Ezekiel 25: Don't Celebrate When Others Struggle
In Ezekiel chapter 25, we encounter a profound spiritual truth that challenges our natural human tendencies: God's judgment against those who celebrate the suffering of others. This chapter marks a shift in the book of Ezekiel, as the prophet begins to focus on God's judgment against the nations surrounding Israel who had mocked, celebrated, and taken advantage of Israel's downfall.
The passage opens with God's verdict against the Ammonites, who had cheered when the temple was defiled and mocked Israel in her desolation. The text explicitly states that their celebration of Israel's suffering was the direct cause of God's judgment against them. This judgment would come in the form of nomadic peoples from the eastern desert who would overrun their country, set up camps on their land, and harvest their fruit. God declares that because they "clapped and danced and cheered with glee at the destruction of my people," He would raise His fist of judgment against them, giving them as plunder to many nations and ultimately wiping them out completely.
Similar pronouncements follow against Moab, Edom, and Philistia – all neighbors who had either celebrated Israel's downfall or sought revenge against God's people. In each case, the punishment is severe, with God promising to execute "terrible vengeance" and make wastelands of their territories. The repeated refrain "then they will know that I am the Lord" emphasizes that these judgments serve not just as punishment but as revelation – even in judgment, God is making Himself known to these nations.
This passage confronts us with a challenging question: How do we respond when we see others experiencing difficulties, especially those we might believe deserve judgment? Our natural tendency is often to feel a sense of satisfaction or even joy when someone who has done wrong faces consequences. We might think, "They had it coming" or "Justice has been served." While justice is certainly important, Ezekiel 25 suggests that celebrating the suffering of others – even justified suffering – is displeasing to God.
The spiritual application is profound. When we see someone fall from grace – perhaps a leader who has abused their position or a person who has committed serious wrongs – our first response should not be celebration or gossip, but grief. We should grieve for the victims who have been harmed, but we should also grieve for the broken humanity of the person who committed the wrong. As Pastor Brandon poignantly states, "If not for the grace of God, there would be a we." This humility recognizes our own capacity for wrongdoing and our dependence on God's grace.
The most courageous response we can have is to pray not only for the victims but also for those who have done wrong – recognizing that their actions often stem from deep brokenness. This doesn't excuse wrongdoing or negate the need for justice, but it aligns our hearts more closely with God's heart, which desires restoration even while executing necessary judgment. This chapter ultimately calls us to develop hearts of compassion and mercy, even toward those we might consider undeserving.
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