Ezekiel 35
Ezekiel 35 is a prophecy against Mount Seir, representing the nation of Edom, the descendants of Esau, who harbored long-standing hostility against Israel, the descendants of Jacob. This chapter reflects God’s judgment on Edom for its violence and enmity towards Israel, especially during Israel’s times of distress. It underscores divine retribution and the ultimate vindication of God’s people, reminding readers of the consequences of harboring hatred and acting with malice against others.
Ezekiel 35:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
2 “Son of man, set your face against Mount Seir and prophesy against it,
God commands Ezekiel to set his focus on Mount Seir, symbolizing the people of Edom. This directive to prophesy against Edom signals divine judgment on the nation for its unfaithfulness and cruelty. The prophecy comes as a solemn warning and condemnation of Edom’s actions, particularly against Israel, revealing God’s disapproval of their hostility and vengeance.
Ezekiel 35:3 (NKJV)
3 and say to it, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O Mount Seir, I am against you; I will stretch out My hand against you, and make you most desolate;
Here, God declares His stance against Mount Seir. The imagery of stretching out His hand signifies a decisive action of judgment, showing that Edom’s actions will lead to desolation. This verse emphasizes that their past actions have reached a point where divine intervention is inevitable, leading to the destruction of their land.
Ezekiel 35:4 (NKJV)
4 I shall lay your cities waste, and you shall be desolate. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.
God promises to devastate Edom’s cities, leaving them abandoned and lifeless. This outcome serves as a testament to God’s sovereignty, reinforcing the idea that through their ruin, Edom and others will come to recognize His power and justice. The verse implies that knowledge of God often comes through experiencing His judgments.
Ezekiel 35:5 (NKJV)
5 Because you have had an ancient hatred, and have shed the blood of the children of Israel by the power of the sword at the time of their calamity, when their iniquity came to an end,
This verse specifies the reason for Edom’s judgment: their longstanding hatred toward Israel and their violent actions when Israel was most vulnerable. Edom’s hostility is depicted as deeply rooted and unrelenting, manifesting especially during Israel’s hardships, showing a lack of compassion and a desire to capitalize on their neighbor’s misfortune.
Ezekiel 35:6 (NKJV)
6 therefore, as I live,” says the Lord God, “I will prepare you for blood, and blood shall pursue you; since you have not hated blood, therefore blood shall pursue you.
God pronounces a measure-for-measure judgment on Edom, stating that because they were bloodthirsty, blood will be their downfall. This verse underlines the biblical principle of retributive justice, indicating that Edom’s violent nature has sealed its fate, leading to inevitable consequences.
Ezekiel 35:7-9 (NKJV)
7 Thus I will make Mount Seir most desolate, and cut off from it the one who leaves and the one who returns.
8 And I will fill its mountains with the slain; on your hills and in your valleys and in all your ravines those who are slain by the sword shall fall.
9 I will make you perpetually desolate, and your cities shall be uninhabited; then you shall know that I am the Lord.
God’s decree for Edom is complete desolation, with no escape for its people. The prophecy vividly describes how Edom’s lands will be filled with the slain, leaving the cities abandoned and the mountains lifeless. This permanent ruin serves as a stark reminder of God’s judgment, reinforcing His ultimate authority and the consequences of opposing His will.
Ezekiel 35:10 (NKJV)
10 “Because you have said, ‘These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will possess them,’ although the Lord was there,
Edom’s arrogance is highlighted here; they sought to claim the lands of Israel and Judah, disregarding that these territories belonged to God. Their desire for conquest reflects a disregard for divine ownership, leading to their downfall as they sought to take what God had not granted them.
Ezekiel 35:11 (NKJV)
11 therefore, as I live,” says the Lord God, “I will do according to your anger and according to the envy which you showed in your hatred against them; and I will make Myself known among them when I judge you.
God asserts that He will repay Edom according to the intensity of their hatred and envy toward Israel. This verse reflects that God’s judgment is proportionate to the malice Edom showed, highlighting that their hostility will bring about their own ruin and also reinforce Israel’s understanding of God’s justice and protection.
Ezekiel 35:12-13 (NKJV)
12 Then you shall know that I am the Lord. I have heard all your blasphemies which you have spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, ‘They are desolate; they are given to us to consume.’
13 Thus with your mouth you have boasted against Me and multiplied your words against Me; I have heard them.”
Edom’s contemptuous words against Israel are seen as direct blasphemies against God. By mocking Israel’s desolation and claiming it as their own, Edom not only insults Israel but also defies God’s authority. This verse emphasizes that God has taken note of every offense, demonstrating that He is aware of even spoken words against His people.
Ezekiel 35:14-15 (NKJV)
14 ‘Thus says the Lord God: “The whole earth will rejoice when I make you desolate.
15 As you rejoiced because the inheritance of the house of Israel was desolate, so I will do to you; you shall be desolate, O Mount Seir, as well as all of Edom—all of it! Then they shall know that I am the Lord.”’
God declares that Edom’s downfall will bring joy to the world, contrasting Edom’s glee at Israel’s suffering with the relief others will feel at Edom’s punishment. The final verse reinforces divine retribution and underscores the lesson that those who celebrate the misfortunes of others may find themselves subject to the same fate, affirming God’s role as the ultimate judge.