These prophecies in Ezekiel 25 are God’s judgment against Israel’s enemies. The Ammonites, Moabites, Edomites and Philistines are Israel’s enemies clockwise from the east of the Dead Sea around to the southwest along the Mediterranean coast. The Ammonites and Moabites are descendants of Lot through incest with his daughters, Gen 19:30-38. Seir was inhabited by the Horites, Gen 14:6, 36:20-30. Esau settled in this area. Esau is the father of the Edomites, Gen 36:8-9. The Philistines are descendants of Ham through Mizraim, Gen 10:13-14.
When Israel came out of Egypt through these lands, God made them pass by them and not take heir land because their possessions were given to them by God, Deut 2:4-5, 8-9, 19. The Philistines, though, were to be destroyed, Josh 13:2-3.
Israel had continual problems from these countries. The Lord used these countries to prove Israel, whether they would hearken to the Lord, and he used them to correct Israel whenever he was angry with Israel for their disobedience, Jud 3:1-4.
Israel’s Enemies
They had trouble from Moab in Jud 3:12 (Ehud); 2 Chr 20 (Jehoshaphat).
They had war with the Philistines in Jud 3:31; Jud 10:7; Jud 13-16 (Samson); 1 Sam 4:1 (when ark taken); 1 Sam 9:16 (Saul); 1 Sam 17 (Goliath); 1 Sam 31 (killed Saul); 2 Sam 5 (David, mulberry trees); 2 Sam 8:11-14 (David); 2 Sam 21:15 (David when other giants killed).
They had war with the Ammonites in Jud 10-11 (Jephthah), Jud 14:4 (Gideon), 1 Sam 12:12 (Saul, why Israel wanted a king); 2 Sam 8:11-14 (David); 2 Sam 10 (Joab and Abishai); 2 Sam 12:26 (Rabbah of Ammon taken); 2 Chr 20 (Jehoshaphat)
They had war with Edom in 2 Sam 8:11-14 (David); 1 Ki 11:14 (Solomon, Hadad after Solomon’s idolatry); 2 Chr 25:14 (Amaziah)
And Seir is mentioned in 2 Chr 20 (Jehoshaphat); 2 Chr 25:11-12 (Amaziah)
Most of the other wars against Israel were from Amalek, Egypt, Syria, Israel (against Judah), Assyria, and Babylon. These were the other of Israel’s major enemies.
Judgment Against Ammon
Ammonites Ezek 25:1-7
v.3 Because Ammon said, Aha, which is the use of ridicule to show contempt:
Against the sanctuary when it was profaned 2 Ki 25:8-9
Against the land of Israel when it was desolate, Assyrian captivity
Against the house of Judah when they went into captivity, 2 Ki 25:11
The king of Ammon in Jer 40:11-14 sent Ishmael to slay Gedaliah. In Jer 49:1-4 Ammon tried to inhabit Israel, in Gad, and they got destroyed for this.
v.4 I’ll deliver thee to the men of the east. These are Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, Ezek 21:20, and the Chaldeans. They shall set their palaces in thee, make their dwellings in thee, and shall eat thy fruit and drink thy milk.
v.5 I’ll make Rabbah a stable for camels. In 2 Sam 12:26-29 Rabbah was the city of waters, the royal city. Joab and David had besieged and taken this city. The Ammonites become a couching place for flocks.
v.6 Because thou hast clapped thine hands, stamped with the feet, rejoiced in heart with all thy despite, an attitude of despising the land of Israel.
v.7 Therefore, I’ll stretch out mine hand, deliver thee for a spoil, cut thee off from the people, cause thee to perish, and destroy thee.
Judgment Against Moab and Seir
Moab and Seir Ezek 25:8-11. Moab is mentioned in Jer 48:14-25.
Moab and Seir say the house of Judah is like all the heathen. In fact they were not more righteous than the heathen, Deut 9:4-6. But they are God’s chosen, Deut 4:34-38. What one nation is like them Deut 4:6-8?
v.9 I will open the side of Moab from the cities on the frontiers. The frontier is the border. In Spanish, the word for border is frontera. The glory of the country are these principle ciries: Bethjesimoth, Baalmeon, Kiriathaim.
v.10 unto the men of the east with the Ammonites. So, when the Ammonites are taken, the Moabites will get their judgment, too. And give them in possession, that the Ammonites be not remembered among the nations.
v.11 I will execute judgments upon Moab
Judgment Against Edom
Edom Ezek 25:12-14. Edom is mentioned in Jer 49:7-22.
v.12 Because Edom hath taken vengeance against the house of Judah, and greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them.
v.13 therefore I’ll stretch out mine hand against Edom, cut off man and beast, I will make it desolate from Teman and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword.
v.14 I’ll lay vengeance upon Edom by my people Israel (a reference to the second coming of Jesus, when Israel turns and defeats their enemies by the hand of the Lord). They shall do in Edom according to my anger and fury, they shall know my vengeance.
Judgment Against the Philistines
Philistines Ezek 25:15-17. The Philistines are mentioned in Jer 47.
v.15 Because the Philistines have taken vengeance with a despiteful heart, to destroy it for the old hatred. The Philistines have fought against Israel longer than these other nations.
v.16 Therefore I will stretch out mine hand upon the Philistines, cut off the Cherethims (only mention), and destroy the remnant of the sea coast, (the region they inhabit).
v.17 I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes and they shall know that I am the Lord.
Judgment Against Israel’s Enemies at the Second Advent
These prophecies have a dual fulfillment. First, they are fulfilled after Judah is taken captive. Second, they are fulfilled at the second coming of Jesus, when the Lord finally deals these nations a blow, after which they never attack Israel again during the entire millennial reign of Jesus. You can see their confederate attack against Israel during the Tribulation in Ps 83. After God delivers them, all these nations will know that God is the Lord. These prophecies tell of God’s judgment against Israel’s enemies