Today the prophet denounces Edom (where Mount Seir is located) for the gloating of its inhabitants. Ever since...
Today the prophet denounces Edom (where Mount Seir is located) for the gloating of its inhabitants. Ever since David's time the Edomites had been at odds with Israel, so they welcomed the fall of the kingdom of Israel with joy. In the context of Old Testament morality, "love your neighbor and hate your enemy," Edom appears to be right in rejoicing over the fall of its enemy. Yet according to the prophet, here Edom is opposing God Himself, who dwells among His people.
The New Testament awareness that every person, bearing the image of God, is worthy of God's love makes gloating a fundamental sin against God. Every hatred and aggression toward a human being becomes rejection of the One in whose likeness that person was created. If we understand that all the people around us carry this seed of divine life within them, then the commandment to love our enemies will turn from a mad paradox into natural worship of God's presence in His greatest creation, the human person.
35 A prophecy against Edom for their hatred to Israel, Eze 35:1-13.
Their ruin shall be perpetual, Eze 35:14-15.
35:2 Mount Seir - The Edomites, who inhabited it.
35:5 Their iniquity - When their iniquity was punished on them, which brought them to final ruin.
35:6 And blood - Thy guilt, and my just revenge of innocent blood.Hast not hated - Thou hast loved, rather than hated, blood - shed; therefore vengeance for it follows thee.
35:7 That passeth out - All travellers that go to or from Edom.
35:9 Return - To their former glory.
35:10 Though - Though God was with Israel.
35:11 Judged - Punished thee.
35:14 The whole earth - The inhabitants of all the countries round about thee. Rejoiceth - Is in peace and plenty.