12/3/06. Ezk :1-15 The destruction of the land of Edom.

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1 1 2 12/3/06 Ezk The prophet Ezekiel has already given the judgment of the Gentile nations. Ezk * Edom was included in those judgments for their treachery towards Israel. Ezk. 25:12-14 But now God focuses on the Last Days scenario of Edom is in contrast to Israel by reversing the curse on the mountains of Israel spoken in chapter six by removing the oppression of Edom and pouring out the blessing on Israel. Ezk. 35:1-36:15 The chapter division is most unfortunate, which were made in the thirteenth century, for it interrupts the natural flow of the section. 1. The better division would be in the middle of the next chapter. Ezk. 35:1-36:15 2. The prophetic formula makes clear their relationship and contrast, and by the inter-related mention of both Edom and Israel. Ezk. 35:1, 36:1 35:1-15 The destruction of the land of Edom. 35:1-4 The judgment against mount Seir. vs ) The revelation came after the judgment against the shepherds that fed themselves, evident by the word Moreover by divine authority. vs, 1 2)The revelation to the prophet is again judgment but in view of restoration of Israel. vs. 2 a) The prophet is addressed again by his title, Son of man. vs. 2a b) The orders are to declare judgment, Set your face against Mount Seir and prophesy against it, vs. 2b 1)) The phrase has been used already of God being against individuals. 2)) Mount Seir was the location of the descendents of Esau in Modern day Jordan, 100 miles in length and about 20 miles wide. 3)) The city of Petra was the capital of the Edomites made them arrogant due to the impregnability of the fortress, a snake-like gorge with emmense cliffs. 4)) Esau was the brother of Jacob, twins, God said the were two nations. Gen. 25:23 3) The judgment to come would be at the very hand of God. vs. 3 a) The prophet was to be the mouth-piece of God by divine authority. vs. 3a-b b) The tone is one of severity. vs. 3c-f * Mount Seir represent the whole nation of Edom. Gen. 14:6; 36:30

2 3 4 4) The judgment would be complete. vs. 4 a) The word desolate shemonah describes the effects of God s judgment. Ezk. 6:14; 7:27; 29:9 b) The word is used seven times towards Edom. vs. 3, 7, 9, 12, 14 c) She would acknowledge Yahweh. vs. 4c * This formula is repeated three times at the end of each section for judgment. vs. 4, 9, 15 35:5-9 The reason for the judgment against the people of Mount Seir and consequences. 1) The reasons given are two. vs. 5 a) Due to their attitude, they had a perpetual hatred of Israel. vs. 5a 1)) The word hatred eybah speaks of an intense feeling of hatred that existed between Edom and Israel. Ezk. 25: )) The word is used of the Seed of the serpent and of the woman. Gen. 3:15 3)) So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him. Gen. 27:41 4)) Edom did not give passage to Israel but came out against. Num. 20:20 5)) I have loved you," says the LORD. Yet you say, `In what way have You loved us?' Was not Esau Jacob's brother?" Says the LORD. "Yet Jacob I have loved; But Esau I have hated. Mal. 1:2, Rom. 9:13 6)) Esau is called a profane person, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. Heb. 12:16 b) Due to their deeds, they personally partnered with Babylon in killing the Israelites at the fall of Jerusalem, acting treacherously. vs. 5b-c 1)) Edom stood on the other side as one with Israel but when Israel came over, they stood in the crossroads and cut them off and delivered them to Babylon. Ob. 1:11, 14 2)) Edom gazed and gloated in their captivity, rejoiced in their destruction speaking proudly. Ob. 1:12 3)) Edom entered the gates gloating at their misery and took their possessions. Ob. 1:13 4)) Edom celebrated in drink about Israel s calamity. Ob. 1:16

3 5 6 c) Obediah proclaim judgment over Edom for their treachery. Ob. 1:6, 8, 9, 18, 19; Mal. 1:3 1)) Then saviors shall come to Mount Zion To judge the mountains of Esau, And the kingdom shall be the LORD'S. Ob. 1:21 2)) In 300 B.C. the Edomites were taken by the Nabataean Arabs. 3)) In 165 B.C. Judas Maccabaeus took Hebron which was their capital. 4)) In 126 B.C. John Hyrcanus subdued the Edomites and forced them to become circumcised as Jews. Gen. 12:3 5)) Edom is a type of the flesh, the last Edomite known was Herod, who tried to destroy Jesus. Matt. 2:13 2) The consequences would be the principle of sowing and reaping. vs. 6-7 a) The penalty of judgment is the conclusion based on the facts by an oath. vs. 6a-b b) The day of execution would be prepared by God. vs. 6c-f * There is a play on words in the Hebrew! c) The judgment would be executed by God Himself, being complete and total. vs. 7 3) The entire land would be judged. vs. 8 a) God takes full responsibility. vs. 8a b) God would miss no area. vs. 8b 4) Their land would become uninhabited. vs. 9a-b * Once again God is the judge! 5) They would acknowledge God. vs. 9c * But too late for repentance! 35:10-15 The crime of the people of mount Seir. 1) Their words regarding their coveting of the land of Israel, despite knowing Yahweh was present. vs. 10 a) God quoted their very words. vs. 10a-c * The two nations are Israel in the north and Judah in the south. b) God did not take to their indifference to Him. vs. 10d 2) Their treacherous crime would be repaid, vs. 11 a) God decrees it by and oath. vs. 11a-c b) God would treat them as they treated Israel. vs. 11d c) God would reveal Himself to Israel at the time of their judgment. vs. 11e 3) Their hearts would be revealed. vs. 12

4 7 8 a) They would acknowledge Yahweh. vs. 12a b) They would realize Yahweh heard their vicious words against Israel. vs. 12b * Blasphemies meaning contemptible things! c) They would be exposed for their greed. vs. 12c-e 4) Their arrogant words against God would have to be faced. vs. 13 5) Their judgment would be celebrated by all. vs. 14 6) The summary statement of Edom s judgment. vs. 15 a) Eight times the phrase I will is found in this chapter. vs b) To insure no mistake, Edom is named! c)the city of Petra, Sela of which she boasted as her fortress lies desolate to the very day. d) The scriptures seem to indicate Petra will be the place where God will protect Israel during her flight from the Anti-christ. Rev. 12:14, Is. 16:1 36:1-15 The restoration of the land of Israel. 36:1-7 The prophecy over the mountains of Israel by God s intervention of their past ill treatment. 1) The prophecy comes through Ezekiel once again by the usual title of Son of man and is commissioned to say, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD! vs. 1 a) The mountains of Israel are personified for the people and land. b) The revelation is the word of the Lord, not the false prophets. 2) The purpose behind the prophecy is due to the delight of the enemy of Israel over possessing the land of Israel. vs. 2 a) The prophetic formula precedes it to identify the authority, Thus says the Lord GOD. vs. 2a * Seven times between verse 1-7. b) The reason is stated, Because the enemy has said of you, Aha! The ancient heights have become our possession. vs. 2b-d 1)) The word Aha was a derogatory term of mockery. vs. 2b; 25:3; 26:2 2)) The reference to the ancient heights is the land of Israel. vs. 2c 3)) The declaration was that it had become their own. vs. 2d

5 9 10 3) The specifics of the prophecy regarding Israel are five. vs. 3-7 a. The first deals with Israel being disperse and disrespected. vs. 3 1)) The word therefore is a concluding word of what precedes, occurring five times. vs )) The prophecy again contains the prophetic formula to insure divine authority, prophesy, and say, Thus says the Lord GOD. vs. 3be 3)) The personal guilt of the enemy is stated. vs. 3f 4)) The consequence was to be taken from their land. vs. 3g 5)) The humiliation was constant. vs. 3h b) The second deals with the entire land being devastated. vs. 4 1)) The word therefore means, in view of the fact. vs. 4a 2)) The mountains of Israel again personify the entire land. vs. 4b 3)) The prophetic formula is repeated. vs. 4c-d * The repetition is for emphasis! 4)) The prophet is itemizes the various landscape of the land of Israel to be restored. vs. 4e-j c.) The third deals with God s vindication against the nations who presumed to allocate the land to themselves. vs. 5 1)) Once again, in view of the facts by the word therefore. vs. 5a 2)) The authority follows, Thus says the Lord GOD. vs. 5a 3)) The posture of God is judgment, Surely I have spoken in My burning jealousy. vs. 5b 4)) The particular individuals are named, Against the rest of the nations and against all Edom. vs. 5b * The word nations are in the plural. vs. 5, 6, 7 5)) Their deed was arrogant and evil, Who gave My land to themselves as a possession, with wholehearted joy and spiteful minds, in order to plunder its open country. vs. 5c d) The fourth deals with God s defense on behalf of the land. vs. 6 1)) Again Therefore, in view of the fact. vs. 6a 2)) The prophetic formula follows. vs. 6a 3)) The proclamation of God s love and protection is stated. vs, 6b-g

6 )) The reason is given, Because you have borne the shame of the nations. vs. 6h e) The fifth deals with the certainty of the judgment. vs. 7 1)) Again Therefore, in view of the fact. vs. 7a 2)) The authority has not change, it is still divine. vs. 7a 3)) The proclamation of judgment is with an oath in the divine courtroom by the divine judge. vs. 7b 36:8-15 The prophecy over the mountains is in view of their future fruitfulness. 1) The mountains would be fruitful. vs. 8 a) This is still future, what we see today is only in part. b) The restoration is in view of the Millennium, being in part, progressive and the final fulfillment. Ezk ) The reason for the fruitfulness. vs. 9 a) God would be on their side. vs. 9a b) God would bring about the blessing. vs. 9b c) God would have the people do the work. vs. 9c * The ultimate fulfillment is future! 3) The people and the land would be one. vs. 10 a) God would increase the population, I will multiply men upon you. vs. 10a b) God would cause the entire land to be occupied. vs. 10b-c 4) Their restoration would be better than their former history. vs. 11 a) The perfect balance will exist in the land. vs. 11a-d b) The purposed goal would be accomplished, knowing He was the LORD. vs. 11e * This is clear evidence that is just prior to the Millennium, for the Jew today do not acknowledge God, as a nation! 5) The summary statement is given. vs. 12 * Five time in this chapter we find the phrase I will. vs. 9, 10, 11, 12 6) The Lord would do all this to vindicate Israel of the false accusations by the nations. vs ) The Lord God would exalt Israel before all the nations. vs. 15 a) Never to be ridiculed and insulted. vs. 15a b) Never to be scorned. vs. 15b c) Never cause the nation to fail. vs. 15 d) The Bible is clear, the land was given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Ishmael was not a Palestinian, he was the son

7 13 14 of an Egyptian and Abraham from Ur of the Chaldeans. Gen. 11:28; 16:15 e) The land and the Jewish people go together. Gen. 12:7; 13:17; 15:18, 50:24, Deut. 6:3 f) And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the valleys and in all the inhabited places of the country. Ezk. 34:13 8) Ezekiel does not agree with many Christian Seminaries and churches today, teaching Replacement Theology. a) The phrase replacement theology is used by those who teach that God is through with the nation of Israel and that now the church is the new Israel of God. b) This stands against the whole teaching of the Bible, Genesis to Revelation. c) This is taught by spiritualizing and interpreting the Scriptures subjectively and figuratively. d) This is an insult to God and borders on Anti-Semitism. Gen. 12:3; Rom. 11:25 e) The identity given to Israel in the Old Testament. 1)) Chosen. Deut. 7:6; 14:2; Ps. 105:43 2)) Holy. Ex. 19:6; Lev. 19:2; Jer. 2:3 3)) Beloved. 1kings 10:9; 2Chron. 9:8; Hos. 11:1 f) The same identity is given to the church in the New Testament. 1Pet. 2:9-12 1)) The only connection is their identity to God, His people, one is the wife who has been put away, the other His bride, the church. 2)) There is no replacement intended, taught nor prophesied. g) Jesus rejected the nation as He wept. Matt. 23: )) Paul says, Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. Rom. 11:5 2)) Paul again says, For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. Rom. 11:25 3)) John reveals God s protective hand on Israel from the Anti-christ

8 15 16 after the abomination of desolation. Rev. 12:13, )) Isaiah declares, Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD S house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it Is. 2:2-5 36:16-38 The restoration of the nation to the land in view of the holiness of God. * The better division would be 36:16-37:28. 36:16-21 The past sinful recognition of Israel. 1) The people of Israel were guilty of sin by God s divine revelation. vs ) The nation had been disobedient and defiled herself by her own ways and deeds, separating them from God. a) The house of Israel is identified three times. vs. 17, 21, 22 b) A picture of a period in which a woman was unable to approach God in fellowship. Lev. 15:19-30 c) The reason being that God is holy, Isaiah says the same. Is. 64:6 d) All the idolatry and image of Jealousy was revealed to Ezekiel even at the present time, as the Glory of the Yahweh was departing. Ezk :18-19 The people of Israel were judged for their sins. 1) Yahweh punished them for their sin against man and God. vs. 18 a) They had murder people, breaking the second table of the Ten Commandments. b) They had perverted God s image wit idols defiling themselves, breaking the first table of the Ten Commandments. vs. 18b 2) Moses said, See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. Deut. 30:15-19; Lev. 26 2) God drove them away from their land, vs. 19 a) Yahweh was true to His words of the covenant and scattered them. vs. 19ab 1)) He allowed the Northern Kingdom to be taken into captivity by Assyrian in 722 B.C. 2)) He allowed three sieges of Jerusalem to be carried off to Babylon in 606, 596, 586 B.C. b) Yahweh judged them justly. vs. 19c 36:20-21 The people of Israel profaned the name of God.

9 )Yahweh charged His people profaned His name among the nations. vs, 20a-c a) My holy name. b) The reference to His name involves who He was in His person, His character, reputation, honor and His holiness. c) The chief character of God is His holiness. 1)) The first time Isaiah reveals this is when he saw the Lord high and lifted up, sitting on His throne. Is. 6:1-5 2)) The Seraphims were declaring Holy, holy, holy. vs )) The result was that Isaiah saw his own sinfulness before a Holy God. vs )) The name of God is to be revered and honored and considered so holy that it was written only in consonants YHVH, so as to not be able to pronounce it, called the Tetragramaton. 2) Yahweh says how His name was profaned. vs. 20d-e a) Through the Gentile knew Israel were the people of God, yet they were living among the Babylonians. b) Through the logical observation the Gentile concluded God was not able to take care of them, no different than other gods. 3) Yahweh will defend the honor to His name. vs. 21 a) Yahweh stands in sharp contrast to Israel unholy life, But I had concern for My holy name. vs. 21a 1)) The word concern chamal means to feel pity, compassion for His own name, He would care for it. * God puts no trust in His saints, and the heavens are not pure in His sight. Job 15:15 2)) They thought Yahweh was unholy but His name and the nature of His person was the epitome of holiness. 3)) There is also the sharp contrast between what the Gentile thoughts about Yahweh s name and His own thoughts. b) Which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations wherever they went. vs. 21b 4) Every person is responsible for their sins and can dishonor the name of God by their conduct. a) However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme,

10 19 20 the child also who is born to you shall surely die. 2Sam. 12:14 b) He allows some to reap what they sow. Gal. 6:7-8 c) He disciplines others through sickness or death. 1Cor. 11:30 d) He is to revered and honored by us, But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. 1Pet. 3: :22-32 The restoration of Israel would vindicate God s holiness. 1) The general proclamation of the restoration. vs a) The principle reason for the restoration of Israel was for his name sake. vs. 22 b) The name of God is the focus, implying His holiness! vs. 20, 22, 23 2) The principle goal for restoration of Israel. vs. 23 a) To sanctify My great name. vs. 23a-c b) To have the nations confess His name. vs. 23d-f 36:24-30 The particular proclamation of the restoration. 1) God would bring them back to their land regardless of the seeming impossibility. vs. 24 a) The first mention of their re-gathering, given them a new heart and put in a new spirit in them. Ezk. 11:13-20, 20:41-42 b) This in short-tern fulfillment came to pass as Cyrus God s anointed gave the decree for the Jews to return in 538 B.C. Ezra 1:1-4 c) The long-term fulfillment is being fulfilled and will ultimately be completely fulfilled at the end of the Great-Tribulation. * Count the number of time the phrase I will appears. 2) God in the final re-gathering would bring them under the New Covenant. vs * This has not taken place, nor can it take place till the Second Coming of Jesus in preparation for the Millennium! a) He would purify them. vs. 25 * Ezekiel being trained as priest new the importance of holiness before God! b) He would equip them. vs. 26 1)) The heart of stone being rebellious and self-willed.

11 )) The heart of flesh in this context does not refer to sin but is a direct contrast, being obedient and submissive, to know God. Jer. 24:7 3)) The heart in scripture involves the intellect the emotions and the will of man. 4)) The prophet called for them to get a new heart and a new spirit. Ezk. 18:31; Jer. 31:31-34; Joel 2:28-32; Heb. 8:7-13; Rom. 11: )) The end result would be a circumcised heart. Deut. 30:6 c) He would enable them. vs. 27 1)) The spirit is what drives and enables man. 2)) The giving of the Spirit to Israel is a sign of the Messianic Age Is. 42:1, 44:3 59:21 d) He would reconcile them to Himself as He promised. vs. 28 * To dwell in the land and be in fellowship with God. * Short-term. Jer. 33:23-26; Hos. 14:4-8; Amos 9:11-15 e) He would bless and prosper them. vs )) By sanctifying them. vs. 29a 2)) By blessing their harvest. vs. 29b- 30a 3)) By exalting and honoring them. vs. 30b a)) This has not happened in the past on a world wide scope only a local or individual nation. b)) This can only be identifying what happens after the Second Coming or entering the Millennium. 36:31-32 The lamentable proclamation at the restoration. 1) True and genuine contrition will grip the hearts of Israel. vs. 31 * This was mentioned throughout the book. Ezk. 6:9; 20:43; 16:61, 62, 63 2) True humility and brokenness will be in the hearts of Israel. vs. 32 a) For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Is. 57:15 b) God will search out, sanctify and spirit fill them, removing their blindness. 36:33-38 The future reconciliation of Israel in the Kingdom will be marked by holiness.

12 ) The Kingdom Age will be like paradise. vs a) The authority is divine specifying His Second return. vs. 33b b) The One responsible for all the fruitfulness is unmistakable. vs. 33c- 34 2) The nations of the world will acknowledge it was the Lord s doing. vs a) The nations will be in awe of the transformation. vs. 35 * Is. 11:6-9; 51:3; Joel 3:18; Amos 9:13-15 b) The nations will know Yahweh did it as He prophesied it. vs. 36 c) The people will acknowledge their Messiah. vs. 37d 1)) So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Matt. 19:28 2)) All the nations will know who the Lord is, They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea. Is. 11:9 36:37-38 The Kingdom Age will be a time of worshipping their Messiah. 1) Israel will have Jesus as their High Priest. vs. 37 a) This is by divine authority. vs. 37a b) This will be to bless their petitions. vs. 37b-c 2) Israel will be holy to the Lord likened to a flock. vs. 38 a) The people will be holy as the holy offerings, Like a flock offered as holy sacrifices. vs. 38a b) The people will be numerous. vs. 38bc