Ezekiel 35

CHAPTERS 35 AND 36THEME: Edom judged; prediction of Israel’s sins judged and forgivenChapters 35 and 36 deal with the future restoration of Israel. There are two things which must happen before the people can be restored to the land in peace: Edom must be judged, and Israel’s past sins must be judged and forgiven. The judgment predicted here was fulfilled upon Edom, but it also is prophetic of the judgment which is in store for the enemies of Israel which is still future in our day.

Ezekiel 35:1

EDOM JUDGEDChapter 35 deals with the judgment and removal of Mount Seir (or Edom) which must take place before Israel can be restored to the land. These verses refer to Edom, and in Edom there was the rock-hewn city known as Petra. The city is still there, but there is no more desolate area anywhere than that place.

Ezekiel 35:5

God gives the reason for the judgment of Edom. Edom is the people descended from Esau, Jacob’s brother. Esau was Jacob’s bitterest enemy, and the people of Edom probably hurt the people of Israel more than any other enemy they had. Edom represents the enemy of God in this world today, that enemy who is going to rise against God in the last days under the Antichrist.

Ezekiel 35:9

Ezekiel has previously mentioned Edom’s judgment in Eze_25:12-14. Why does he mention it here again? I believe that it is to show that God has a program for the nation Israel. They are to be restored to the land, a place of blessing. They will be put back in the land in peace. However, the enemy is still about, and so God will judge the enemy. The people will be back in the land worshiping God, and living in peace and blessing. What a glorious future is ahead for them!