Proclamation Against Ammon
October 19, 2022
Commentary
Ezekiel had already pronounced judgment on Ammon (21:28-32). Now Ammon was singled out to head the list of nations that would feel the sting of divine judgment (vv. 1-2). Ammon and Israel had been in conflict since the time of Jephthah during the period of the Judges (Jud. 10:6-11:33). David conquered Ammon (1 Chron. 19:1-20:3). Sometime after the death of Solomon the Ammonites regained their independence and renewed their hostilities with Judah. During Jehoshaphat’s reign the Ammonites joined the Moabites and Edomites in an unsuccessful attack on Judah (2 Chron. 20:1-30). Ammon tried to expand her territory at Israel’s expense (Jer. 49:1), and she even sided initially with Nebuchadnezzar in an attempt to gain territory after Jehoiakim’s revolt (2 King 24:1-2).
In 593 b.c. Ammon joined a secret meeting of other potential conspirators to consider rebelling against Babylon (Jer. 27:1-7). That plan did not materialize, but she did unite with Judah and Tyre against Babylon. When Nebuchadnezzar decided to attack Judah instead of Ammon (Ezek. 21:18-27), Ammon was relieved that she had been spared. Instead of coming to Judah’s aid, she rejoiced over Judah’s misfortune, hoping to profit territorially from Judah’s destruction.
Against this background Ezekiel gave this prophecy (vv. 3-7). Twice he repeated his “because/therefore/you will know” formula to show the destruction of Ammon (vv. 3-5, 6-8). Ammon rejoiced over the destruction of the temple (mockingly saying Aha!) and the decimation and exile of the people of Judah. The Ammonites gloated over Judah’s misfortune (v. 6). They rejoiced over Judah’s downfall so they would fall. Ammon would be destroyed by other nations.
Application
The different tribes above were judged by God because they rejoiced in the different calamities that came to the Jews. Lord, help me to never rejoice in the calamities of others I may not like.
Ezekiel 25:1– 7 (NET)
1 The Lord’s message came to me: 2 “Son of man, turn toward the Ammonites and prophesy against them. 3 Say to the Ammonites, ‘Hear the word of the Sovereign Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: You said “Aha!” about my sanctuary when it was desecrated, about the land of Israel when it was made desolate, and about the house of Judah when they went into exile. 4 So take note, I am about to make you slaves of the tribes of the east. They will make camps among you and pitch their tents among you. They will eat your fruit and drink your milk. 5 I will make Rabbah a pasture for camels and Ammon a resting place for sheep. Then you will know that I am the Lord. 6 For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because you clapped your hands, stamped your feet, and rejoiced with intense scorn over the land of Israel, 7 take note—I have stretched out my hand against you, and I will hand you over as plunder to the nations. I will cut you off from the peoples and make you perish from the lands. I will destroy you; then you will know that I am the Lord.’”