SOURCE FOR QUESTIONS
Ezekiel 25:1 through 32:32

‍KEY VERSE FOR MEMORIZATION
“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.” (Ezekiel 25:17)

BACKGROUND

After relaying God’s messages of judgment to the Jewish people in previous chapters, the focus shifts in Ezekiel 25-32 as God directed the prophet to proclaim judgment upon surrounding nations. Oracles were given to seven places — Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon, and Egypt. Brief mention is also made of several additional areas. 

Most of these nations bordered Judah, and they exemplified hostility toward her. God would judge them for their attitudes and aggression against His people, along with their own sins of pride and materialism. Judah’s disobedience had resulted in God’s stern rebuke and the people’s eventual captivity, and God indicated that the punishment of these other nations would be just as severe.

These neighboring countries may not have realized that the recent overthrow of Judah by Babylon was not merely a judgment upon the Jews; it was also a warning to their own countries. Although God had focused first on the sins of His people, He would not ignore the pagan nations around them that had also sinned.

Babylon was not included among the nations addressed in these chapters. While the reason for this is not given, perhaps it was because God was using the Babylonians to execute His judgment. In Ezekiel’s time, Babylon had already or would soon conquer all of these countries. 

These chapters contain several important lessons: 

          • God is sovereign over all people and nations. 

          • God is just. He takes note of evil and punishes it in His own time and way.

          • God sometimes uses unrighteous nations or people as His instruments of judgment.

          • God’s moral law is universal and all will be judged by His standards. 

A recurring theme in these messages is “they shall know that I am the Lord God.” Still today, God wants every person to understand that He is over all and is worthy of obedience, worship, and praise. Every soul will recognize this in eternity. We want to learn from the fate of Judah’s neighbors, and give God His rightful place in our lives.

SUGGESTED RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS‍

1. In chapter 25, Ezekiel delivered messages against Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia. What was the sin of these nations, and what punishment was predicted?

• Ammon (verses 2-7)
• Moab (verses 8-11)
• Edom (verses 12-14)
• Philistia (verses 15-17)
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  Note: You may wish to begin the class discussion with a map showing the proximity of these nations to Judah. 
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  The sin of the people of Ammon was that they rejoiced when Israel and Judah fell and the Temple was desecrated. In verses 4, 5, and 7, God foretold Ammon’s destruction and said that “men of the east” and animals would occupy their land.
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  The Moabites would not recognize Judah as God’s chosen people (verse 8), and they too had rejoiced at the fall of Jerusalem. God’s sentence for them was similar to His judgment upon Ammon (verses 9-11). 
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  The Edomites were descendants of Esau, and were longtime enemies of Israel. Edom was judged for its vengeful attitude toward Judah. God said Edom would be destroyed completely “by the hand of my people Israel” (verse 14).
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  The sin of Philistia was revenge. The Philistines were also longtime enemies of the Israelites. David and the kings after him had been victorious against them, and they had been looking for an opportunity for vengeance, which came when the Babylonians invaded. As a result, God said He would destroy them (verses 15-17). 
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2. The messages of judgment delivered to Edom and Philistia in Ezekiel 25:12-17 include eight instances of the words vengeance and revenge. What is the definition of “vengeance”? How can we avoid God’s vengeance in our lives?
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   Webster’s dictionary says that vengeance is “punishment inflicted in retaliation for an injury or offense.” Point out to your group that there is a difference between human and divine vengeance. Human vengeance may be based on spite, vindictiveness, or rage, and sometimes occurs even when no offense was intended. God’s vengeance, on the other hand, is His righteous anger toward sin expressed by suitable and deserved repayment to the sinner. The punishment will not be more or less than His perfect justice demands. In today’s text, God was going to execute vengeance upon Edom and Philistia for long-held wrong attitudes and actions against His people. 
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   In response to the second question, your group should see that if we want to avoid God’s vengeance in our lives, we must live in a way that is pleasing to Him. This includes having a godly attitude of kindness and forgiveness toward others. As Christians, we are not to seek revenge against those who have wronged us. God says, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19). A spirit of retaliation, an unwillingness to forgive, or bitterness are all spiritually deadly. God’s Word is clear that if we want God to forgive us, we must also extend forgiveness to others. At times, this can be extremely difficult and may take earnestly seeking God’s help. A few members of your class might be willing to share times God has helped them to forgive.
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3. Chapters 26-28 address Tyre, also called Tyrus, which was the capitol of Phoenicia. Built in two sections — part on an island and part on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea — the city was a commercial hub whose mariners were renowned. Greed and materialism were among the sins of Tyre. Its people were self-sufficient and intent upon obtaining wealth and all the pleasures and benefits that riches could buy. As a result, God said Tyre would be demolished. Greed and materialism continue to be a trap in our time. What could be some of the signs of a materialistic focus, and how can we prevent it in our lives?
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   Oxford Languages dictionary defines materialism as “a tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values.” Signs of a materialistic focus could include a preoccupation with money and the things it can buy, an inordinate desire for personal gratification, extravagant spending habits, no practice of self-denial, and a failure to be satisfied but always wanting more. An abundance of material goods can cause people to feel self-sufficient, and dependence upon God may not be given much thought.
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   A great defense against the trap of materialism is the understanding that God is the Giver of all things, including money and material possessions. Christians should exemplify humility and moderation, understanding that everything we have comes from the hand of God. He may have allowed us to have monetary resources, material possessions, or position in society. Yet we must never allow self-gratification or excess to rule our lives. It will be helpful to consider ourselves stewards of what God has entrusted to us rather than owners, and to remember there will be a time of accountability to Him for how we have used what He allowed us to have.
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4. Chapter 27 describes Tyre’s magnificent ships, her adept mariners, and the costly merchandise that she traded. While there was much about the city to admire, God condemned Tyre for boasting, “I am of perfect beauty” (Ezekiel 27:3). The king of Tyre (also called the prince) exemplified pride as well. Ezekiel 28:2 says he considered himself to be a god and believed he had become wealthy by his own wisdom and understanding. Ultimately, pride was what caused God to determine the downfall of Tyre and its king. What is the difference between the pride that God hates and will judge, and a sense of satisfaction about a job well done?
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   The pride that God hates does not honor Him or recognize that He is the Giver of every ability and resource. It focuses on what an individual has done by his own strength and ingenuity. Tyre was an example of this. Chapters 27-28 reveal that the people of Tyre felt they were invincible and glorified their human achievements in defiance of God.
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   In contrast, a sense of satisfaction in a job well done can actually help us glorify God. We can recognize and give thanks because God has given us the ability and the resources to do a good job, and give the glory to Him. If we are grateful to God, we are not focusing on our own abilities. Rather, we are recognizing that His beneficence to us in so many ways is what makes our achievements possible. That allows us to acknowledge a successful endeavor and accept any compliments graciously without being wrongfully proud.
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5. Zidon (also called Sidon) was a Phoenician town about twenty miles north of Tyre. While its sin is not named, Ezekiel 28:24 indicates that disdain for Israel may have been one of its problems. What did the prophecy say would happen to Zidon, and what would the people understand as a result? Ezekiel 28:22-23
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   Zidon would be destroyed, and as a result the people would “know that I am the Lord.” This will be the case for all people of all ages when God pours out final judgment upon this world.
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6. The last few verses of chapter 28 extend a message of hope to the people of Israel. What was the promise given to them? Ezekiel 28:25-26
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   God promised that one day Israel would be restored to the land He had given to their ancestor Jacob, and they would dwell there in safety. While this promise has been partially fulfilled for the Jewish people, the complete fulfillment will come when Jesus Christ rules the world. 
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   It could be encouraging to your students to discuss the importance of hope to us as Christians, and that our ultimate hope is to see God and have Him say, “Well done.” Perhaps some of your students could share occasions when the Lord has given them hope.
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7. Chapters 29-32 contain seven messages of judgment against Egypt. In Ezekiel’s time, Pharoah and the Egyptian empire were mighty forces in the world, second only to Babylon. However, God instructed the prophet to “take up a lamentation for Pharaoh” (32:2) and “wail for the multitude of Egypt” (32:18). In Ezekiel 32:11-12, what did God say would happen to Egypt? Given the many grievous sins of Pharaoh and Egypt, what do you think God’s instruction for Ezekiel to feel sorrow for them reveals about His nature? 
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   Ezekiel 32:11-12 reveals that Egypt would be destroyed. God would judge that nation because of its pride, and it would be conquered by the Babylonians. The prophet also stated that although Egypt would eventually experience some restoration, it would never again attain the same level of power (Ezekiel 29:13-15).
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   In response to the second question, your group should conclude that God does not glory in the judgment of sinners. Ezekiel 18:23 and 33:11 both indicate that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Judgment for sin was determined from the foundation of the world, but God’s mercy allows humanity to live long enough to seek forgiveness, and provided the ultimate remedy in the Messiah.
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8. Egypt had a long history of interaction with Israel, and as a result, the nation had experienced both God’s favor and His judgment. During the time of Joseph, the Egyptians enjoyed the benevolence and blessing of God. Years later, when Pharoah and his people hardened their hearts against God during the time of Moses, God sent judgment in the form of devastating plagues and the eventual drowning of the Egyptian army in the Red Sea. In Ezekiel’s time, the Egyptians had watched God’s judgment unfold upon the nation of Judah. Egypt should have understood that rebellion against God always brings consequences. In our day, many people have heard the Gospel, yet do not follow God’s instructions. How can we learn from the Egyptians and be sure that we heed what God says? And how can we encourage others, including the unsaved, to heed also?
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   Your class will have suggestions of steps we can take to make sure we heed God’s instructions. Their lists may include:

• Ask God to give us a love for the truth.
• Study the Bible and pray.
• Heed the checks of the Spirit, even the smallest ones.
• Fellowship with like-minded believers.
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  Your class will also have suggestions of how we can encourage others, including the unsaved, to follow God. Their thoughts may include that if our hearts are focused on God and His Spirit is dwelling in us, others will see that in our lives. A day-by-day Christian life under every circumstance can be a great testimony to the unsaved. When we have opportunity, we want to share the Gospel with others, including by giving our own testimonies. 

CONCLUSION

The Bible says that all nations and people will one day be humbled before God, and only the righteous will enjoy His eternal blessings. The judgments that fell upon the nations in today’s text should both warn and encourage all those who honor God.