GOD’S JUDGMENT ON EDOM
Ezekiel 35:1-15
Because you rejoiced when the inheritance of Israel became desolate, that is how I will treat you. You will be desolate, Mount Seir, you and all of Edom. Then they will know that I am the LORD.’ ” (15)
chapter 35
1. The word of the LORD came to me:
2. "Son of man, set your face against Mount Seir; prophesy against it
3. and say: ’This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against you, Mount Seir, and I will stretch out my hand against you and make you a desolate waste.
4. I will turn your towns into ruins and you will be desolate. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
5. "’Because you harbored an ancient hostility and delivered the Israelites over to the sword at the time of their calamity, the time their punishment reached its climax,
6. therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will give you over to bloodshed and it will pursue you. Since you did not hate bloodshed, bloodshed will pursue you.
7. I will make Mount Seir a desolate waste and cut off from it all who come and go.
8. I will fill your mountains with the slain; those killed by the sword will fall on your hills and in your valleys and in all your ravines.
9. I will make you desolate forever; your towns will not be inhabited. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
10. "’Because you have said, "These two nations and countries will be ours and we will take possession of them," even though I the LORD was there,
11. therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I will treat you in accordance with the anger and jealousy you showed in your hatred of them and I will make myself known among them when I judge you.
12. Then you will know that I the LORD have heard all the contemptible things you have said against the mountains of Israel. You said, "They have been laid waste and have been given over to us to devour."
13. You boasted against me and spoke against me without restraint, and I heard it.
14. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: While the whole earth rejoices, I will make you desolate.
15. Because you rejoiced when the inheritance of Israel became desolate, that is how I will treat you. You will be desolate, Mount Seir, you and all of Edom. Then they will know that I am the LORD.’"
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1. God pronounced his judgment upon Edom. His purpose was that they may know that he is the Lord. God’s judgment is his divine discipline to lead people back to himself and to know God as God.
2. What was Edom’s crime? When Israel was most vulnerable, Edom (the descendants of Esau) gave into their ancient hostility towards them and slayed God’s people mercilessly. The Edomites gleefully abetted Babylon in killing and deporting the Israelites and destroying the temple. God would repay Edom for their act of genocide and would slay Edom’s people until they no longer existed as a nation. When Edom suffered God’s wrath, they would humbly acknowledge God as God.
3. Edom was a slave of jealousy, anger, and hatred. They imagined they would get rid of their enemies and possess Israel and Judah. They boasted and rejoiced over annihilating them and dared to revile God. He heard from heaven above and responded with his fierce wrath. Their gloating led to their doom. When they also became desolate, they would know the Lord did this in repayment for their hostility.
Prayer: Father, thank you for your righteous judgment to lead people to repent.
One Word: God judges those who hate his people so that they might acknowledge him TESTIMONY