Ezekiel 25

The LORD’s word came to me, saying,

“Son of man, set your face toward the children of Ammon, and prophesy against them.

Tell the children of Ammon, ‘Hear the word of the Lord GOD! The Lord GOD says, “Because you said, ‘Aha!’ against my sanctuary when it was profaned, and against the land of Israel when it was made desolate, and against the house of Judah when they went into captivity,

therefore, behold, I will deliver you to the children of the east for a possession. They will set their encampments in you and make their dwellings in you. They will eat your fruit and they will drink your milk.

I will make Rabbah a stable for camels and the children of Ammon a resting place for flocks. Then you will know that I am the LORD.”

For the Lord GOD says: “Because you have clapped your hands, stamped with the feet, and rejoiced with all the contempt of your soul against the land of Israel,

therefore, behold, I have stretched out my hand on you, and will deliver you for a plunder to the nations. I will cut you off from the peoples, and I will cause you to perish out of the countries. I will destroy you. Then you will know that I am the LORD.”

“‘The Lord GOD says: “Because Moab and Seir say, ‘Behold, the house of Judah is like all the nations,’

therefore, behold, I will open the side of Moab from the cities, from his cities which are on its frontiers, the glory of the country, Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon, and Kiriathaim,

to the children of the east, to go against the children of Ammon; and I will give them for a possession, that the children of Ammon may not be remembered among the nations.

I will execute judgments on Moab. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

“‘The Lord GOD says: “Because Edom has dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and has greatly offended, and taken revenge on them,”

therefore the Lord GOD says, “I will stretch out my hand on Edom, and will cut off man and animal from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman. They will fall by the sword even to Dedan.

I will lay my vengeance on Edom by the hand of my people Israel. They will do in Edom according to my anger and according to my wrath. Then they will know my vengeance,” says the Lord GOD.

“‘The Lord GOD says: “Because the Philistines have taken revenge, and have taken vengeance with contempt of soul to destroy with perpetual hostility,”

therefore the Lord GOD says, “Behold, I will stretch out my hand on the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethites, and destroy the remnant of the sea coast.

I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes. Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I lay my vengeance on them.”’”

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter marks a shift in Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry from oracles against Israel and Judah to a series of judgments pronounced against foreign nations—Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia—each condemned for their hostility toward God’s people during Judah’s downfall. The chapter emphasizes that the God of Israel is sovereign over all nations and will hold even non-covenant peoples accountable for their pride, cruelty, and rejoicing over Judah’s calamity.

Flow.

The word of the Lord directs Ezekiel to confront the Ammonites for their scorn toward Judah and delight in Israel’s ruin, promising their destruction and desolation by eastern invaders.
The indictment expands to Moab and Seir, who are judged for treating Judah as indistinguishable from other nations, with God vowing to lay open their territory and execute judgment so that they acknowledge His sovereignty.
Edom is charged with deep hostility and vengeance against Judah, leading to divine retribution carried out by Israel as God’s instrument of anger.
Finally, the Philistines are condemned for their long-standing malice and relentless hostility, resulting in their own annihilation and the fulfillment of God’s vengeance.

Connections.
Following the extensive focus on Israel’s sin and judgment in chapters 1–24, chapter 25 opens the door to God’s global justice, showing that His holiness extends beyond Israel to all nations. This prepares for the fuller sequence of judgments on foreign powers in chapters 26–32, particularly targeting Tyre, Sidon, and Egypt. The transition signals that the exile is not a sign of divine weakness but the beginning of a wider unveiling of God’s authority over all the earth, which chapter 26 takes up in detail with the oracle against Tyre.

What it teaches.
The chapter reveals that God’s justice is impartial and comprehensive: He not only judges His own people for covenant unfaithfulness (WCF 19.5) but also holds pagan nations accountable for moral and spiritual transgressions, especially cruelty and pride toward His elect. The repeated refrain, “Then they will know that I am the LORD,” underscores God’s commitment to make His sovereign name known through righteous retribution (Ezek. 6:7; cf. WCF 3.7). The fact that God employs human nations as instruments of His wrath—yet also judges them for their sinful motives—demonstrates His supreme control over history (HC LD 9). This aligns with the biblical teaching that God “will render to each one according to his deeds” (Rom. 2:6; cf. BC Art. 13).

Apply.
When others suffer, God sees every mocking heart and rejoicing at their expense, and He will defend His people’s dignity according to His just promise.

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