Ezekiel 25

The Explanation

Far away, in a warm land, lived a man named Ezekiel. One quiet day, God spoke to him. His voice was soft, but very clear. "Ezekiel," God said, "look toward the people of Ammon." Ezekiel listened.

Israel's home was broken. The walls had fallen down. Smoke still hung in the air. The people of Israel were crying. Big tears. Soft cries in the night.

But close by, other people were watching. The Ammonites did not cry with Israel. No, they clapped their hands. They stamped their feet. They laughed. "Aha!" they shouted. "Look at that house, all broken!"

Not only Ammon. Moab shook its head at Israel too. Edom, who once was almost family, turned away instead of helping. The Philistines stood at the fence, stomping loud, laughing loud.

God heard every clap. God heard every laugh. Not one sound was missed.

What Does This Mean?

God was not smiling. Not even a little. He said to Ezekiel, "Tell them, I saw you clap. I heard you laugh at my people." God's voice grew strong, like thunder far away. He said the same words to every one of them. "I saw. I heard. Now you will know that I am Yahweh." His hand stretched out, strong and sure, like a father catching a chair before it falls.

The Common Thread

God does not look away when His people are sad. Not for one single moment. He watches over them, even in the dark, even when neighbors laugh instead of helping. Long after Ezekiel, God sent Jesus. Jesus cried with sad people. He held the hands of the hurting. He touched sick people others walked past. He never laughed at anyone's broken home. Jesus came to make all things new, for everyone who was ever laughed at, and everyone who was ever sad.

For You

Have you ever seen someone fall down? Maybe they dropped their cup, or tripped on a rock. It is easy to laugh. But God saw the clapping in this story, and He did not like it. God likes it much better when we help. When someone is sad, you can sit close. You can say, "I am here." That makes God glad.

Talk About It

Why do you think the neighbors clapped when Israel was sad? What can you do instead of laughing, when a friend falls down?

Praying Together

Dear God, You see me. You see when I am sad, and You see when others are sad too. Help me not to laugh at people who are hurt. Help me to sit close and be kind. Thank You for always watching over me. Amen.