addressing seven nations that represent the four points of the compass. There is a two-fold purpose for these oracles, first assurance to Judah that their enemies would not go unpunished and second the oracle against Egypt as a warning not to trust in their alliance with Egypt. The application for the Church is to remind us that the enemies of the Church will not go unpunished but a warning not to compromise with the world.

 

Ezekiel receives a word from the Lord instructing him to prophesy against the Ammonites (Ezekiel 25:1-2). The reason for the word against the Ammonites is their saying aha against the sanctuary when profaned, the land of Israel when it was desolate, and the house of Judah when they went into captivity (Ezekiel 25:3). Because of this attitude towards the people of God, God will deliver Ammon as a possession to the men of the East with them setting up encampments against them, dwelling with them, and eating their fruit and drinking their milk (Ezekiel 25:4). Rabbah will be a stable for camels and Ammon a resting place for flocks causing Ammon to know the Lord is the Lord (Ezekiel 25:5)

 

The word from the Lord continues with the Lord telling the Ammonites he intends to stretch out His hand against them because of their disdain for the land of Israel (Ezekiel 25:6-7). The Lord intends to give Ammon as plunder to the nations, cutting them off from the peoples, causing them to perish from the countries, and destroying them so they know the Lord is the Lord (Ezekiel 25:7). Ammon’s disdain for Israel will not go unpunished.

 

The text now shifts to a proclamation against Moab. Moab and Seir say that Judah is like all the nations (Ezekiel 25:8). Because of this demeaning of God’s people in Judah, the Lord intends to clear Moab of the cities of its frontier, the glory of the nation (Ezekiel 25:9). Moab too will be given to the men of the East as a possession along with the Ammonites who are no longer remembered among the nations (Ezekiel 25:10). The word to Moab concludes with the Lord reminding Moab that He will execute His judgments upon them (Ezekiel 25:11).

 

Even though the people of Judah have sinned and rebelled against God, they are His people with God making proclamations against their enemies. While Ezekiel has declared God’s intended wrath against Judah and Israel (Ezekiel 6:1-7), he has also promised deliverance when they repent and turn back to God (Ezekiel 11:14-25). God issues these proclamations against Ammon and Moab as a reminder Israel and Judah are still the people of God in need of correction and a warning not to be against them or risk suffering the same wrath.

 

While continued rebellion against God by His people has consequences, woe to anyone who takes advantage of this rebellion to attack God’s people. Many modern Churches have adopted the woke culture, believing that is how to attract those believing the woke abominations. This may sound like a good strategy for growth in the secular business world, but it is not God’s strategy for Church growth. Jesus told His disciples that if He is lifted up, He will draw all people unto Him (John 12:32). The early Church took this seriously and why they refused to be quiet about Jesus even when facing imprisonment, beatings, and death (Acts 4:13-22).

 

The timid and lukewarm Church of today must reconnect with the boldness it had after receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). While the Church of today has easy access to knowledge of the Word of God, it must couple this knowledge of truth by following the leading of the Holy Spirit to apply Godly truth where needed most. The Church must repent of compromising with the world and return to applying Biblical truth under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Lord, I repent of my sins and ask you to direct me on where to apply your truth to participate in bringing revival to a dark world that needs Jesus.

 

If you are reading this and have not prayed for the forgiveness of your sins making Jesus the Lord of your life, or have drifted away from your relationship with Christ, I invite you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.