The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Ezekiel 35:4,
"I will turn your towns into ruins and you will be desolate. Then you will know that I am the Lord."
As the Lord pronounces his judgment upon Edom, he says he will make them "a desolate waste" with an end result in mind: "Then you will know that I am the Lord."
In fact, in this short chapter of fifteen verses the Lord makes the statement that he is destroying them that they know he is the Lord four times! Verses 4, 9, 12 and 15. He is going to destroy Mount Seir, that they know that he is the Lord.
He is going to destroy Edom because of their treatment of Israel. Woe to the nation that mistreats Israel! Israel has had her problems with God and he has been severe with her. However, because of the patriarchs, Israel has been and will always be God's chosen people. It is ill-advised to mistreat God's elect, God's people. It is not that God will not allow it to happen, and here, where Israel had turned her back on God and suffered because of it, those who brought that suffering are now going to suffer because they mistreated Israel and participated in her destruction.
I am reminded that God never does anything without good reason. What stands out in this chapter is that in his judgment of Edom, an intended result is that they will know he is the Lord. I am also reminded of what the Lord told Pharaoh as God brought his plagues against Egypt, "I [the Lord] raised you [Pharaoh] up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."
"I will turn your towns into ruins and you will be desolate. Then you will know that I am the Lord."
As the Lord pronounces his judgment upon Edom, he says he will make them "a desolate waste" with an end result in mind: "Then you will know that I am the Lord."
In fact, in this short chapter of fifteen verses the Lord makes the statement that he is destroying them that they know he is the Lord four times! Verses 4, 9, 12 and 15. He is going to destroy Mount Seir, that they know that he is the Lord.
He is going to destroy Edom because of their treatment of Israel. Woe to the nation that mistreats Israel! Israel has had her problems with God and he has been severe with her. However, because of the patriarchs, Israel has been and will always be God's chosen people. It is ill-advised to mistreat God's elect, God's people. It is not that God will not allow it to happen, and here, where Israel had turned her back on God and suffered because of it, those who brought that suffering are now going to suffer because they mistreated Israel and participated in her destruction.
I am reminded that God never does anything without good reason. What stands out in this chapter is that in his judgment of Edom, an intended result is that they will know he is the Lord. I am also reminded of what the Lord told Pharaoh as God brought his plagues against Egypt, "I [the Lord] raised you [Pharaoh] up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."
God wants us to know him. His purpose on planet earth is the salvation of all mankind that will embrace him in faith. People need to know him for the advancement of that agenda. And, beyond that, when unbelievers reject God, he wants them to know that he is the one who is judging them.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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