When God punished Israel, did some nations gloat over their suffering? Is God happy when others celebrate our pain? Let’s look at Ezekiel 25.
What did God say about Ammon, northeast of Jerusalem across the Jordan River?
Then this message came to me from the Lord: “Son of man, turn and face the land of Ammon and prophesy against its people. Give the Ammonites this message from the Sovereign Lord: Hear the word of the Sovereign Lord! Because you cheered when my Temple was defiled, mocked Israel in her desolation, and laughed at Judah as she went away into exile, I will allow nomads from the eastern deserts to overrun your country. They will set up their camps among you and pitch their tents on your land. They will harvest all your fruit and drink the milk from your livestock. And I will turn the city of Rabbah into a pasture for camels, and all the land of the Ammonites into a resting place for sheep and goats. Then you will know that I am the Lord.
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. (Ezek 25:1-7 NLT)
What did God say about Moab, east of the Dead Sea?
The Lord Yahweh 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 Yahweh.” (Ezek 25:8-11 WEB)
What did God say about Edom, south of the Dead Sea?
The Lord God proclaims: Edom acted with excessive force against the house of Judah. The Judeans were guilty, but Edom’s vengeance was excessive. So the Lord God now proclaims: I’ll overpower Edom, eliminate all living creatures, and make it a wasteland from Teman to Dedan. They will fall by the sword. I will execute my vengeance in Edom through my people Israel’s power. They will act in Edom according to my anger and fury, and they will know my vengeance. This is what the Lord God says. (Ezek 25:12-14 CEB)
What did God say about Philistia, along the south coast west of Judah?
The Lord God said, “The cruel Philistines have taken revenge on their enemies over and over and have tried to destroy them. Now it's my turn to treat the Philistines as my enemies and to kill everyone living in their towns along the seacoast. In my fierce anger, I will take revenge on them. And when I punish them, they will know that I am the Lord.” (Ezek 25:15-17 CEV)
When enemies hurt us, should we take revenge or let God handle things?
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Rom 12:19 ESV)
When God punished Israel, did some nations gloat over their suffering? Is God happy when others celebrate our pain? You decide!
