with meditations by my mother, Poetess Gertrude Sanborn
September 6
Ezekiel
24:25–Ezekiel 28:9
DESTRUCTION OF THE AMMONITES
Ezekiel 25:2
"Son of man, set
they face against the AMMONITES, and prophesy"
"Speaking broadly,the
purpose of Ezekiel’s ministry was to keep before the
generation born in exile the national sins which had
brought Israel so low (Ezekiel 14:23) to sustain the
faith of the exiles by predictions of national
restoration, of the execution of justice upon their
oppressors, and of national glory under the Davidic
monarchy." (The SCOFIELD STUDY BIBLE, 1917 edition,
Authorized King James Version) And they shall comfort
you, when ye see their ways and their doings: and ye
shall know that I have not done without cause all that I
have done in it, saith the Lord GOD.
What was the way that God punished
His people? It was from Nebuchadnezzar’s triumph over
Jerusalem. The Conqueror bided his time. He slowly
starved out the people of Judah–eventually surrounding
the city and battering it to submission As you remember,
the best of the land were taken to Babylon. Among those
captives was Daniel.
Many of the surrounding countries, or
people groups, had been tortuous to Israel, too. This
did not go without the notice of Israel’s God! In
today’s reading, we see those nations that suffered,
along with Jerusalem. They were petrified, pilfered, and
persecuted.
The AMMONITES were first mentioned in
Ezekiel 25:2. The prophet prophesied at them. They, too,
had profaned the Lord God’s Sanctuary. They clapped
their hands with happiness at every offense they
committed against Israel. But God was going to punish
then in due time. He promised, "I will deliver thee
to the men of the East!" Their capital city would be
ravished. It would become a stable for camels, and their
community would be a resting place for flocks of sheep.
For sure–the Ammonites would know that God was the LORD!
Who were these AMMONITES? If you
remember, Lot’s daughters tricked their father with wine
and drunkenness. They both became "with child" on
two separate nights with him. This was a shameful thing
for them to do! Lot was a stupid man to succumb to such
devices. Ammon was a product of that sinful behavior. He
was a nomad, and so were all his children. Their
language was similar to Hebrew. KING SOLOMON was a bad
example when he married Ammonite women. In fact,
Rehoboam’s mother was one.
If you remember, Ammon came upon many
giants in the land. Those tall, frightening people were
called ZAMZUMMIMS. God destroyed them, so the Ammonites
could live in the land promised to them by God. He
protected them, in measure-–I think--because of Lot
being Abraham’s nephew. Israel was forbidden to molest
the Ammonites, but often the AMMONITES yoked up with
other nations to hurt Israel. Sometime they partnered
with Moab, with Amalek, with the Syrians, and with Gebal
against Israel and Judah. There was a continual
hostility between Israel and Ammon!
They had kings. Their god was MOLECH
(MILCOM). Their capital was RABBAH–sometimes called
Philadelphia. They had their share of military
conflicts. Once they helped the Syrians against
SHALMANESER II (854 B.C.). In THE NEW UNGER’S BIBLE
DICTIONARY, we learned that, eventually, AMMON was
swallowed up by Rome in about 150 A.D. In JUSTIN
MARTYR’s time, the AMMONITES were numerous. In the days
of ORIGEN (about 186-254) they merged with the ARABS.
Yes, the destructions promised to the
AMMONITES came to pass as Ezekiel had said. (See Ezekiel
25:5,10; Zephaniah 2:9.) Today, there are only ruins-–a
"perpetual desolation" where once they lived.
There are no villages or signs of civilization in their
land. "I WILL DESTROY THEE. . ." was God’s
promise. THOSE WHO TOUCH ISRAEL SHOULD FEAR! Though
Judah be disobedient, and need punishing, God will judge
those who are not kind to her himself! (ysw)
"
BEAUTIFUL LIFE"
"It is a
beautiful life to grow old gracefully,
To grow every
day more and more like Christ.
This is the
privilege of age."
(Copied)
It is a
comforting fact that God has kept you safe theses many
years.
That He has kept
you from sin, from disease, from accidents.
Or is it an
accident?
Looking back
from youth to old age, God has been my Keeper always!
I am in awe!
IT IS A
SATISFYING FACT, AND ONE THAT KEEPS ME SINGING
THAT HE MAY COME
SOON,
OR IF I LEAVE
BEFORE THAT EVENT, HIS WAY IS BEST, EVEN IN OLD AGE.
(ggs)
And Sarah
heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he
said, Behold, in the tent. And he said, I will certainly
return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo,
Sarah thy wife shall have a son. (Genesis 18:10)
AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE:
Make plans now to attend the 33rd annual meeting of the Dean Burgon Society.
The theme of this years conference is the four hundred anniversary of the King
James Bible. The date for the meeting is July 27-28, 2011. The place
is Collingswood, New Jersey. This is a meeting you do not want to miss.
Please arrange your schedule to be there in person. To view the 2010
conference please follow this link: http://www.deanburgonsociety.org/Videos/dbs2010.htm
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