Fail to show mercy and you will receive no mercy - Ezekiel 25-30

This section of Ezekiel's prophecy is about the judgment on the surrounding Gentile nations for their failure to act righteously as they observed Israel's fall. The first nation mentioned is Ammon. Ammon was a country just east of Israel (it is modern day Turkey now). Ammon was a son of Lot and throughout the Bible is a chief rival of Israel. The Ammonits would not let Israel pass through their land on their exodus from Egypt and they continued to badger and bring Israel down throughout the generations. Even in the captivity the Ammonite women married some of the men of Israel which outraged Nehimiah. In Ezekiel 25:1-7 we see Ammon is prophesied against and will be brought into captivity itself so that, "you will know that I am God" and "because you clapped your hands and stamped your feet (in celebration)" in scorn against Israel during their failings. Ammon had rejoiced at Israel's downfall. Ammon had become a prideful nation (all the nations in this section are brought low because of their pride.) They had made celebration and didn't express mercy and grace. The rest of the prophecy in this section follows the same train of thought. God wants us to reflect Him. He is a God of great mercy and great grace. When we fail to express mercy in our own lives and when we fail to extend grace to others in our lives we don't reflect Him but rather the sinful world around us. Ammon is the picture of the hard heart that sees someone fail and fall and smiles rather than extends a hand of mercy. These prophecies in this section show us the great concern and passion God has for showing others mercy. When we see our enemy fall do we rejoice or extend mercy? Do we reach out in grace to provide help when those we despise fall? If we fail to show mercy we will receive no mercy. Even Ezekiel is told to "wail and lament" the fall of Egypt ... he had to show mercy to them even as God was punishing them for not showing mercy to Israel. Show mercy today. Receive mercy tomorrow.