Day 160 – Ezekiel: Messages against foreign nations

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because you clapped and danced and cheered with glee at the destruction of my people, I will raise my fist of judgment against you. I will give you as plunder to many nations. I will cut you off from being a nation and destroy you completely. Then you will know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 25:6-7NLT

Reading Ezekiel 25:1 to Ezekiel 32:32

Like other prophets, we see God’s messenger not only prophesying to Israel but also to other nations. God’s message is for all mankind, just as Jesus was sent for everyone. Ezekiel condemned the sinful actions of seven nations. The people in these nations claimed that God was clearly too weak to defend His people and the city of Jerusalem. However, God was allowing His people to be defeated to punish them for their sins. These pagan nations, in turn, would face a similar fate, and then they would recognise that God is all-powerful. Those who dare to mock God today will also face a terrible consequence.

The Ammonites are judged because of their joy over the desecration of the Temple, the Moabites because they scorned Judah as special people, the Edomites because of their special hatred of the Jews, and the Philistines because of their vengeance. All nations today are also under the limit imposed by God and will soon realise that God is supreme.

Prayer: Father, thank You for showing us that the Old Testament prophecies were not only meant for Israel, but the whole world. Just like Jesus came for all mankind and lovingly opened His heart to all who accept Him as Your only Son who came for our salvation. May those nations’ Lord come to have a personal relationship with You. Amen.