Judgment on Ammon
Study note
The Ammonites, who lived east of the Jordan River, had cheered when the Jerusalem temple was destroyed and the people of Judah went into exile. Because they said 'Aha!' over God's sanctuary, God would hand their land over to the people of the East (desert nomads). Their capital Rabbah would become a pasture for camels, and they would cease to be a nation.
1 The Lord spoke to me. The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying,
2 "Son of man, face the people of Ammon and prophesy against them." Son of man, set thy face against the Ammonites, and prophesy against them;
3 "Tell the Ammonites: Listen to what the Lord God says! Because you gloated and said 'Ha ha!' when my temple was defiled, when Israel's land was devastated, and when Judah's people were dragged off into exile," 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 "I am going to hand your territory over to the desert peoples from the east. They will set up camp in your land and pitch their tents among you. They will eat your produce and drink your milk." 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 eat thy fruit, and they shall drink thy milk.
5 "I will turn your capital Rabbah into a pasture for camels and the rest of your land into grazing fields for flocks. Then you will realize that I am the Lord." And I will make Rabbah a stable for camels, and the Ammonites a couchingplace for flocks: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
6 "The Lord God says: Because you clapped your hands and danced with glee, pouring out your hatred against the land of Israel," For thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast clapped thine hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced in heart with all thy despite against the land of Israel;
7 "I will raise my hand against you and let foreign nations plunder you. I will erase you from among the peoples and wipe your nation off the map. I will destroy you completely. Then you will know that I am the Lord." Behold, therefore I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and will deliver thee for a spoil to the heathen; and I will cut thee off from the people, and I will cause thee to perish out of the countries: I will destroy thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.
Judgment on Moab
Study note
Moab, south of Ammon, had said that Judah was just like all the other nations, nothing special. By saying this, they denied that God had any special relationship with his people. God would open up Moab's borders to invaders, and they would share the same fate as Ammon.
8 The Lord God says: "Because Moab and Seir said, 'Look -- Judah is nothing special. They are just like every other nation,'" Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Moab and Seir do say, Behold, the house of Judah is like unto all the heathen;
9 "I will rip open Moab's border guards, starting with its best border cities: Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon, and Kiriathaim." Therefore, behold, I will open the side of Moab from the cities, from his cities which are on his frontiers, the glory of the country, Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon, and Kiriathaim,
10 "I will hand Moab and Ammon to the desert peoples from the east. Those peoples will own them. Ammon will not be recalled among the nations again." Unto the men of the east with the Ammonites, and will give them in possession, that the Ammonites may not be remembered among the nations.
11 "I will execute judgment on Moab. Then they will recognize that I am the Lord." And I will execute judgments upon Moab; and they shall know that I am the LORD.
Judgment on Edom
Study note
Edom, descended from Esau (Jacob's brother), had taken revenge on Judah during its fall. The Edomites had a long history of hostility toward Israel. God would stretch out his hand against Edom, destroy its people and animals, and use his own people Israel to carry out his vengeance.
12 The Lord God says: "Edom took bitter, cruel revenge on the people of Judah. In doing so, they piled up huge guilt." Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them;
13 the Lord God says: "I will raise my hand against Edom and wipe out its people and animals. I will turn it into a wasteland. From Teman to Dedan, they will fall by the sword." Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword.
14 "I will use my people Israel to carry out my vengeance on Edom. They will act on my behalf, driven by my anger and fury. Then Edom will experience my vengeance firsthand, says the Lord God." 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.
Judgment on Philistia
Study note
The Philistines, ancient enemies of Israel on the Mediterranean coast, had acted in revenge with bitter hatred, trying to destroy Israel. God would cut off the Cherethites (a Philistine group) and destroy those remaining along the coast. His vengeance would teach them that he is the Lord.
15 The Lord God says: "The Philistines acted out of spite. They took cruel revenge because of an old hatred. They wanted to destroy." 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 the Lord God says: "I am raising my hand against the Philistines. I will cut off the Cherethites and wipe out whoever remains along the coast." 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 coast.
17 "I will carry out devastating vengeance against them with fierce punishment. When my vengeance falls on them, they will know that I am the Lord." And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.