CHAP. XXV. Prophecies against Ammon, 1-7; Moab and Edom, 8-14; and Philistia, 15-17.
eat thy fruit, and they shall drink thy milk 5 And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels, and the Ammonites a couching
T HE word of the Lord came again place for flocks; and ye shall know that I unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, set a thy face against the Ammonites, and prophesy against them;
3 And say unto the Ammonites, Hear the word of the Lord GoD; Thus saith the
Lord God, Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it was desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity;
4 Behold, therefore I will deliver thee to the men of the east for a possession; and they shall set their palaces in thee, and make their dwellings in thee: they shall
a 6:2. 20:46. 21:2. 35:2,
* Heb. children. Judg. 6:3,33. b 21:28-32. Gen. 19:38. Jer. 7:12. 8:10. 1 Kings 4:30.
9:25,26. 25:21,27. 27:3.491-d Gen. 29:1. Num. 23:7. Is. 6. Am. 1:13-15. Zeph. 2:8 -11.
с 6,8. 26:2. 35:10-15. 36:2. Prov. 17:5. Lam. 1:21,22. 4: 21. Mic. 7:8.
41:2.
e Lev. 26:16. Deut. 28:33,51. Judg. 6:3-6. Is. 1:7. 62:8,9.
65:22.
earthly comforts; and should continually be seeking for grace, to enable us properly to bear such separating strokes: yet we may be sure that our sovereign God will not take our relatives from us, without some wise and good reason.
But should he see it conducive to his own glory, to our good, or the good of our brethren, to make us examples of suffering affliction and of patience: if our hearts be in a proper frame, we shall say, "Thy will be done;" and shall find "his grace sufficient for us." Nature must indeed feel exquisitely: but Christians should be careful not to "sorrow as men without hope," or to copy the vehement language and expressions of grief, which are in use among those "who know not God:" and ministers especially should always endeavor so to moderate their passions on trying occasions, that they may be instructive examples to the numbers, who have their eyes upon them.
They must not deviate from their duty to follow the fashions of a vain world: nor is it expedient to omit their work on account of personal troubles; for it has often been observed, ed, that their words on such occasions have proved peculiarly useful to the hearers. Every dispensation of Providence, and every action of the eminent servants of God, should lead us to inquire what we may learn from them; and it is very desirable, that the conduct of ministers should excite the people to hear the word of God from them.
His ordinances, and the welfare of his church, should be dearer to our hearts than our nearest relatives: for they are "the excellency of the strength," and the most honorable and joyful distinction of every nation, which truly values them. But when men abuse and pollute divine institutions by their crimes, and yet confide in the outward
am the LORD.
worm dieth not, and their fire is not quenched?" ( Note , Mark 9:43--50.) Blessed be God, we need not thus pine away in any of our present afflictions: for should all comforts fail, and all sorrows combine against us, yet the broken heart and the mourner's prayer are always accepted before our God. Mourning before him, confessing our sins, and seeking his help and grace; we need not despond, and shall not be left comfortless, in any situation during life, or in the approaching agonies of death.
NOTES.
CHAP. XXV. V. 2. 'Look thou towards 'the coast of the Ammonites, and in this posture 'do thou prophesy against them.' Bp . Hall ( Marg . Ref . a.- Note , 6:2,3.)
V. 3-7. The enmity of the Ammonites, Moabites, and Edomites against the Jews, seems to have originated from ancient competitions, and from covetous desires of their possessions; but it was augmented by their hatred of God and of his worship. ( Marg . Ref . b, c. Notes , Ps . 83:1-8.) They therefore rejoiced over the profanation and destruction of the temple, as well as over the miseries of the people and the desolation of the land: and they expressed their insulting triumph in the most indecent manner; as if they meant to encourage the Chaldeans in the work of carnage and destruction. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref i, k.) The Lord therefore reminded them, (for it is probable that these predictions would be sent to them, or heard of by them,) that he was about to deliver them also into the hands ot their enemies to be destroyed. (See on Notes 21:28-32.)-It is likely, that Nebuchadnezzar subjugated the Ammonites some time after the
form, as entitling them to acceptance and pro-destruction of Jerusalem: that the Arabians,
tection; the Lord will take away these privileges, or pour contempt upon them. Yet after all the scriptural examples of this truth, men still continue to confide and glory in externals, while they hate the power of godliness! But if the case of sinners, under great temporal calaınities, who remain unhumbled and desperate, and pine away in their iniquities, be very dreadful; what will be the case of those, who are cast into that place, "where their Vor IV. 69
and other nations to the east of Judah, took possession of their cities and enjoyed the fruit of their lands: and that they made Rabbah their head-quarters, and there kept their camels and folded their flocks, of which they possessed vast multitudes. The Ammonites have long since perished from being a distinct nation: and the performance of these predictions was suited to convince the survivors, that JEHOVAH was indeed the only living and true [545
8 Thus saith the Lord GoD; Because || Edom, and will cut off man and beast from that Moab and Seir do say, Behold, it; and I will make it desolate from d Teman; the house of Judah is like unto all the and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword. heathen:
o Num. 24:17,18. Ps. 83:4-8. Jer. 25:21.
Is. 15: 16: 25:10.
48: Am. 2:1-3.
11.
Zeph. 2:8
p 12-14. 35: Deut. 2:5. Is. 34: 63:1-6. Jer. 27:3. 49:7-22. Am. 2:11,12. Ob. 1,&c.
q Is. 10:9-11. 36:18-20.
* Or, shoulder.
r Josh. 13:20.
s Num. 32:37,38. Josh. 13:17, 19. Jer. 48:23.
1 4.
Ammon. 2-7.
u 21:32. Ps. 83:3-6. Is. 23:16. x 17. 5:8,10,15. 11:9. 16:41. 30: 14,19, 39:21. Ps. 9:16. 149:7. Jude 15.
y Jer. 9:25,26. 25:21. 48: z 5. 35:15.
a 8. 35: 2 Chr. 28:17. Ps. 137: 7. Jer. 49:7,&c.
Heb. revenging revengement. Gen. 27:41,42. Am. 1:11,12. Ob. 10-16.
b 7,16. Is. 34: 63:1-6. Lam.
† Or, against the children of 4:21,22. Mal. 1:3,4.
God.-'By the men of the east must be meant 'the Chaldeans. (21:19,20.) Ammon is like'wise reckoned among these countries, which God foretold by Jeremiah should be delivered 'into the hands of the king of Babylon. ( Jer . 25: '21.)' Lowth . ( Marg . Ref.d -h.)
V. 8. Judah had been distinguished from other nations, by the peculiar protection of JEHOVAH, as well as by the temple, and the worship there performed: but their idolatries had rendered them in these respects like the other nations; and their calamities, terminating in the destruction of their city and temple, seemed to indicate, that the Lord either could not or would not protect them any longer. Thus they appeared to be made like to the heathen; and Moab and Edom were greatly rejoiced at it. ( Marg . Ref . Notes , 9-11.)
V. 9. I will make a passage for his enemies 'to invade his frontier-cities, and from thence 'to possess themselves of the best of his coun'try.' Lowth . ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . r, s.)
14 And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger, and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord GOD.
15 Thus saith the Lord GoD; & Because the Philistines have dealt by revenge, and have taken vengeance with a despiteful heart, to destroy it " for the old hatred;
16 Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Behold, * I will stretch out mine hand upon the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethims, and destroy the remnant of the sea-coasts.
с 14:8,13,17,19-21. 29:8. Gen. 6:7. Jer. 7:20.
d Gen. 36:11. Jer. 49:7,20. Ob. 9. Hab. 3:3.
Or, shall fall by the sword unto Dedan. Jer. 25:23. 49:8. e Gen. 27:29. Is. 11:14. 63:1, &c. Jer. 49:2.
f Deut. 32:35,36. Ps. 58:10,11. Nah. 1:2-4. Heb. 10:30,31. Rev. 6:16,17.
g 6,12. Is. 14:29-31. Jer. 25: 20. 47: Joel 3:4. Am. 1:6-8. Zeph. 2:4-7. Zech. 9:5-8.
h 2 Chr. 28:18. Ps. 83:7. Is. 9: 12.
i Judg. 14:-16: 1 Sam. 4:-6: 13: 14: 17: 31: 2 Sam. 8: 1 Chr. 7:21.
|| Or, with perpetual hatred. k 7,13.
1 1 Sam. 50:14. 2 Sam. 15:18 Zeph. 2:5. Cherethites.
Or, haven of the sea. m 11. 5:15.
** Heb. vengeances. n 5,11,14. 6:7. Ps. 9:16.
blessing to Jacob in preference to Esau; Jacob had grievously offended Esau by his conduct in that matter; and Esau's resentment had been transmitted to his posterity. The Israelites and Jews had also obtained many advantages over the Edomites; who watched their opportunity of taking vengeance for them, when the Jews were in distress, and especially when they were crushed by the power of the Chaldeans: but in so doing they highly offended the God of Israel, and brought his terrible vengeance upon themselves. ( Marg . Ref. Notes , 35: Gen. 27:36-42. Num . 20:14—21.24: 17-19. 2 Sam . 8:12—14. Ps . 137:7-9, v . 7. Is . 34:63:1-6. Jer. 49:7-22. Joel 3:18-21, ν . 19. Am . 1:11,12. Ob . 1-21. Mal . 1:2-5.)
V. 14. Marg . Ref . By the hand , &c.] Judas Maccabæus, and afterwards Hyrcanus vanquished the Edomites, and at length reduced them entirely into subjection to the Jews: and thus that revengeful nation was made to know the vengeance of God, by the hand of his people Israel.
V. 10, 11. "With the sons of Ammon, I have even given it for a possession to the sons of the east; in order that the sons of Ammon may no longer be remembered among the nations. And I will, &c."-The ruin of Moab would deprive the Ammonites of every resource, and be one means of their sinking into neglect and oblivion. Thus both Ammon and Moab, who were nearly related, and generally supported each other, would be desolated together by the same powerful enemies. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . Gen. 19:31-38, υυ . 37,38. Notes , 1 Sam . 11:1-3. 2 Sam . 10:2—14. 12:26--8, v . 4. Am . 1;6-8. Zech . 9:5,6.) 31. Is . 11:11—16, v . 14. 15: 16: Jer . 48: 49:1-6. Am . 1:13-15. 2:1-3. Zeph . 2:8-10.)
V. 15. The Philistines were a remnant of the old inhabitants of Canaan; and from the days of Joshua they had hated Ísrael, and haa been for ages very formidable enemies: but, having been at length reduced, they were not able to express their old hatred, till the Jews were subdued by the Chaldeans; and then they assisted them to cut off the fugitives. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref . Notes , Judg . 3:31. 10. 6-9. 13:1. 14:-16: 1 Sam . 4: 13:—18:31:2 Sam . 5:17,18. 8:1. Is . 14:28–32. Jer . 47: Joel 3:3
V. 12, 13. The Lord had given the peculiar
V. 16. Cherethims, &c.] Either the Cherethims were a tribe of the ancient Canaanites, bordering on the Philistines; or this is merely
another name, by which the Philistines were known. "The remnant" seems to mean the inhabitants of Ashdod, which had been almost entirely destroyed. ( Marg . and Marg . Ref.2 Sam . 15:18-22. Zeph . 2:5-7.)
PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. The hatred which ungodly men bear to true religion is so excessive, that they can rejoice in the desolations of the church, and the calamities of her children, even when ruin impends over them from the same quarter!-Though God acts with perfect wisdom and justice, in permitting the profanation of his sanctuary, and the troubles of his professed worshippers, being influenced by abhorrence of their sins, and zeal for his own glory; yet their enemies are induced by far other motives, when they triumph and insult over them in such circumstances. Those who rejoice at the calamities of their neighbors, out of avarice, ambition, re
will cause & many nations to come up against thee, h as the sea causeth his waves to come up.
4 And they shall destroy the walls of Tyrus, and break down her towers: * I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock.
5 It shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea: for I have spoken it , saith the Lord Gon; and it shall become a spoil to the nations.
6 And her daughters which are in the field shall be slain by the sword; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
g Mic. 4:11. Zech. 14:2. h 27:26,32-34. Ps. 93:3,4. 107:
25. Is. 5:30. Jer. 6:23. 51:42. Luke 21:25.
i 9. Is. 23:11. Jer. 5:10. Am. 1:10. Zech. 9:3,4.
k 12. Lev. 14:41-45.
124:7,8.
m 14,19. 47:10.
n 25:7. 29:19.
ο 8. 16:46,48. Jer. 49:2. p 25:7,11,14,17.
would conduce to their advantage: they hoped to draw to themselves the trade with those people, who had been used to frequent the gates of Jerusalem; and thus to be replenished, when she was laid waste.--"There was a great 'confluence of people to Jerusalem from all 'parts at the solemn feasts, ... as well of Jews 'as proselytes.... When Jerusalem was taken, ... the spoil of the city was carried thither' (to Tyre) 'for sale: and probably several of the in'habitants, being made captives, were sold 'there for slaves, a traffic the Tyrians dealt in 'very much. (27:13. Joel 3:4-6.)' Lowth. 'Thus the wicked rejoice at their fall, by whom 'they may have any profit.' ( Marg . Ref . Note , Joel 3:3-8.)
V. 3-6. This chapter and the two following contain a very copious prophecy against Tyre, which was one of the most ancient cities in the world, and for many ages one of the most flourishing; being the centre of commerce be
sentment, or malignity, will be exposed to judg-tween the east and the west, and the grand em
ments for it: but they who rejoice with great delight in the afflictions of God's people, out of hatred to his truth and worship, may expect that he will stretch forth his hands against them, as his personal enemies. Gladly would such persons see the church entirely destroyed, and made, in character and circumstances, like the rest of the world: but, notwithstanding all her corruptions and afflictions, a vast difference still remains, and will continue to the end of the world, and to all eternity.
When rapacious men are about to seize upon the possessions of others, they often are deprived of their own: and such as disdain the afflicted will soon sink into contempt. - "Vengeance belongeth unto God;" they who without his commission revenge themselves, greatly offend, and will be made to know his vengeance: and those who treasure up the old hatred, and watch for their opportunity of manifesting it, are "treasuring up for themselves wrath against the day of wrath, and the revelation of the righteous judgment of God."
porium of the earth. Such predictions have generally been accomplished in a gradual manner: and whilst some signal and near event was particularly foretold; they contained also expressions, which related to more remote futurity.
It had been foretold by Isaiah, that Tyre, after having been destroyed by the Chaldeans, would at length recover her prosperity, and that the Tyrians would be converted to Christianity. ( Notes , Isaiah 23:) The total and final ruin of that city could not be effected, till those prophecies had been fulfilled: yet that also was clearly predicted, and has accordingly been exactly accomplished.
These verses may therefore be interpreted as a summary prediction of those events, which would take place during a long succession of ages: and thus we at this day possess a fuller demonstration, that Ezekiel wrote by divine inspiration, than his contemporaries had; for what man could have thought of so entire a destruction of such a flourishing city, as that which is here predicted, and has accordingly happened?The Lord, being against Tyre, declared that he would "cause many nations to come up against her." This may mean the Chaldean army, composed of troops from several nations: but it seems rather to signify the Chaldeans, Macedonians, and other nations, who succesV.2.
The Tyrians do not seem to have had sively weakened, and at length totally desolatany peculiar enmity against the Jewish re-ed Tyre. These would bear down all before ligion or nation: but they were merchants, them, like an inundation of the sea; and not whose object it was to extend their commerce; only destroy her walls and towers; but even and they supposed, that the ruin of Jerusalem reduce the ground, on which the city stood, to
NOTES.