Ezekiel 25–30: Nations & Judgments

Read the Bible in 2011 ◊ Week 28: Friday

“And there will be no more for the house of
Israel a prickling brier or a painful thorn
from any round about them who scorned them;
then they will know that I am the Lord GOD.”

“‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and will manifest My holiness in them in the sight of the nations, then they will live in their land which I gave to My servant Jacob. They will live in it securely; and they will build houses, plant vineyards and live securely when I execute judgments upon all who scorn them round about them. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God.”’”
Ezekiel 28:24–26

Friday’s Bible reading is Ezekiel 25–30. These chapters begin Ezekiel’s prophecies against the nations that will continue through chapter 32. G. R. Beasley-Murray writes in his introduction to this section of Ezekiel:

“The denunciations of Jerusalem are now complete. Before recounting his predictions of restoration (33–48), the prophet inserts this group of oracles against Israel’s enemies (although some of them belong to a later date) to indicate that all hostile powers must be broken before Israel could be resuscitated in glory.”¹

As you read look for the word because that introduces the reasons for judgment: the deeds committed against Israel and their attitude towards God. A phrase to watch for is they will know that I am the Lord, the conclusion all nations will come to as they see and know God’s acts.

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Isaiah 42 Photograph: ChristianPhotos.net – Free High Resolution Photos for Christian Publication
¹G. R. Beasley-Murray, “Ezekiel,” The New Bible Commentary: Revised, D. Guthrie,
J. A. Motyer, eds., A. M. Stibbs, D. J. Wiseman, contributing eds., p. 676.