Sunday: Ammon & Moab: Ezekiel 25:1-11
The Ammonites and Moabites were related to Israel through Lot, Abraham’s nephew. Ammon and Moab were born out of incestuous relations between Lot and his two daughters (Genesis 19:29-38). Despite their relationship to Israel, these nations had a deep-seated hatred against them. In many of these judgment oracles, God gave the “because” reason, and then the “therefore” of judgment. Ammon had joined with Moab in attacking Judah, although they were soundly defeated (2 Chronicles 20). They rejoiced when Jerusalem was besieged and destroyed by Babylon, but it would be the Babylonians that God would use to eventually destroy them! Moab was a proud nation who believed themselves to be geographically impregnable, being located in the high mountains east of the Dead Sea. Still, God used the Assyrians to totally obliterate them from the earth.
Monday: Edom & Philistia: Ezekiel 25:12-17
Edom was also related to Israel—descendants of Jacob’s twin brother, Esau (Genesis 25:30). Sustaining their hatred of Israel through their generations, they also rejoiced over Judah’s fall to Babylon. Obadiah wrote that God would destroy Edom for their treatment of the Jews (Obadiah 1:10-14). Their hatred would lead to their destruction. The Philistines had been Israel’s bitter enemies since Israel entered Canaan. God would send Babylon to overwhelm them and deport their peoples.
Tuesday: Judgment on Tyre: Ezekiel 26:1-21
Four key elements are shown in God’s judgment on the Phoenicians (Tyre and Sidon): (1) destruction’s announcement (Ezekiel 26:1-6); (2) destruction accomplished (Ezekiel 26:7-14); (3) destruction lamented (Ezekiel 26:15-18); and (4) destruction everlasting (Ezekiel 26:19-21).
Wednesday: The Ship of Tyre: Ezekiel 27:1-25
A funeral dirge is used by Ezekiel to ridicule the pride and self-confidence of Tyre’s power and wealth, built and maintained on the strength of its vast sea trade. Tyre’s “ship” was useful and beautiful (Ezekiel 27:1-7), and its crew was “international” (Ezekiel 27:8-11). Tyre tied the nations of the Mediterranean together trade-wise, profiting richly from them all (Ezekiel 27:12-25).
Thursday: Sinking the Ship: Ezekiel 27:26-36
There was never a ship built that couldn’t be sunk, although some have made the claim—such as the great battleships Bismarck and Yamato in WW II (both sunk during the war), and the luxury liner Titanic (sunk on her maiden voyage by colliding with an iceberg). The mocking admiration of Ezekiel 27:1-25 turns to desolation in Ezekiel 27:26-36, as Tyre’s powerful trade “ship” is shattered and lost in the heart of the sea.
Friday: Tyre’s Ruler(s): Ezekiel 28:1-19
It seems that two different persons are addressed: Tyre’s prince (Ezekiel 28:1-10), and Tyre’s king (Ezekiel 28:11-19). The prince (called a man, Ezekiel 28:2), would be destroyed by foreign invaders (Ezekiel 28:7-10), while its king (called the “anointed cherub,” Ezekiel 28:14) would be punished directly by God (Ezekiel 28:16-19). The prince’s demise is from pride in his wisdom and wealth (Ezekiel 28:3-5). The king is identified as a “cherub” (Ezekiel 28:4, 16), and what is written about him has led many to apply these scriptures to the fallen angel, Lucifer (Satan), whose downfall was also from pride (see Isaiah 14:14).
Saturday: Sidon, and Promises to Israel: Ezekiel 28:20-26
For their conflicts with Israel, Sidon would now be judged (Ezekiel 28:20-23). Having dealt with Israel’s immediate neighbors, God promises Judah’s peace and regathering (Ezekiel 28:24-26).