1 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, set thy face against mount Seir, and prophesy against it,
3 And say unto it, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O mount Seir, I am against thee, and I will stretch out mine hand against thee, and I will make thee most desolate.
4 I will lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate, and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.
5 Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, and hast shed the blood of the children of Israel by the force of the sword in the time of their calamity, in the time that their iniquity had an end:
6 Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will prepare thee unto blood, and blood shall pursue thee: sith thou hast not hated blood, even blood shall pursue thee.
7 Thus will I make mount Seir most desolate, and cut off from it him that passeth out and him that returneth.
8 And I will fill his mountains with his slain men: in thy hills, and in thy valleys, and in all thy rivers, shall they fall that are slain with the sword.
9 I will make thee perpetual desolations, and thy cities shall not return: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
10 Because thou hast said, These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will possess it; whereas the LORD was there:
11 Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will even do according to thine anger, and according to thine envy which thou hast used out of thy hatred against them; and I will make myself known among them, when I have judged thee.
12 And thou shalt know that I am the LORD, and that I have heard all thy blasphemies which thou hast spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, They are laid desolate, they are given us to consume.
13 Thus with your mouth ye have boasted against me, and have multiplied your words against me: I have heard them.
14 Thus saith the Lord GOD; When the whole earth rejoiceth, I will make thee desolate.
15 As thou didst rejoice at the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so will I do unto thee: thou shalt be desolate, O mount Seir, and all Idumea, even all of it: and they shall know that I am the LORD.
The 35th chapter of the book of Ezekiel in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible delivers a prophecy of condemnation against the nation of Edom. This chapter is a part of a larger section of the book, where Ezekiel, as God's prophet, pronounces judgement on the nations surrounding Israel. The main themes of this chapter can be summarised as divine judgement, God’s sovereignty, the consequences of pride, hatred, and vengeance.
In the first few verses, Ezekiel is commanded by God to prophesy against the land of Edom. The Edomites, descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother, had a long history of antagonism and hostility towards Israel, the descendants of Jacob. This animosity, which had often manifested in violent conflicts, had caught the attention of God, leading to their impending judgement.
The prophecy against Edom is characterised by harsh language and vivid imagery, painting a picture of complete and utter destruction. God, through Ezekiel, declares that He will make Mount Seir, representing Edom, utterly desolate, with its cities laid waste and its people slain. This desolation is a consequence of Edom's unending hatred and violence towards Israel, thus portraying the theme of divine retribution for sin.
One of the major themes in this chapter is divine judgement. The judgement pronounced on Edom is severe, and it is God Himself who will execute it. This is a clear demonstration of God's absolute sovereignty and His role as the ultimate judge. It underscores the truth that God is not indifferent to the actions of nations and individuals, and He will hold them accountable for their actions, especially when they go against His divine law and harm His chosen people.
God’s sovereignty is further emphasized when He declares, "I, the Lord, have spoken it". This declaration is a stern reminder that God's word is absolute and unchanging. It carries with it the certainty of fulfilment, emphasizing God's authority over the nations and His power to execute judgement.
Another major theme of Ezekiel 35 is the consequences of pride, hatred, and vengeance. The Edomites are described as having an "ancient hatred" towards the Israelites. They had seized the opportunity to pillage and occupy Israel's land when it was desolate. Their actions were driven by pride, envy, and a desire for revenge.
The Edomites' pride is evident in their claim to the "two nations and these two countries" (referring to Israel and Judah) after these nations had fallen to the Babylonians. This act of arrogance and presumption did not go unnoticed by God. It is a classic example of the sin of pride, where one elevates oneself above others, and in this case, even above God's plans and purposes.
Their hatred and desire for revenge against Israel, which God called "perpetual hatred", led them to shed innocent blood. God sees the heart and He knew that their actions were not just political strategy, but were rooted in deep-seated animosity. This hatred and desire for revenge brought about their downfall, illustrating the destructive power of these emotions.
Ezekiel 35 also reveals God's vindication for His people. The judgement of Edom is not only punitive, but it also serves as a means of vindicating Israel. God hears the reproach and mockery that His people have endured from their enemies. In His justice, He promises to make Himself known among them when He judges Edom.
The vindication of Israel serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it is meant to comfort the Israelites, assuring them that God is aware of their suffering and will act on their behalf. Secondly, it is intended to make God's name known among the nations, demonstrating His power and justice and thus inspiring reverence and worship.
In conclusion, Ezekiel 35 carries a powerful message about God’s judgement, His sovereignty, and the consequences of pride, hatred, and vengeance. It serves as a reminder that God is the ultimate judge who will hold nations and individuals accountable for their actions. It also highlights the destructive power of pride, hatred, and vengeance, which can lead to one's downfall. Finally, it offers comfort to those who have been wronged, assuring them that God sees their suffering and will act on their behalf. This chapter ultimately underscores the importance of living in accordance with God's laws and maintaining a right attitude towards others.
Share this page