Ezekiel 35 Commentary
Edom is Israel’s aggressive brother and neighbor. It isn’t a case of one mockingly laughing at the defeat of the opponent in a game of football. Edom’s hatred of Israel is deep-rooted. It goes all the way back to their parents, Jacob and Esau – an age-old grudge.
The picture given is that Edom actually participates in looting Israel during the Babylonian attack. They probably also kill off weak and fleeing sections of Israel’s population.
Edom may easily stand for an age-old enemy of the saints. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He is not a passive and peaceful neighbor. One blink of an eye; one nap and the sword is on your throat. He rejoices at your downfall. He desires your destruction.
For these offenses, the LORD promises to make Edom a ruin and a desolate wasteland. It is a sigh of relief to the saint.
Isn’t this scripture also speaking to the Edom in each one of us?
Remove the layers of reason or justification. Remove the military language and objectives – the rules of the game, albeit play and real. Remove the undertones of competition, albeit in sports, entertainment, business, or even religion. Remove family feuds. Then you have the core demon in your hands called hatred. This is what the LORD punishes Edom for.
The thought that the LORD can only keep my ship afloat by sinking other ships is a clear manifestation of hatred.
Greediness isn’t far. Edom looks at Israel and thinks of ‘taking over’. “These two nations [Israel and Judah] and these two lands shall be mine, and we will take possession of them.” Guilt on Law no. 10; you shall not covet your neighbor’s house.
For short, the LORD promises to punish and destroy all the underlying evil elements regardless of reason, masking, sugarcoats, or any other form of justification – hatred, greediness, idolatry, and the like.
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