Ezekiel Chapter 35 – Commentary and Explanation
Ezekiel Chapter 35 – Commentary and Explanation
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So here we are again, diving deep into another chapter of Ezekiel. Chapter 35 might seem short on the surface—just 15 verses—but don’t let that fool you. It’s packed with intensity, judgment, history, and deeper meaning that’s really worth pausing and chewing on. This chapter is a prophecy against Mount Seir, the land of Edom. And, well, the Lord doesn’t hold back here. It’s like opening a door to a room you thought was forgotten… only to find it full of echoes and unfinished business.
Let’s go line by line and thought by thought, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll see what God is really saying here—not just to Edom, but to us too.
The Setting: A Word Against Mount Seir
The chapter opens in familiar Ezekiel fashion:
“Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against mount Seir, and prophesy against it.” (Ezekiel 35:1–2)
Right away, we know this is another divine directive. God tells Ezekiel to “set your face against” Mount Seir, which is a poetic way of saying, Focus your judgment there. Mount Seir is basically the central region of Edom, Israel’s ancient frenemy.
Now, if you're thinking, Didn’t we already deal with Edom earlier?, you're absolutely right. In fact, Ezekiel Chapter 25 already had a word for Edom. But here, God doubles down. This prophecy isn’t a repeat—it’s a spotlight. It zooms in on Edom’s heart of bitterness and cruelty. The Edomites didn’t just oppose Israel. They cherished Israel’s downfall.
Why Edom? What Did They Do?
It might help to step back for a sec. Who were the Edomites? Descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother. So there's family history here—deep, ancient stuff. These nations were related, but there was constant friction between them. And when Jerusalem fell to Babylon, Edom didn’t just watch. They celebrated. Mocked. They even took advantage.
“Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, and hast shed the blood of the children of Israel by the force of the sword in the time of their calamity...” (Ezekiel 35:5)
Ouch. A perpetual hatred? God calls them out not just for a one-time offense but for something ongoing. This wasn’t just a moment of weakness. This was a heart problem.
Have you ever known someone who seemed to delight when you were down? That’s Edom here. They saw Israel’s suffering, and rather than stepping in with help, or even just staying out of it, they joined the violence. Poured salt into the wound. That hits hard.
Divine Response: Judging the Hatred
God’s response is crystal clear. He says:
“Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord God, I will prepare thee unto blood, and blood shall pursue thee: sith thou hast not hated blood, even blood shall pursue thee.” (Ezekiel 35:6)
That’s intense. God’s like, You loved bloodshed? Fine. Now it’s gonna follow you. There’s a chilling symmetry here. It’s like God’s saying: The thing you reveled in? That’s now your fate.
This is more than poetic justice. It’s divine justice.
Notice the phrase “as I live.” That’s God’s solemn oath. He’s not just tossing out threats. This is a decree. Irrevocable. Final.
We see the deeper issue isn’t just that Edom attacked Israel. It’s that they hated them with a deep, generational hatred, and they acted on it when Israel was down. It’s the worst kind of betrayal. It’s like kicking someone when they’re already on the ground, gasping for air.
Desolation on Desolation
The Lord continues in verses 7 and 8:
“Thus will I make mount Seir most desolate, and cut off from it him that passeth out and him that returneth. And I will fill his mountains with his slain men...”
This is apocalyptic imagery. Not a soul going in or out. Just silence and bloodshed. Picture a land stripped of all signs of life—commerce, community, joy—all of it gone. The mountains themselves, once strong and towering, now filled with corpses.
Why such harsh imagery? Well, God's not exaggerating. He’s revealing the measure of His justice. What Edom did wasn’t just political—it was spiritual, moral, deeply personal to God.
Remember, Israel was God’s covenant people. Their pain wasn’t just national tragedy—it was relational heartbreak for the Lord.
Gloating Over Israel's Land
Now here’s where things get even more layered. Verse 10 says:
“Because thou hast said, These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will possess it; whereas the Lord was there:”
Ah. Now we get it. Edom wasn’t just gloating. They were greedy. They wanted Israel’s land. They looked at Judah and Israel like vultures circling a dying animal.
They said, “It’ll be ours.” But they forgot one massive, universe-sized detail: the Lord was there.
Isn’t that something? That one little phrase—the Lord was there—is the entire game-changer. Edom might’ve seen an abandoned land, but God saw His dwelling place. His name was on that soil. His presence had walked among those hills and valleys. So for Edom to claim it as theirs? That wasn’t just theft. That was trespassing on holy ground.
It’s like someone breaking into a house thinking it’s empty, only to find the owner sitting inside, fully armed, very aware, and not in the mood.
Blaspheming God With Their Mouths
Verse 13 ramps things up:
“Thus with your mouth ye have boasted against me, and have multiplied your words against me: I have heard them.”
We think words are light, don’t we? Especially when no one hears them. But God says: I heard. All that trash talk Edom spoke—God was listening.
That’s sobering. Makes you wanna think twice about what we say, especially in anger or pride.
See, Edom thought they were just mocking a fallen nation. But when you mock God’s people, you mock God. And when you speak proudly against God, He takes that very personally.
God’s Final Word: Desolation Forever
“Thus saith the Lord God; When the whole earth rejoiceth, I will make thee desolate.” (Ezekiel 35:14)
That’s poetic. When the rest of the world is celebrating restoration, Edom will be in ruins. It’s like saying, You had your time of gloating. Now watch what I do when the tables turn.
This isn’t just punishment—it’s isolation. Edom will be left out of the joy, out of the rebuilding. And why?
Because they couldn’t stand with Israel in suffering. So now they won’t stand with them in restoration.
Heart Lessons: What This Means For Us
Okay, so what’s the takeaway? I mean, most of us aren’t Edomites, right? So how does this chapter apply to our lives?
Let me throw out a few reflections. These are just raw, heart-level takeaways that kept bubbling up while I studied:
1. God Takes Loyalty Seriously
Edom was Israel’s brother. Family. And God expected something from that relationship. Even when nations fall or fail, God watches how others respond.
In a world where betrayal is normal, God honors loyalty.
So if someone you know is going through a tough season—don’t gloat. Don’t say, “Well, they deserved it.” Don’t snatch at their opportunities or rejoice in their loss.
Stand by them. Even if they messed up. Especially if they messed up.
2. God Sees and Hears Everything
All the mocking. The greed. The scheming. The hatred that lives quietly in the heart. None of it escapes His gaze.
That should sober us a little. But it should also comfort us. Because if you’ve ever been on the receiving end of betrayal or mockery, then you know: God hears. God sees. And He doesn't forget.
3. Pride Has a Shelf Life
Edom thought they were untouchable. They thought they could mock and move in and take over. But pride has an expiration date.
When we boast, when we claim what isn’t ours, when we move into spaces God didn’t give us—we’re just building on sand. Sooner or later, that tide’s coming in.
4. Restoration Isn’t For Everyone
Now this one hurts to write. But it’s in the text.
God says that while the earth rejoices, Mount Seir will lie desolate. There are consequences for delighting in another’s downfall. Some people will watch the party from a distance and never get to join.
Sobering, huh?
5. God Defends His People
Even when His own people mess up (and Israel messed up plenty), God still defends them. Even in exile. Even in judgment. He still calls them His. And woe to the one who kicks them while they're down.
That applies to the Church too. Yes, the Church is messy. Imperfect. Hypocritical sometimes. But it's still Christ's bride. And He will rise in her defense.
Prophecy Fulfilled?
Now, if you're into the historical aspect, you'll find that Edom’s decline happened just as God said. Their cities fell. Their people were scattered. By the time of the Maccabees and later on, the Edomites were no longer a strong nation.
By Jesus' time, they had basically disappeared into history. Even King Herod the Great—who was Idumean (a descendant of Edom)—was like the last gasp of this once-proud nation. And even then, he was hated by the Jews. There was no restoration for Edom.
Just as God said.
Final Thoughts: Are We Edom?
Okay, time for the honest question. One we don’t always want to ask:
Are we ever like Edom?
Do we carry silent hatreds? Do we delight in the pain of others—even just a little? Do we rush in to profit from someone else’s ruin? Do we speak against God’s people like it’s no big deal?
If we’re honest… sometimes yes.
But the good news? We’re not stuck there. That’s what repentance is for. That’s what grace is for. That’s what Jesus is for.
We don’t have to live like Edom. We can choose compassion instead of cruelty. Loyalty instead of betrayal. Mercy instead of mockery.
Wrapping It Up
Ezekiel 35 might seem like a dark chapter. Judgment. Desolation. God’s fierce anger. But underneath it, there’s a lesson in loyalty, in justice, and in humility.
It’s a warning—but also a mirror. It asks us to search our hearts. And in doing so, it gently reminds us:
God sees. God cares. God defends.
So let’s be the kind of people who stand with others in their pain. Let’s speak with kindness, not contempt. Let’s love even when it costs us.
Because when the whole earth rejoices, I wanna be part of the celebration—not the desolation.
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