There is now something of an interlude. Ezekiel has just told them that Jerusalem was under siege, there is now a silence in terms of words directly about Israel. This is resumed in chapter 33. In between is a series of oracles against surrounding nations.
Why does Ezekiel prophecy about them? They would not hear the words themselves, so the purpose must have been for the exiles themselves to hear, along with later generations. God was never just the God of the Jews, just as there is no such thing as the Christian God. There is one Lord, and He is the Lord of All. Judgement begins with the house of God, but extends to the other peoples as well.
This chapter deals with four nations, Ammon, Moab, Edom and Philistia. One of the recurring themes is their gloating over Jerusalem's defeat. We must never revel in someone else's downfall, especially someone who belongs to God. For we have no idea what God's long term plans are.
In all cases the nations will eventually realise who the Lord is. Events will prove that God is God. In an increasingly secular society we have no need to fear. For at some point God will do something that demonstrates the futility of man's thinking, and wisdom of God.
Why does Ezekiel prophecy about them? They would not hear the words themselves, so the purpose must have been for the exiles themselves to hear, along with later generations. God was never just the God of the Jews, just as there is no such thing as the Christian God. There is one Lord, and He is the Lord of All. Judgement begins with the house of God, but extends to the other peoples as well.
This chapter deals with four nations, Ammon, Moab, Edom and Philistia. One of the recurring themes is their gloating over Jerusalem's defeat. We must never revel in someone else's downfall, especially someone who belongs to God. For we have no idea what God's long term plans are.
In all cases the nations will eventually realise who the Lord is. Events will prove that God is God. In an increasingly secular society we have no need to fear. For at some point God will do something that demonstrates the futility of man's thinking, and wisdom of God.
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