Lesson sequence
Ezekiel 25: A Prophecy against Ammon
Ezekiel 25:1–7; Ezekiel 25:8–11; Ezekiel 25:12–14; Ezekiel 25:15–17
This prophecy speaks directly against the children of Ammon. It explains why the Lord Yahweh judges them and what that judgement will look like, while repeating the purpose that they will know who he is. This lesson also brings together A Prophecy against Moab, A Prophecy against Edom, A Prophecy against the Philistines.
Before you teach
The passage opens with Yahweh’s word coming to Ezekiel and telling him to prophesy against the children of Ammon. The message focuses on Ammon’s response to the profaning of the sanctuary, the desolation of Israel, and Judah’s captivity, then announces judgement from the Lord Yahweh.
Explain the central teaching of Ezekiel 25: A Prophecy against Ammon, using two details from the reading. This passage teaches that the Lord Yahweh judges proud contempt over the downfall of his people and makes his identity known through that judgement. This passage teaches that the Lord answers Moab’s words about Judah with judgment that reveals he is Yahweh. This prophecy teaches that the Lord Yahweh answers Edom’s revenge on Judah with his own declared judgment on Edom. This prophecy teaches that the Lord Yahweh sees revenge, contempt and lasting hostility, and he declares judgement against them.
Your lesson sequence
Use the teaching outline below for each session, with these reading and activity choices.
A Prophecy against Ammon
Ezekiel 25:1–7
This passage teaches that the Lord Yahweh judges proud contempt over the downfall of his people and makes his identity known through that judgement.
Try together: Use the evidence sheet for Ezekiel 25:1–7. Record key details, compare the opening and closing of this reading, and prepare a short explanation with a supporting Bible reference for each point.
A Prophecy against Moab
Ezekiel 25:8–11
This passage teaches that the Lord answers Moab’s words about Judah with judgment that reveals he is Yahweh.
Try together: Use the evidence sheet for Ezekiel 25:8–11. Record key details, compare the opening and closing of this reading, and prepare a short explanation with a supporting Bible reference for each point.
A Prophecy against Edom
Ezekiel 25:12–14
This prophecy teaches that the Lord Yahweh answers Edom’s revenge on Judah with his own declared judgment on Edom.
Try together: Use the evidence sheet for Ezekiel 25:12–14. Record key details, compare the opening and closing of this reading, and prepare a short explanation with a supporting Bible reference for each point.
A Prophecy against the Philistines
Ezekiel 25:15–17
This prophecy teaches that the Lord Yahweh sees revenge, contempt and lasting hostility, and he declares judgement against them.
Try together: Use the evidence sheet for Ezekiel 25:15–17. Record key details, compare the opening and closing of this reading, and prepare a short explanation with a supporting Bible reference for each point.
Welcome: Ezekiel 25: A Prophecy against Ammon
5 minIntroduce “A Prophecy against Ammon”, “A Prophecy against Moab”, “A Prophecy against Edom”, “A Prophecy against the Philistines” and locate Ezekiel 25:1–7; Ezekiel 25:8–11; Ezekiel 25:12–14; Ezekiel 25:15–17. This passage teaches that the Lord Yahweh judges proud contempt over the downfall of his people and makes his identity known through that judgement. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for. Choose the reading for today’s session from the sequence above.
Ezekiel 25:1, Ezekiel 25:4, Ezekiel 25:7
Read and explain the passage
12 minA Prophecy against Ammon (Ezekiel 25:1–7): The passage begins with Yahweh’s word coming to Ezekiel. He is called “Son of man” and told to set his face toward the children of Ammon and prophesy against them. This shows the message is deliberate and confrontational. It is a spoken word of judgement from the Lord Yahweh, not a story scene.
A Prophecy against Moab (Ezekiel 25:8–11): The passage begins with the Lord’s reason for speaking. Moab and Seir say, “Behold, the house of Judah is like all the nations”. Their statement about Judah is placed first, so the rest of the prophecy reads as the Lord’s answer to those words.
A Prophecy against Edom (Ezekiel 25:12–14): The passage begins with the Lord Yahweh’s charge against Edom. Edom has dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance. The verse also says Edom has greatly offended and taken revenge on them. The emphasis is on Edom’s actions as the reason this prophecy of judgment is spoken.
A Prophecy against the Philistines (Ezekiel 25:15–17): The message begins with the reason for judgement. The Philistines are accused of taking revenge and vengeance with “contempt of soul”. Their actions are aimed to destroy, and their hostility is described as perpetual, meaning ongoing or long-lasting. The prophecy presents this attitude and action as the problem Yahweh addresses.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “A Prophecy against Ammon”, “A Prophecy against Moab”, “A Prophecy against Edom”, “A Prophecy against the Philistines”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Ezekiel 25:1, Ezekiel 25:2, Ezekiel 25:8, Ezekiel 25:12, Ezekiel 25:15
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What actions and events does the Lord Yahweh say Ammon reacted to with “Aha!”?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. This prophecy teaches that the Lord Yahweh sees revenge, contempt and lasting hostility, and he declares judgement against them. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Ezekiel 25:3, Ezekiel 25:14, Ezekiel 25:15
Make and respond: Vision and message evidence map
12 minWork on “Ezekiel 25: A Prophecy against Ammon: Vision and message evidence map”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “A Prophecy against Ammon”, “A Prophecy against Moab”, “A Prophecy against Edom”, “A Prophecy against the Philistines” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Ezekiel 25:1, Ezekiel 25:9, Ezekiel 25:17
Closing: return to A Prophecy against the Philistines
3 minRevisit Ezekiel 25:15–17. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about A Prophecy against the Philistines and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Ezekiel 25:15, Ezekiel 25:16, Ezekiel 25:17
Questions to explore
What actions and events does the Lord Yahweh say Ammon reacted to with “Aha!”?
List the three things named in the verse: the profaned sanctuary, the desolate land of Israel, and the captivity of the house of Judah.
Ezekiel 25:3
How does Ezekiel 25:14 describe both the agent and the result of the Lord’s vengeance?
Notice the phrase “by the hand of my people Israel” and the closing statement about what Edom will know.
Ezekiel 25:14
What reasons does Ezekiel 25:15 give for Yahweh’s judgement on the Philistines?
Look for the words about revenge, contempt of soul, destruction and perpetual hostility, and use those exact ideas in your answer.
Ezekiel 25:15
Make, think or respond
Ezekiel 25: A Prophecy against Ammon: Vision and message evidence map
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “What the passage describes”, “What is explained in the text”, “What question remains”.
- Read Ezekiel 25:1–7; Ezekiel 25:8–11; Ezekiel 25:12–14; Ezekiel 25:15–17. Use “A Prophecy against Ammon”, “A Prophecy against Moab”, “A Prophecy against Edom”, “A Prophecy against the Philistines” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Circle an explanation the passage itself provides. Leave unexplained details as questions for further reading.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Ezekiel 25: A Prophecy against Ammon connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “A Prophecy against Ammon”, “A Prophecy against Moab”, “A Prophecy against Edom”, “A Prophecy against the Philistines” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Ezekiel 25:1–7; Ezekiel 25:8–11; Ezekiel 25:12–14; Ezekiel 25:15–17. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Ezekiel 25:1–7; Ezekiel 25:8–11; Ezekiel 25:12–14; Ezekiel 25:15–17. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Ezekiel 25
1 Yahweh’s word came to me, saying,
2 “Son of man, set your face toward the children of Ammon, and prophesy against them.
3 Tell the children of Ammon, ‘Hear the word of the Lord Yahweh! The Lord Yahweh says, “Because you said, ‘Aha!’ against my sanctuary when it was profaned, and against the land of Israel when it was made desolate, and against the house of Judah when they went into captivity,
4 therefore, behold, I will deliver you to the children of the east for a possession. They will set their encampments in you and make their dwellings in you. They will eat your fruit and they will drink your milk.
5 I will make Rabbah a stable for camels and the children of Ammon a resting place for flocks. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.”
6 For the Lord Yahweh says: “Because you have clapped your hands, stamped with the feet, and rejoiced with all the contempt of your soul against the land of Israel,
7 therefore, behold, I have stretched out my hand on you, and will deliver you for a plunder to the nations. I will cut you off from the peoples, and I will cause you to perish out of the countries. I will destroy you. Then you will know that I am Yahweh.”
8 “ ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Because Moab and Seir say, ‘Behold, the house of Judah is like all the nations,’
9 therefore, behold, I will open the side of Moab from the cities, from his cities which are on its frontiers, the glory of the country, Beth Jeshimoth, Baal Meon, and Kiriathaim,
10 to the children of the east, to go against the children of Ammon; and I will give them for a possession, that the children of Ammon may not be remembered among the nations.
11 I will execute judgments on Moab. Then they will know that I am Yahweh.”
12 “ ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Because Edom has dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and has greatly offended, and taken revenge on them,”
13 therefore the Lord Yahweh says, “I will stretch out my hand on Edom, and will cut off man and animal from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman. They will fall by the sword even to Dedan.
14 I will lay my vengeance on Edom by the hand of my people Israel. They will do in Edom according to my anger and according to my wrath. Then they will know my vengeance,” says the Lord Yahweh.
15 “ ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Because the Philistines have taken revenge, and have taken vengeance with contempt of soul to destroy with perpetual hostility,”
16 therefore the Lord Yahweh says, “Behold, I will stretch out my hand on the Philistines, and I will cut off the Cherethites, and destroy the remnant of the sea coast.
17 I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes. Then they will know that I am Yahweh, when I lay my vengeance on them.” ’ ”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.