I AM is the Lord

Earlier this week, I read an Old Testament story about Naaman, a commander in the Aramean army who had leprosy. He heard about Elisha, a prophet in Samaria, and asked if he could go to request healing. The king of Aram sent him to the king of Israel with a letter and gifts. The king claimed he was not God who could heal or restore life. Elisha asked the king to send Naaman to him. Through a messenger, Elisha told Naaman to wash seven times in the Jordan River. Once Naaman agreed to follow instructions, he was healed. He vowed to worship the Lord, even back in his home land.¹

In The Story of Stories, Karen Hinckley summarized it this way, “this adversary of Israel went away with such respect for the God of Israel that he took back some dirt in order to worship Him on His native soil. It was a disgrace: the glory of Yahweh was under the noses of Israel’s leaders every day, and they failed to perceive it, while a foreigner was overcome by it on his first encounter.”²

Throughout Scripture, the Lord reveals Himself to all nations. He is the One True God, I AM who wants to be present with all the people He created.

In this section of Ezekiel, God reveals Himself through His judgment of Israel’s enemies. For any individuals within those countries—all who might choose to repent and follow the Lord—they would know I AM [is] the Lord.

The prophecies the Lord gave Ezekiel were against Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia. Ammon, Moab, and Edom lay east of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea. The Philistines occupied the coastal plain to the west of Judah.

The prophecies share common themes. To describe the desolation and destruction these nations would experience at God’s hand,  Ezekiel used two different words to describe “desolate” and two different words for “destroy.” He also said Ammon would perish, and Edom (as well as Israel) would experience God’s vengeance. The prophecy against Edom illustrated God’s anger, fury, judgment, and offense at the nations’ guilt before the Lord.

Read Ezekiel 25:1-7.

• Specifically to Ammon, Ezekiel said they were to listen and obey the word of the Lord.
• Because they rejoiced with evil motives over the desecration of the Lord’s sanctuary in Jerusalem, God would completely destroy them.³
• They rejoiced when Israel was destroyed and the people were carried off into exile.
• God gave them over to Babylon to invade and possess.
• Rabbah was an Ammonite city that would become “a pile of ruins.”⁴
• Then they would know I AM the Lord.
• Their rejoicing over Israel’s downfall showed their malicious hearts.
• God would stretch out His hand and in His strength He would make Ammon plunder for other nations.
• He would cut off Ammon and destroy them.
• The word for “cut off” may also mean “make a covenant.” I wonder if God intended any irony here.
• By these things, you will know that I AM the Lord.
• They would experience His Active Presence judging their words and actions.
• Their consequences would be death and destruction.

How do malice, contempt, and evil motives lead to Ammon’s punishment?

What consequences might we face when we don’t listen and obey the word of the Lord?

How might this prophecy lead someone to know God more and repent?

Read Ezekiel 25:8-11.

• Moab and Seir both rejoiced in Jerusalem’s downfall.⁵
• They said Israel had become like other nations, since it appeared Yahweh hadn’t protected them any more than other nations.⁵
• Seir may refer to a mountain or mountainous range between Moab and Edom.
• Possibly the people in that area despised Israel and also identified with Edom.⁶
• God would expose Moab to their enemies, starting with their most prized towns.
• He would also give Moab to the people in the east, along with Ammon.
• Moab’s punishment would be like Ammon’s; they would be completely destroyed and known no more.
• Then Moab would know that I AM the Lord.

Why did Moab and Seir rejoice in Jerusalem’s downfall?

What unique characteristics of this prophecy might lead someone to know God and repent?

Read Ezekiel 25:12-14.

• Edom had a long history of hostility toward Israel, and God declared them guilty.
• He would “judge those who have acted with vengeance toward His people.”⁷
• He would completely destroy Edom, the land and the people, so it would be desolate, “ruined by the judgment of God.”⁸
• Israel was both the object and tool of the Lord’s vengeance and wrath.
• God said Edom would specifically know [His] vengeance.
• As if Edom should already know I AM is the Lord.

How would you describe Edom’s history of hostility toward Israel?

Why should Edom already know I AM is the Lord, and why would God state they would specifically know His vengeance?

Read Ezekiel 25:15-17.

• The Lord listed several reasons He would stretch out His hand against the Philistines.

*They acted in vengeance

*They took revenge with malicious hearts.

*They sought to destroy Judah with lingering hatred.

• God would destroy those remaining in Philistine territory [the seacoast].
• He would punish them severely in His wrath.
• When the Lord took great vengeance on them, then they will know that I AM the Lord.

If anyone from nations near Israel had any doubt, His judgment on Israel’s enemies would reveal I AM is the One True God.

Why did the Philistines also have long-term hostility against Judah?

What does God’s judgment on Israel’s enemies reveal about His character?

How might this lead individuals to worship the One True God?

 

1. 2 Kings 5:1-19
2. Karen C. Hinkley. The Story of Stories: The Bible in Narrative Form. (Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1991), 124
3. Warren Baker, D.R.E., Eugene Carpenter, Ph.D. The Complete WordStudy Dictionary: Old Testament. (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2003), 253, 342, 1164
4. Baker, 1030
5. Bible Hub. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/ezekiel/25-8.htm
6. Baker, 1181
7. Ibid., 752
8. Ibid., 375