Ezekiel Series: Chapter 36 (Written Version)

 

Blessed Hope for Israel

 

Ezekiel 36

“Son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel and say, ‘Mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says: The enemy said of you, “Aha! The ancient heights have become our possession”’ (Ezekiel 36:1-2).

            Israel and Judah had been scattered throughout the four winds. The Assyrians captured the ten northern tribes of Israel in 722 B.C.E., and Babylon destroyed Judah in 586 B.C.E. They had been judged by God and found guilty because of their rebellion against Him and sins toward one another. Yet, the Lord was going to restore them and gave a prophetic Word of hope to Ezekiel for the Mountains of Israel, which symbolically mean the people of Israel, regarding their future restoration.

            The Lord had taken notice of Israel’s enemies who gloated over her fall. In the previous chapter, God judged the nation of Edom because of their disdain for their sister nation and the glee and schadenfreude that filled their hearts when Judah fell to the Babylonians. They had harbored an old animosity towards Israel and thought they could benefit from their downfall. However, this was not to be because God had given Israel the land that Edom coveted. Just as the Lord had not allowed Israel to take land from Edom, the Lord was not going to allow Edom to take what belonged to Judah, ultimately His, for He was the owner of all that was theirs. As a result, the very evil they hoped for Judah was going to boomerang onto their own heads. The Bible says: “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him” (Proverbs 24:17-20). We are never to take joy in someone else’s suffering because this displeases the Lord and will cause Him to bring judgment upon the one who does this.

“Therefore prophesy and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because they ravaged and crushed you from every side so that you became the possession of the rest of the nations and the object of people’s malicious talk and slander, therefore, mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Sovereign Lord: This is what the Sovereign Lord says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, to the desolate ruins and the deserted towns that have been plundered and ridiculed by the rest of the nations around you—this is what the Sovereign Lord says: In my burning zeal I have spoken against the rest of the nations, and against all Edom, for with glee and with malice in their hearts they made my land their own possession so that they might plunder its pastureland’” (Ezekiel 36:3-5).

            Edom had seen that Judah had been plundered of all its wealth. Now, Edom felt that it was entitled to their land and natural resources. Judah was the slander of their lips and the jokes of their laughter. They had not tried to help Judah but only saw what they could benefit from what remained of their devastation. Yet, there was no reason for Edom to take Judah’s land because the Lord had given them a portion of land and had prevented their enemies from taking what was theirs. Unfortunately, they did not acknowledge the Lord’s goodness. Therefore, they were going to reap what they had sown just as Israel and Judah had.

            Although the Lord had to judge Israel, He had not forsaken them. They were still important to Him, and He was still looking out for their best interest. The Bible says: “For this is what the LORD says: “When Babylon’s seventy years are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you” (Jeremiah 29:11-12). The Lord was not done with His people nor were they discarded. He had good things in store for them, not because of their goodness but because of His.

“Therefore prophesy concerning the land of Israel and say to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I speak in my jealous wrath because you have suffered the scorn of the nations. Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I swear with uplifted hand that the nations around you will also suffer scorn” (Ezekiel 36:6-7).

            The time of judgment would come to an end where the Lord would have pity upon His people. His wrath had been turned from Israel to her enemies who dared to come against His people. Israel was no longer the target of the Most High’s wrath but the other nations who had arrogantly taken pride in their mockery regarding her downfall. They too would know the wrath of God and see that He is Lord over the universe. 

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