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Daily Devotions

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 
Day 
Day 272

"I will execute great vengeance on them"

Text: Ezekiel 25:17

JUDGMENT AGAINST THE PHILISTINES

The Philistines had been a thorn in the flesh against Israel for a very lengthy period of time. Long before Israel became a monarchy, the Philistines were enemies that harassed Israel badly.

“Thus says the Lord God:
‘Because the Philistines dealt vengefully
and took vengeance with a spiteful heart,
to destroy because of the old hatred,’
therefore thus says the Lord God:
‘I will stretch out My hand against the Philistines,
and I will cut off the Cherethites
and destroy the remnant of the seacoast.
I will execute great vengeance on them with furious rebukes;
and they shall know that I am the Lord,
when I lay My vengeance upon them.'”
Ezekiel 25:15-16

1. The Philistine’s hatred for Israel.

a) This was described as “an old hatred”.

b) The Philistines treated Israel with great hostility:

i) There was a vengeful spirit.

ii) There was a spiteful heart.

iii) There was a desire to see to the destruction of Israel.

2. God’s Judgment pronounced against the Philistines.

a) God will stretch out His hand personally against the Philistines.

b) This was just recompense.

3. The Cherethites

a) They are closely associated with the Philistines.

b) They may have originated from Crete.

c) They were mercenaries for hire.

d) They too would be destroyed.

4. The remnant of the sea coast.

a) These were Philistines who lived in coastal cities.

b) The Philistines were ruled by individual chieftains (“kings”).

c) The usual cities named were five (pentapolis):

i) Ashkelon

ii) Ashdod

iii) Gaza

iv) Ekron

v) Gath

d) The residents of the sea coast cities were also Philistines.

5. God’s vengeance.

a) “Great vengeance” would come upon them.

b) “Furious rebukes” would be heaped upon them as well.

c) They would then know the might and majesty of the God of Israel.