Journal Through the Bible: Week 84 Friday

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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 they hatred against them: and I will make
myself known among them, when I have judged thee.
(35:11)

Ezekiel 35:1-36:7

This passage begins with a curse against Mount Seir in Edom, the people of Israel's brother, Esau.  (See Genesis 36:9)

The KJV translates a Hebrew word in 35:6 as "sith" which is an archaic form of "since."

Does God issue any commands?

• God told Ezekiel to prophecy against Mount Seir.
• God told Ezekiel to prophecy unto the mountains of Israel and He told the people to hear the word of the LORD.

Does God make any promises?

• God promised to stretch out His hand against Mount Seir and make it desolate. The mountain would be filled with the bodies of the slain. Their nation would never be rebuilt. Then people would know that He is the LORD. This was their punishment for their perpetual hatred of the Children of Israel and for their plans of taking possession of Israel's territory, see 35:10. (Amos 9:12 tells us that there would be a remnant that survived. And they did. They were the Idumeans of the New Testament that lived among the Jewish people. This name is also used in 35:15.)
• God promised the mountains of Israel that the people that spoke against them would be shamed. God told them He is jealous over them.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• As in many of these passages in Ezekiel, God told Ezekiel that something would happen and then the people would know "that I am the LORD." Jesus told those listening to Him as He spoke that He is the "I Am" also. So whenever God said that these things would come to pass and people would know that "I am the LORD" this is also a reference to Jesus, who being in the form of God, and in fashion as a man, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. (See Philippians 2:6 and 8)

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• God makes reference to a day "when the whole world rejoices" (35:14). Then those of Edom that were covetous and jealous of Israel's standing in the sight of God would be made desolate. At that time all would know that He is the LORD, again a reference to Jesus who is also the great I Am. This is a time of judgment. When Jesus judges the world all will rejoice that just sentences are carried out. (And those who are spared will be even more thankful for the mercy that they obtained through Jesus Christ.)
• This passage tells of God's love for and jealousy over the mountains, hills, rivers, and valleys of Israel. One day all of the heathens and their abominations will be thrust out of God's holy hill of Zion and He will reign there. He will speak against them in the last days just as He said He would in 36:5-7.