Judgment on Mount Seir

Ezekiel 35:1–15
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In a direct statement of judgment on Edom, God said, I am against you, Mount Seir (vv. 1-4). Seir, Edom’s geographical name, was the mountain range east of the Wadi Arabah south of the Dead Sea. This was the mountainous homeland where the Edomites lived. God would make that people as desolate as their land. Ezekiel’s second section followed in explaining why Edom would be judged (vv. 5-9). Edom’s sin was her enmity against Israel. She had harbored an ancient hostility and hoped to profit from Israel’s loss.

Because Edom had assisted in Israel’s slaughter, God would assist in her slaughter. Four times God referred to bloodshed (v. 6). Edom would suffer the same fate she had tried to inflict on Israel. Many people would be slain and her towns would become desolate, no longer inhabited. Edom also sinned in her desire to possess the land God had promised to Judah and Israel (vv. 10-15). Edom had said those two nations would become her possession. God severely chastised Israel and Judah for their sin, but He never abrogated His promises made to Abraham and his descendants. Edom was trying to usurp Israel’s title deed to the land which had been guaranteed by God.

God’s judgment corresponded to Edom’s guilt: I will treat you in accordance with the anger and jealousy you showed in your hatred of them (v. 11). In her boast against God (v. 13) Edom rejoiced when ... Israel became desolate. Therefore God would make Edom desolate. Her treatment of Israel determined her own fate. Edom became an object lesson for all nations.

Application

Hostility against God’s Children by Edom resulted in God’s judgment. I always want to make sure I am on the side of Israel as they are God’s chosen people.