Chapter xxv.
A new section begins with this chapter. The prophet is now made the
mouthpiece of Jehovah to utter prophecies concerning other nations. Two
years after the message of the preceding chapter, the news came to
Ezekiel announcing the fall of the city and after that, Ezekiel received
the greater messages concerning Israel and her glorious future. The
prophecies contained in chapters xxv-xxxii concerning the nations which
came in touch with Israel were delivered at different times. See the
dates in chapters xxvi:1, xxix:1, 17, xxx:20, xxxi:1 and xxxii:1, 17.
The predictions concern just seven nations, and these are divided into
four and three. The first four were the immediate neighbors of Israel.
Then come larger prophecies against Tyre, with a message on the future
return of Israel against Sidon and Egypt; Assyria is also mentioned.
Isaiah, Jeremiah and Amos likewise received similar messages against the
same nations. Their guilt is uncovered and their judgment and overthrow
makes the way for Israel's blessing and peace. While these judgments
have had a partial, past fulfilment, the complete fulfilment is yet to
come, for the prophetic Word shows that the nations who have sinned
against Jehovah and His people will be judged in a coming day, when
Israel will be restored and be blest. Such is evident when we read the
gracious, still future promises to His earthly people. See chapters
xxviii:24-26 and xxix:21. These unfulfilled promises concerning Israel's
restoration as well as spiritual prosperity make it clear that these
judgments hold a definite relation to future events.