Look at this! Chapter 35 has only 15 verses. Ezekiel wrote his theme verse four times, three addressed personally to readers. Then you will know that I AM the Lord. His final reference notes that at the sight of Israel’s desolation, the nations will know I AM the Lord. 
Again Ezekiel used more than one word to describe Edom’s waste and desolation, both noun and verb forms: this is what you will be, and this is what will happen to you. Edom would be desolated, deserted, ruined by God’s judgment against them.1 They would experience total destruction as punishment for their sin since they refused to repent, as when God judged Israel and sent his people into exile.2
Read Ezekiel 35:1-4.
- The Lord called Ezekiel to prophesy against Mount Sier, located in Edom, where Esau’s descendants settled.
“‘Look, I am about to die,’ Esau said. ‘What good is the birthright to me?’ But Jacob said, ‘Swear to me first.’ So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright” (Genesis 25:32-34).
- Esau had no respect for his rights to the “double share of the inheritance, headship of the clan, and covenant representation before the Lord.” His actions demonstrated his preference for earthly pleasures over spiritual benefits.3
- God was against Edom and promised to make it a desolate waste.
- God would make their towns ruins and the people would be desolate.
- Then you, people of Edom, will know I AM is the Lord.
What is significant about Edom’s destruction?
When and how do we “sell out” or prefer earthly pleasure over spiritual benefits?
Read Ezekiel 35:5-9.
- Edom held a grudge, ancient hostility, against Israel.
- Ezekiel used three different words to describe hatred in this passage. He used a strong noun that refers to animosity between mortal enemies.4 The verb form indicates hatred toward God or people, and is the direct opposite of love.5
- They delivered Israel to the sword during Israel’s punishment.
- That is, they seized the opportunity to add to their brothers’ destruction and calamity.
- Because of their mistreatment of Israel, God would cause violence and bloodshed to pursue Edom.
- If Edom wanted to treat their neighbors violently, God would repay them with violence.
- “Edom was condemned for not helping Israel in the time of Israel’s punishment.”6
- The Lord would make Mount Seir a desolate waste.
- He would isolate them and destroy the life of all who passed through the land.7 Those killed by the sword would fall on the mountains, valleys, and ravines, filling the whole land.
- The Lord would make them desolate forever and no one would inhabit their towns.
- Then you, Edom, will know that I AM the Lord.
- Edom would be forced to recognize and acknowledge once again the Lord is the One True God.
When might we be tempted to add to another’s destruction and calamity?
How did the Lord force Edom to acknowledge He is the Lord, the great I AM?
Read Ezekiel 35:10-15.
- Edom declared they would take possession of Judah and Israel, even though those nations belonged to the Lord. There’s an implication they would drive people out of those lands.8
- God declared he would treat Edom in accordance with the jealousy and hatred they showed Judah and Israel.
- Through his judgment of Edom, the Lord would make himself clearly known to all Judah and Israel.
- Edom would know that I AM heard all the insults they spoke against Israel.
- Their words rejected the Lord in a harmful attack against his holy land.9
- Edom claimed Israel was laid waste and given to them to consume.
- Edom spoke against the Lord when they declared their own plans for Israel, separate from the Lord’s judgment.
- The Lord presented the earth’s rejoicing as a contrast to God making Edom desolate.
- Edom rejoiced when God made Israel desolate.
“‘But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance. Jacob will be a fire and Joseph a flame; Esau will be stubble, and they will set him on fire and destroy him. There will be no survivors from Esau.’ The Lord has spoken” (Obadiah 17-18).
- God would treat Edom the same: when he made Mount Seir desolate, the nations would rejoice.
- Then they—all the other nations—would know I AM the Lord.
Where might we find God’s mercy in this chapter?
How do the Lord’s actions show other nations he is the great I AM?
- Warren Baker, D.R.E. The Complete Word Study Old Testament. King James Version. AMG Publishers, 1994, p. 375, 685
- Ibid., 1165
- Bible Hub. Interlinear Bible: Hebrew. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/1062.htm
- Baker, 41
- Ibid., 1175
- Ibid., 814
- Bible Hub. Interlinear Bible: Hebrew. https://biblehub.com/hebrew/3772.htm
- Baker, 478
- Ibid., 697