# Overview Ezekiel Chapter 35 is a prophetic declaration against #MountSeir and the land of #Edom, highlighting the theme of #judgment from the Lord. The chapter begins with the word of the Lord coming to the prophet #Ezekiel, commanding him to set his face against Mount Seir and prophesy against it. The Lord declares His opposition to Edom, promising desolation and ruin as a consequence of their perpetual enmity against the #Israelites. This judgment emphasizes the divine retribution for Edom’s hostility and shedding of blood, reflecting the broader biblical principle that God’s justice extends to all nations, holding them accountable for their actions against His chosen people. The chapter continues by illustrating the reasons for Edom’s downfall, notably their arrogance and desire to possess the lands of Israel and Judah. The Lord points out Edom’s malicious glee over the calamities of Israel, promising that their land will be laid waste, and their cities will become desolate. This prophecy against Edom serves as a reminder of God’s sovereignty and His commitment to protect His people, ensuring that those who rise against Israel will face divine judgment. The chapter concludes with the declaration that Edom will know that He is the Lord, reinforcing the overarching message of Ezekiel that God reveals His power and justice through His dealings with the nations. ## Theological Insights Ezekiel 35 serves as a prophetic declaration against Mount #Seir and the nation of #Edom, reflecting broader themes of divine justice and the sovereignty of #God over the nations. The enmity between #Edom and #Israel is a recurring biblical theme, tracing back to the conflict between #Jacob and #Esau, as seen in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 25]]. This chapter illustrates God's judgment on Edom for its perpetual hostility towards Israel, emphasizing that divine retribution is certain against those who oppose God's chosen people. The text underscores the principle of retributive justice, where Edom's actions—marked by violence and animosity—are mirrored in the punishment they receive. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative found throughout the prophetic books, where nations are held accountable for their treatment of Israel, as also echoed in [[Obadiah/Obadiah Chapter 1]]. Furthermore, the chapter highlights God's zeal for His own glory and His covenant people. The devastation prophesied against Edom is not merely punitive but serves a redemptive purpose: to vindicate God's holiness and to assert His dominion. This reflects a consistent theme in the #OldTestament, where God's actions among the nations ultimately serve to fulfill His covenant promises, as seen in the broader context of the restoration prophecies in [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 36]]. The prophecy against Edom also serves as a warning and a call to repentance, illustrating the broader biblical theme that God desires to bring people to a recognition of His lordship, as articulated in Ezekiel's repeated refrain, "Then they will know that I am the Lord." This phrase echoes throughout Ezekiel, reinforcing the theological message that God's ultimate aim is for all to recognize His sovereignty and righteousness. ## Thematic Connections ### Judgment Against Nations Ezekiel 35 focuses on the pronouncement of divine judgment against #MountSeir and the people of #Edom. This theme of judgment against nations is prevalent throughout the #OldTestament, where God declares His justice against nations that act with hostility towards #Israel, as seen with the judgments on #Babylon in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 13]] and #Egypt in [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 29]]. The emphasis is on God's sovereignty over all nations and His role as the righteous judge. ### Retributive Justice The chapter highlights the theme of retributive justice, where #Edom is punished for their perpetual enmity and violence against the people of #Israel. This corresponds with the principle of divine retribution found in the law, such as in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 21|Exodus 21:23-25]], which underscores the idea of "eye for eye." The concept is further echoed in [[Obadiah/Obadiah Chapter 1|Obadiah]], where Edom is judged for their betrayal and violence against their brother Jacob. ### The Sovereignty of God Ezekiel 35 underscores the sovereignty of #God as He declares judgment on Edom. This theme is consistent throughout the Book of [[Ezekiel]], where God's supreme authority and control over the nations are affirmed, as seen in the judgment oracles against other nations such as [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 25|Ammon]], [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 25|Moab]], and [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 25|Philistia]]. God's sovereignty ensures that His purposes for #Israel and the world will ultimately be fulfilled. ### Promise of Restoration for Israel Although Ezekiel 35 primarily deals with judgment, the contrast with the preceding chapter’s promise of restoration for #Israel (as seen in [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 34]]) highlights a broader biblical theme of judgment followed by restoration. The juxtaposition of judgment on Edom and restoration for Israel underscores God's plan to renew His covenant people while executing justice on their enemies, a theme also present in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 61]] and [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 30]]. ### The Perpetual Enmity between Edom and Israel The chapter reflects the longstanding hostility between Edom and Israel, a recurring biblical theme first seen in the conflict between #Esau and #Jacob in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 25]]. This enmity is depicted throughout the Scriptures, such as in [[Numbers/Numbers Chapter 20]], where Edom denied Israel passage through their land. Ezekiel 35 serves as a culmination of this animosity, with God's declaration of judgment against Edom for their actions against their brother nation. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### Judgment Against Edom In [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 35]], the prophecy against Mount Seir, which represents #Edom, fulfills earlier pronouncements of judgment against Edom found in the Old Testament. This chapter echoes the prophetic declarations in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 34]], where God announces His wrath against Edom for their perpetual enmity against #Israel. The fulfillment of these prophecies is seen in the historical decline and desolation of Edom, aligning with God's promise to bring judgment upon those who oppose His chosen people. ### The Perpetual Desolation The promise of perpetual desolation upon Mount Seir in Ezekiel 35:9 fulfills the prophetic theme of divine retribution against nations that have acted in hostility towards Israel. This aligns with earlier prophecies, such as in [[Obadiah/Obadiah Chapter 1]], which detail Edom’s betrayal and subsequent downfall. God's pronouncement in Ezekiel serves as a reminder of His covenant faithfulness to Israel and His justice against those who seek their harm. ### The Vindication of Israel The prophecy in Ezekiel 35 also ties into the broader biblical narrative of Israel's vindication and restoration. This is consistent with prophecies found in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 11]] and [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 31]], which speak of God's plan to restore Israel and bring judgment upon their enemies. Ezekiel 35 underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to defend and uphold Israel, ensuring that His people are ultimately redeemed and their enemies face divine justice. ## Verses - **Ezekiel 35:1** - "Again a message came to me from the LORD:" - **Ezekiel 35:2** - "“Son of man, turn and face Mount Seir, and prophesy against its people." - *Note: Mount Seir is associated with the descendants of #Esau, as seen in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 36]].* - **Ezekiel 35:3** - "Give them this message from the Sovereign LORD: 'I am your enemy, O Mount Seir, and I will raise my fist against you to destroy you completely." - **Ezekiel 35:4** - "I will demolish your cities and make you desolate. Then you will know that I am the LORD." - **Ezekiel 35:5** - "“Your eternal hatred for the people of Israel led you to butcher them when they were helpless, when I had already punished them for all their sins." - *Note: The enmity between the descendants of #Esau and #Israel is chronicled in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 27]].* - **Ezekiel 35:6** - "As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, since you show no distaste for blood, I will give you a bloodbath of your own. Your turn has come!" - **Ezekiel 35:7** - "I will make Mount Seir utterly desolate, killing off all who try to escape and any who return." - **Ezekiel 35:8** - "I will fill your mountains with the dead. Your hills, your valleys, and your ravines will be filled with people slaughtered by the sword." - **Ezekiel 35:9** - "I will make you desolate forever. Your cities will never be rebuilt. Then you will know that I am the LORD." - **Ezekiel 35:10** - "“For you said, ‘The lands of Israel and Judah will be ours. We will take possession of them. What do we care that the LORD is there!’" - **Ezekiel 35:11** - "Therefore, as surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, I will pay back your angry deeds with my own. I will punish you for all your acts of anger, envy, and hatred." - **Ezekiel 35:12** - "And I will make myself known to Israel by what I do to you. Then you will know that I am the LORD." - **Ezekiel 35:13** - "“You boasted proudly against me, and I have heard it all!" - **Ezekiel 35:14** - "This is what the Sovereign LORD says: The whole world will rejoice when I make you desolate." - **Ezekiel 35:15** - "You rejoiced at the desolation of Israel’s territory. Now I will rejoice at yours. You will be wiped out, you people of Mount Seir and all who live in Edom. Then you will know that I am the LORD."