Ammon:
and say to the sons of Ammon, 'Hear the word of the Lord GOD! Thus says the Lord GOD, "Because you said, 'Aha!' against My sanctuary when it was profaned, and against the land of Israel when it was made desolate, and against the house of Judah when they went into exile, (Ezekiel 25:3 NASB)

Moab:
'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Because Moab and Seir say, 'Behold, the house of Judah is like all the nations,' (Ezekiel 25:8 NASB)

Edom:
'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Because Edom has acted against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and has incurred grievous guilt, and avenged themselves upon them," (Ezekiel 25:12 NASB)

Philistia:
'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Because the Philistines have acted in revenge and have taken vengeance with scorn of soul to destroy with everlasting enmity," (Ezekiel 25:15 NASB)

Tyre:
"Son of man, because Tyre has said concerning Jerusalem, 'Aha, the gateway of the peoples is broken; it has opened to me. I shall be filled,  now that  she is laid waste,' (Ezekiel 26:2 NASB)

Do you notice a common thread throughout all of the judgement against the nations? It is not primarily because of their idolatry or injustice or other evils that God judges them but because they gloated at the destruction of Judah. This is in keeping with God's covenant with Abraham: "I will bless those who bless you. And I will curse those who curse you" (Genesis 12:3).

I've commented on this last year, but let me add this to my thoughts from then. The seriousness of sin is not in its inherent wickedness but rather in its offense to God. Some sins seem particularly ugly, cruel and distatesful to us; however, the true heinousness of sin is not in these things but in how they violate God's command, profane His Name, or stand contrary to God's purposes. It is not our reaction that matters but God's perspective. This is what we must understand. As I've written before, we have a much too high view of ourselves, as if our perspective counts for a lot. It does not. What matters is what God thinks. 

So although Israel and Judah were being judged by God for their sins, they were still God's people. Let all the people's of the world acknowledge this. Though Israel's policies today may seem wrong to us, let us keep in mind that they are still God's people. Therefore, let us not follow the folly of these nations of old that have long since ceased to exist in keeping with God's judgment on them. Let us bless God's people and not curse them. Let us seek their restoration and not their destruction. But more than all this, let us always acknowledge and honor the Name of the LORD, whether it be in obeying His commands, praying for His people, or simply humbling ourselves in readiness to do His wll.

God's judgments on many different neighboring countries of Israel and Judah are pronounced in today's text. I was drawn to what God said about Tyre. Tyre was a city of wealth by trade and full of pride as you can see in what the city dwellers say-“I am perfect in beauty.” I think money does two things to our depraved mind-either numbing our sense to corruption which leads to indifference to God or, worse than the numbing, taking pride in the wealth that we hoarded. God says He will take away everything instantly that we have and makes us think we are invincible. Let us humble ourselves before Him and be thankful for His unceasing faithfulness in our redemption. Sometimes I'm wondering why many people tenaciously cling to our free will when it comes to redemption of our souls. What good can we see in us unless His mercy covers us? I don't trust my free will because I know that I wouldn't choose God. That's why my day starts and ends with doxology!!! May His Name be glorified.

In Ezekiel 25-27 the prophet proclaims oracles against the nations that looked upon the judgment of Israel and Judah with disdain. Several of the nations mentioned were historically related to Israel. For instance, Ammon and Moab were nations descended from Lot, who was the nephew of Abraham. Edom was descended from Esau, who was Jacob 's (i.e. Israel) brother. The Philistines were long-time enemies of Israel. And Tyre was once s great trading partner with Israel in the days of David and Solomon. All these nations would be judged because they either celebrated or participated in the suffering and destruction of God's people. This is in keeping with God's eternal covenant with Abraham, where He promised, "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse" (Genesis 12:3). These nations, by their attitudes and actions, were cursing God's people, and in doing so, they were ensuring severe judgment on themselves. Even though God was judging Israel and Judah for their sins, they were still God's chosen people, and by virtue of this relationship they were holy to the LORD. This is the reason why David did not harm Saul, even though he had ample opportunity. Saul was God's anointed king; therefore, David would neither harm Saul nor celebrate the harm that would later come upon Saul. He was God's anointed. 

As Israel had this promise of God's retribution toward those that would harm them, the church has a similar promise. We read in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17,

Do you not know that you [plural you, so not talking about the temple of your body here as elsewhere] are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.

"Holy" means set apart to God. Saul was holy because he was God's anointed king. Israel was holy because they were God's chosen people. We, as the church, are holy because we constitute the body of Christ.

As a practical application, I am reminded that holiness and this kind of retributive protection have really nothing to do with us and everything to do with God. We are holy because we are related to God. We are honored because God has chosen us to be His people. When we honor God's servants, we should do so because we honor God. We value what God values. So, let us order our lives around this principle. What is God interested in? Let us make that our chief interest. What pleases Him? Where does He work? What gives Him the highest glory? Shouldn't we order our lives around these things?