The Nations Matter
And for the house of Israel there shall be no more a brier to prick or a thorn to hurt them among all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord God. Ezekiel 28:24
Ezekiel 25:1–33:33 – Ezekiel: Renewing God’s Glory
Sixth Sunday of Eastertide – May 5, 2024 (am)
I’ve always loved stories that include simple, engaging elements which, at some point deep into the plot, you suddenly realize have a significance to them that exceeds your imagination, not to mention your initial understanding. One of the richest in my memory is found, of course, in The Chronicles of Narnia. In the opening chapter of Book 1 when Lucy first enters the magical world of Narnia, one of the first things she encounters is a lamp-post, a London streetlamp, standing in the middle of a snowy wood. But it’s not until Chapter 9 in Book 6 that you discover where that lamp-post came from, why it’s there, and the profound significance of both these truths.
Today’s passage strikes me like that. Having just come through an extended section (cc.4-23) pronouncing judgments against Israel for her idolatry and rebellion against God, which takes us right to the threshold of those judgments being initiated (c.24), it’s just odd to meet eight chapters full of judgments against the nations surrounding Israel (cc.25-32) before what began in c.24 is completed in c.33. In a sense, what we see in cc.25-33 isn’t fundamentally different than cc.4-24. Yet, while the judgment itself and the reasons for [it] are similar (social sins, spiritual hubris, etc.), the divine punishment is the same (the curses against Judah are turned against Judah’s enemies), and the vocabulary and tone are similar…, Ezekiel’s audience would undoubtedly have welcomed these prophecies because they portrayed their enemies as [God’s] enemies, as the objects of [His] judgment (Block 1997 3-4). They’d have drawn great hope from this section of his prophecy.
So, while it could sound like we’re just continuing down the same road of irrefutable rationale for judgment that’s filled the last twenty chapters, we’re actually moving into something quite new and deeply significant for a number of reasons. We’ve met a lamp-post in a snowy wood—a familiar occurrence that, at the same time, is strangely out-of-place. But because of that we’re also pretty sure it’s significant, even though we don’t immediately know why.
Let’s seek to understand this big chunk of Ezekiel by addressing it in three parts: (1) a summary of the section as a whole (God’s judgment of Israel’s enemies), (2) the brief passage standing at the heart of this section (28:25-26) that helps us know how to read it, then (3) the chapter (c.33) that draws the bottom line on Israel’s past so that we can begin looking toward her future.
Judgment of the Nations, especially Tyre and Egypt 25-32
Pronouncing judgments against foreign nations is not at all uncommon in the OT prophets and it’s usually for the reasons we read right here. Ezekiel addresses the bordering nations immediately surrounding Israel, beginning with Ammon, to the northeast, and proceeding clockwise around to the northwest with Tyre (Duguid 323). Undeniable bottom line: all the nations answer to God. Their behavior matters as well, and they’ll be held accountable by God. Let’s read c.25.
1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, set your face toward the Ammonites (descendants of Lot by his younger daughter [Gen.19:38]), and prophesy against them. 3 Say to the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord God: Thus says the Lord God, Because you said, ‘Aha!’ over my sanctuary when it was profaned, and over the land of Israel when it was made desolate, and over the house of Judah when they went into exile (common indictments against these nations), 4 therefore behold, I am handing you over to the people of the East for a possession, and they shall set their encampments among you and make their dwellings in your midst. They shall eat your fruit, and they shall drink your milk. 5 I will make Rabbah a pasture for camels and Ammon (present day Amman, Jordan) a fold for flocks. Then you will know that I am the Lord. 6 For thus says the Lord God: Because you have clapped your hands and stamped your feet and rejoiced with all the malice within your soul against the land of Israel, 7 therefore, behold, I have stretched out my hand against you, and will hand you over as plunder to the nations (similar punishment to Israel). And I will cut you off from the peoples and will make you perish out of the countries; I will destroy you. Now, here again is Ezekiel’s aim: Then you will know that I am the Lord.
8 “Thus says the Lord God: Because Moab (descendants of Lot by his older daughter [Gen.19:37]) and Seir said, ‘Behold, the house of Judah is like all the other nations,’ 9 therefore I will lay open the flank of Moab from the cities, from its cities on its frontier, the glory of the country, Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon, and Kiriathaim. 10 I will give it along with the Ammonites to the people of the East as a possession, that the Ammonites may be remembered no more among the nations, 11 and I will execute judgments upon Moab. Then they too will know that I am the Lord.
12 “Thus says the Lord God: Because Edom (descendants of Esau [Gen.36:1]) acted revengefully against the house of Judah and has grievously offended in taking vengeance on them, 13 therefore thus says the Lord God, I will stretch out my hand against Edom and cut off from it man and beast. And I will make it desolate; from Teman even to Dedan they shall fall by the sword. 14 And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel, and they shall do in Edom according to my anger and according to my wrath, and they shall know my vengeance, declares the Lord God.
15 “Thus says the Lord God: Because the Philistines (historic enemies) acted revengefully and took vengeance with malice of soul to destroy in never-ending enmity, 16 therefore thus says the Lord God, Behold, I will stretch out my hand against the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethites and destroy the rest of the seacoast. 17 I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes. Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I lay my vengeance upon them.”
You hear the flavor of these judgments, how God is identifying Himself with His people and holding the nations accountable for how they’ve treated Israel. Notably missing from this list, though, is Babylon, an important omission. This absence may undoubtedly be attributed to [Ezekiel’s] pro-Babylonian stance in political matters. To him Babylon was the sword in [God’s] hand, executing his judgment on [Israel]. Indeed, the objects of divine wrath in these texts seem to have been selected deliberately, not only because they rejoiced over the demise of Judah but also because they stood in Nebuchadnezzar’s divinely ordained path. This view would account for the inordinate attention given to Tyre and Egypt, who represented the principal obstacles to the fulfillment of the Babylonian’s mission (Block 1997 4). So, that’s what explains the next six chapters.
The date markers (26:1; 29:1, 17; 30:20; 31:1; 32:1; 33:21) are challenging to reconcile (Bock 1997 35), but all of them (except 29:17 regarding Babylon inheriting Egypt) seem to fall within the period of 587-585 bc (Reimer 25:1-32:32), immediately surrounding the fall of Jerusalem.
C.26 is an extended prophecy against Tyre, a region rich with international trade and relations, a shipping center saturated with profitable industry. She will be destroyed and plundered by Babylon (26:7-14). Then c.27 is a lament sealing Tyre’s fate. Not only will she fall, it’s as good as done. She’s rich merchant ship wrecked at sea! (27:26-34)
The first ten verses of c.28 then circle back and offer specific judgments against the king of Tyre (28:11, cf.28:1) as the representative of her pride. And a lament follows again (28:11-19), along with judgment of Tyre’s neighbor, Sidon (28:20-24).
C.29 moves on to God’s judgment of Egypt, once the premier world power, but in the end: 29:15 It shall be the most lowly of the kingdoms, and never again exalt itself above the nations. … 16 And it shall never again be the reliance of the house of Israel, recalling their iniquity, when they turn to them for aid. Then they will know that I am the Lord God. Egypt’s lament is raised in c.30, detailing her fall to Babylon (30:20-26).
Finally, c.31 is the prophecy against Pharaoh king of Egypt (31:1) and c.32 offers lament over him and his storied nation. 32:16 This is a lamentation that shall be chanted; the daughters of the nations shall chant it; over Egypt, and over all her multitude, shall they chant it, declares the Lord God. … 20 They shall fall amid those who are slain by the sword. Egypt is delivered to the sword…. 22 Assyria is there…. 24 Elam is there…. 26 Meshech-Tubal is there…. 29 Edom is there…. 30 The princes of the north are there, all of them, and all the Sidonians, who have gone down in shame with the slain, for all the terror that they caused by their might…. 31 When Pharaoh sees them, he will be comforted for all his multitude, Pharaoh and all his army, slain by the sword, declares the Lord God.
So ends the judgments of the nations (although a couple more do follow: Edom [c.35] and Magog [cc.38-39] [Block 1997 4]). They’re lengthy and specific. God knows His creatures and we will all answer to Him.
Promised Salvation at the Heart of Judgment 28:25-26
Before we move on to the confirmation of Jerusalem’s fall (c.33), we need to look back for just a moment to a couple verses we passed over in cc.25-32. They stand at the heart of it and show us yet again that, even in Ezekiel’s lengthy emphasis on God’s judgment, God’s grace routinely peeks through so that His people never lose sight of it. Much as we saw in cc.11(vv.16-20), 16(vv.59-63), 17(22-24), 18(vv.31-32), 20(40-44), a bit in 24(vv.24-26), again in this section we’re reminded of the steadfast love and faithfulness of God. First, 28:24 is gospel for Ezekiel’s people because it announces the end of the insults they have endured from their enemies (Block 1997 126). 28:24 And for the house of Israel there shall be no more a brier to prick or a thorn to hurt them among all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord God. But then, vv.25-26 expand on the good news (Block 1997 127). 25 Thus says the Lord God: When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and manifest my holiness in them in the sight of the nations, then they shall dwell in their own land that I gave to my servant Jacob. 26 And they shall dwell securely in it, and they shall build houses and plant vineyards. They shall dwell securely, repeated for emphasis, when I execute judgments upon all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. The judgments of these eight chapters are understood to be the manifestation of Israel’s security accomplished by God in fulfillment of His covenant and salvation promises. And when it’s done: Then they will know that I am the Lord their God.
In essence, these two verses provide the key that unlocks [this] entire [section] (cc.25-32). [Their] words of hope… [divide] Ezekiel’s oracles against foreign nations into two sensitively balanced halves, virtually identical in length; they function as a fulcrum (Block 1997 4) on which they balance. They provide the lens through which this passage should be viewed and the primer by which it should be understood. The grace of God stands central even in His judgments. After all, He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, or of anyone (18:23, 29; 33:11).
The Fugitive Arrives and the Course Changes 33
C.33 gives us a virtual review of what we heard in cc.4-24, explicitly recalling section after section from there: vv.1-9 echoing 3:19-21 and the role of a watchman. Vv.10-20 draw back 18:1-32 and the insight that any generation that [repents] shall surely live. Vv.21-22 fulfill 24:25-26, confirming the fall of Jerusalem. Vv.23-29 summarize cc.5-6, and more (Block 1997 235).
But really, three important things are happening here. In ascending order of importance, first, Ezekiel is affirmed in the eyes of the people as a true prophet (33:30-33)—what he prophesied to them, unthinkable as it was, happened. Second, they will see that the Lord is just in His judgments (33:17-20), even against Israel. So, the Lord is vindicated as well. And, third, they see the new beginning that’s opened up through the pouring out of God’s judgments, evidenced by His opening of Ezekiel’s mouth (33:22) in preparation for the fugitive’s arrival and message, just as He promised in 24:25-27 (and don’t miss the irony of a fugitive fleeing to the homeland of his conquerors [Block 1997 254]). All this said, however, it’s profoundly important to note that this new beginning isn’t tied to the repentance of the people. They’re eyes aren’t yet opened (33:23-26). They’re still just entertained by the prophet; they’re not listening to him (33:31-32). Even so, God will accomplish all He has said and will say through His prophet (33:33). And He’ll do it based on His own faithfulness and the authority of His will, not based on the faithfulness of His people or even their responses to Him.
Conclusion
So, what is our takeaway today? Three Helpful Reminders:
The whole world is accountable to God, even if they don’t know it. This is important to know, to remember in our day. The nations matter, and God raises them up and brings them down as He wills (Job 12:23; Dan.2:21). We will all answer to Him.
Messengers are called to faithfulness, not measurable results (cf. Block 1997 268). Prophetic messages can’t change our hearts. Vivid illustrations can’t change our hearts. We ourselves can’t change our hearts! But God’s message must be preached. Ezekiel’s watchman role tells us why. God works through it.
Sinners are called to trust in God’s good news, not just appreciate it. We need to recognize our need and see that His salvation is our only hope. [He’s] not unjust (33:17). He’s compassionate and merciful! And He’ll forgive sinners who turn to Him.
Let’s now remember Jesus’ death for us.
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Resources
Block, Daniel I. 1997. New International Commentary on the Old Testament. The Book of Ezekiel, two vols. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
. 2021. Recording Series: Ezekiel, online recordings and notes. Wheaton: College Church.
Bullock, C. Hassell. 2007. An Introduction to the Old Testament Prophetic Books. Ch. 11, Ezekiel: The Merging of Two Spheres, 274-307. Chicago: Moody.
Calvin, John. Commentary on the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel, two vols. Translated by Thomas Myers. Logos.
Carson, D. A. 2116. D. A. Carson Sermon Library. Bellingham, WA: Faithlife.
. 2015. The Lord Is There: Ezekiel 40-48. TGC15: YouTube.
, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham, eds. 1994. New Bible Commentary 21st Century Edition. Ezekiel, by L. John McGregor, 716-744. Leicester, Eng.: InterVarsity.
Clendenen, E. Ray, gen. ed. 1994. New American Commentary. Vol. 17, Ezekiel, by Lamar Eugene Cooper, Sr. Nashville: Broadman & Holman.
Collins, C. John, OT ed. 2001. ESV Study Bible. Study notes on Ezekiel, 1495-1580, by David J. Reimer. Wheaton: Crossway.
Craigie, Peter C. 1983. The Daily Bible Study Series. Ezekiel. Louisville: Westminster John Knox.
Dever, Mark. 2006. The Message of the Old Testament. Ch. 26, The Message of Ezekiel: Paradise, 635-650. Wheaton: Crossway.
Duguid, Iain M. 1999. The NIV Application Commentary. Ezekiel. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Heschel, Abraham J. 2001.The Prophets, two vols. Peabody, MA: Prince.
Longman III, Tremper, & David E. Garland, gen. eds. 2010. Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Vol. 7, Jeremiah-Ezekiel. Ezekiel, by Ralph H. Alexander, 641-924. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Smith, Gary V. 1994. The Prophets as Preachers. Ch.14, Ezekiel: When Will You Acknowledge God, 251-281. Nashville: Broadman & Holman.
Smith, James E. 1995. The Major Prophets. The Book of Ezekiel, 351-508. Joplin, MO: College.
VanGemeren, Willem A. 1990. Interpreting the Prophetic Word. Ch. 11, The Message of Ezekiel, 321-353. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Walton, John H., gen. ed. 2009. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background Commentary, Old Testament. Vol. 4, Isaiah-Daniel. Ezekiel, by Daniel Bodi, 400-500. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Walvoord, John F. & Roy B. Zuck. 1983. The Bible Knowledge Commentary. Vol. 1, Old Testament. Ezekiel, 1224-1323, by Charles H. Dyer. Colorado Springs: Victor.
Wiseman, Donald J., gen. ed. 1969. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. Vol. 22, Ezekiel, by John B. Taylor. Downers Grove: InterVarsity.
NEXT SUNDAY: The Future Blessings of a Faithful God, Ezekiel 34:1–39:29