Chapters 25—32 speak of seven nations that surrounded the nation of Israel. These seven nations were selected as representative of all the nations. They signify seven kinds of people who are a damage to the church as God’s New Testament people. The seven nations are divided into three groups according to the three separate visions seen by Ezekiel at three different times. The first group consists of Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia; the second, of Tyre and Sidon; and the third, of Egypt.
Ammon and Moab were brothers born of Lot, Abraham’s nephew (Gen. 11:31), through Lot’s two daughters (Gen. 19:30-38). Hence, Ammon and Moab were relatives of Israel. According to the record here, Ammon was happy when God’s sanctuary (typifying the incarnated Christ tabernacling on earth as God’s dwelling place — John 1:14) was desecrated, when the good land (signifying Christ with all His riches and grace given to God’s people — Col. 1:12) was desolated, and when the house of Judah (signifying the church — Heb. 3:6) went off into exile. The Ammonites signify those who hate Christ, the grace of God, and the church.
The Moabites were happy to see that the house of Judah was no longer separated from the nations. Thus, they signify those who desire to bring the church into an association with the world and to make the church the same as the nations. See note Rev. 2:121.
According to the Septuagint; the Hebrew adds, and Seir.
The Edomites were the descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob (Gen. 36:1). Therefore, Edom and the sons of Israel were cousins. Edom signifies the unregenerated old man (Rom. 6:6; Eph. 4:22; Col. 3:9), and Israel, the regenerated new man (Rom. 9:6b; Rom. 2:28-29; Gal. 6:16; Phil. 3:3). Edom was full of hatred toward Israel, continually seeking revenge and vengeance.
The Philistines lived very close to the good land and even mingled with the Israelites. A number of times the Philistines came to the people of Israel and intervened in their worship of God (Judg. chs. 13—16; 1 Sam. chs. 4—5). The Philistines typify the natural man of the religious people (see note 1 Sam. 6:41).
