God's Sovereign Choice

In Ezekiel 35, the prophet again rebukes the Edomites in excoriating judgment for their attitude and actions toward Israel. The Edomites were guilty of seeking to take advantage of Israel's demise and even assisted the Babylonians in their conquest of them. 

Psalm 137:7 (ESV) Remember, O LORD, against the Edomites the day of Jerusalem, how they said, “Lay it bare, lay it bare, down to its foundations!”

Therefore, the Lord announces the vengeance He plans to take against this ancient nemesis against His people. 

Ezekiel 35:1–3 (ESV) The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, set your face against Mount Seir, and prophesy against it, 3 and say to it, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am against you, Mount Seir, and I will stretch out my hand against you, and I will make you a desolation and a waste.

Now, we find more insight into Edom's hostility toward Israel in this chapter. It was not simply a border dispute or complex relations between neighboring countries. No, Ezekiel references an "ancient hostility" on Edom's part toward Israel:

Ezekiel 35:5 (ESV) Because you cherished perpetual enmity and gave over the people of Israel to the power of the sword at the time of their calamity, at the time of their final punishment,

The word in Hebrew for "perpetual enmity" could be translated as “ancient hostility,” and it refers to that bitter hatred of the fountain heads who birthed these nations, Jacob and Esau. Esau is a picture of the man who disregards the Lord and sells his birthright for a bowl of stew. Jacob, while no saint, longed for God's blessing and favor and received it. Of course, Genesis 25 teaches us that these two men were selected to go the ways according to God's sovereign choice.

Genesis 25:23 (ESV) And the LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.”

We see a picture of the world in Edom, including its disregard for the Lord and hatred of His people. This ancient hostility will not die.

Jesus informed the disciples:

John 15:19 (ESV) If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

John got the message:

1 John 3:13 (ESV) Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.

What we also see in this chapter is the judgment of God upon those who hate His people. 

Ezekiel 35:7–9 (ESV) I will make Mount Seir a waste and a desolation, and I will cut off from it all who come and go. 8 And I will fill its mountains with the slain. On your hills and in your valleys and in all your ravines those slain with the sword shall fall. 9 I will make you a perpetual desolation, and your cities shall not be inhabited. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

From here on in the chapter, we get a better look at Edom's ambitions by which she sought to help Babylon destroy Israel. They perceived an opportunity to undo what they considered an ancient wrong. God's sovereign choice of Jacob.

Ezekiel 35:10–12 (ESV) “Because you said, ‘These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will take possession of them’—although the LORD was there— 11 therefore, as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will deal with you according to the anger and envy that you showed because of your hatred against them. And I will make myself known among them, when I judge you. 12 And you shall know that I am the LORD. “I have heard all the revilings that you uttered against the mountains of Israel, saying, ‘They are laid desolate; they are given us to devour.’

Now look at what verse 10 stipulates. "The Lord was there". Remember back in Ezekiel 10-11, the prophet saw the glory of the Lord departing the land. Yet even though the glory departed, God was still there. This reflects His firm commitment to His promises, never leaving His people though they sin and are punished by Him. 

Christians can learn valuable lessons from this chapter. We understand that hatred by the world is our birthright, being the beloved of the Lord. We can take that animosity for what it is - a sign we do not belong, nor should we try. Second, we can rest in the promise of God. Like Jacob, we are not perfect, and in many ways, we still struggle with our sinful nature, but God is faithful to discipline and perfect us while not leaving us. We also learn that our inheritance is ours and no one can take it. God is faithful even when we are faithless. 

In the later chapters of Ezekiel, that glory that departed will be promised to return. And like Israel, we await the glory of the Lord in the face of Jesus Christ at His return for us. 

1 Peter 4:12–13 (ESV) Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

Amen.