37 lines
1.9 KiB
Markdown
37 lines
1.9 KiB
Markdown
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title = "Ezekiel 35:1–15"
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date = "2023-06-11"
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### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ezekiel35.1-15)
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Mount Seir was in the most prominent mountain range of the country of Edom, and
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used as a synonym for the whole nation. It was situated southeast of the Dead
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Sea and contained generally poorer land than the areas the Caananites and then
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the Israelites occupied. History between Edom and Israel had generally not been
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pleasant, going all the way back to their founding fathers, Esau and Jacob.
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This prophecy comes against Edom because of the enmity they maintained against
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Israel. The Lord mentions the time of Israel's calamity and final punishment,
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and I can't tell if that's relative to Ezekiel's time period or to the end of
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days like the last chapter, referring to the Tribulation or Daniel's Seventieth
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Week. In either case, Israel is made desolate, and Edom rejoiced over this,
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therefore the Lord will bring a sword against Edom and make it desolate in
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return.
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Beyond just gloating over Israel's downfall, Edom desired to take possession of
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the land that was not promised to them. The Lord's promises remained in effect
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even while He was chastising His people for the sins they had been committing.
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As we have seen, He always planned to restore the righteous remnant to the
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land He gave their fathers after purifying them through the trials they faced.
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In contrast to Edom's envy, the Lord protected Edom from Israel when they
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marched to conquer Canaan. The most direct route was through Edom's territory,
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and Israel asked Edom to be granted safe passage through, purchasing food and
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provisions along the way instead of just raiding for them. Edom refused, so the
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Lord led Israel the long way around instead of sending retribution against Edom.
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* * *
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You are patient, but Your mercy is not extended forever. Just because things
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have gone on for a long time doesn't mean they last forever.
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