Ezekiel 35

1 The LORD spoke his word to me. He said,

2 "Son of man, turn to Mount Seir, and prophesy against it.

3 Tell it, 'This is what the Almighty LORD says: I'm against you, Mount Seir. I will use my power against you, and you will become a wasteland.

4 I will turn your cities into ruins, and you will become a wasteland. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

5 "'You have always been an enemy of Israel. You deserted the people of Israel in battle when they were in trouble during their final punishment.

6 That is why, as I live, declares the Almighty LORD, I will let you be murdered. Murderers will pursue you. Since you don't hate murdering people, murder will pursue you.

7 I will turn Mount Seir into a barren wasteland, and I will destroy everyone who comes or goes from there.

8 I will fill your mountains with those who have been killed. Those killed in battle will fall on your hills and in your valleys and ravines.

9 I will turn you into a permanent wasteland. Your cities will not be lived in. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

10 "'You said, "These two nations, Israel and Judah, along with their land, belong to us. We will take possession of them." But the LORD was there.

11 That is why, as I live, declares the Almighty LORD, I will do to you what you did to them. When you were angry and jealous, you acted hatefully toward them.

12 Then you will know that I, the LORD, heard all the insults that you spoke about the mountains of Israel. You said, "They have been deserted and handed over to us to use up."

13 You bragged and continually talked against me. I heard you.

14 "'This is what the Almighty LORD says: The whole earth will be glad when I turn you into a wasteland.

15 You were happy when the land of Israel became a wasteland. I will do the same thing to you. You will become a wasteland, Mount Seir, and so will all of Edom. Then you will know that I am the LORD.'"

Ezekiel 35 Commentary

Chapter 35

A prophecy against Edom.

Verses 1-9 All who have God against them, have the word of God against them. Those that have a constant hatred to God and his people, as the carnal mind has, can only expect to be made desolate for ever.

Verses 10-15 When we see the vanity of the world in the disappointments, losses, and crosses, which others meet with, instead of showing ourselves greedy of worldly things, we should sit more loose to them. In the multitude of words, not one is unknown to God; not the most idle word; and the most daring is not above his rebuke. In the destruction of the enemies of the church, God designs his own glory; and we may be sure that he will not come short of his design. And when the fulness of the Jews and Gentiles shall come into the church, all antichristian opposers shall be destroyed.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO EZEKIEL 35

This chapter is a prophecy of the destruction of Edom, which is threatened, Eze 35:1-4, the cause of it, their hatred and slaughter of the Israelites, Eze 35:5-9, their claim of the lands of Israel and Judah for possession, Eze 35:10,11, their blasphemies against the people of God, and the Lord himself, Eze 35:12,13, the aggravation of their ruin, which was irretrievable; that when it was well with others, it should go ill with them; by way of just retaliation, Eze 35:14,15.