Verse 1
PROPHECY AGAINST EDOM
It is rather surprising to have another prophecy against Edom at this particular place in Ezekiel, especially since he had just concluded one against the same people back in Ezekiel 25; and a number of scholars have attempted to explain this.
Cooke noted that this prophecy, "Gives greater detail, indicating that Edom had recently aggravated their offenses against the covenant people and their God. Also the full accomplishment of God's purpose required the return of the captives to Palestine; and Edom had proposed to hinder that purpose by laying claim to Palestine itself."[1]
Dummelow observed that, "Before the land could be returned to its rightful owners, all false claims had to be disposed of. The prophecy had already disposed of the false claims of that conceited remnant in Judea (Ezekiel 33:23-29); and this was a logical place to take care of the false claims of Edom."[2]
Keil pointed out that, "The prophecy does not apply to Edom alone, because Edom here stands as a representative of the whole world of mankind in their hostility toward God and the covenant people."[3] Edom was thus used also by Isaiah in chapters 34,43 as a representative standing for the entire wicked world; and in our Commentary on those chapters, it was pointed out just how appropriate this use of Edom really was. The same is true here.
The meaning of this prophecy against Edom, therefore, is simply that no wicked nation on earth would be allowed to interfere with God's bringing his righteous remnant back from Babylon at the end of their punishment, and again establishing them in their ancient homeland.
"Moreover the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against mount Seir, and prophesy against it, and say unto it, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against thee, O mount Seir, and I will stretch out my hand against thee, and will make thee a desolation and an astonishment."
"Set thy face against mount Seir ..." (Ezekiel 35:2). The prophecy is against the people called Edom, the descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother, who occupied the rugged country southeast of the Dead Sea. Here "mount Seir" stands for the people.
"This area in Graeco-Roman times was called Idumaea";[4] the stronghold of the area was the Edomite capital of Petra, also called Sela, a rockbound fortress with magnificent stone palaces, the ruins of which are still impressive. "I am against thee, O mount Seir ..." (Ezekiel 35:2). The following verses suggest a fourfold indictment against the Edomites:
(1) They had aided Babylon in their final conquest of Jerusalem. Taylor suggested that they bartered with Nebuchadnezzar, offering their support for portions of Judea after the conquest.[5]
(2) Edom had attempted to annex Israel's territory.
(3) Her joyful exultation over Judah's fall was a shameful expression of her attitude toward God's people.
(4) The Edomites from the very beginning of their history had maintained a perpetual enmity against Israel (Amos 1:11). "This enmity against Israel, in the last analysis was also bitter and implacable enmity against God Himself."[6]
The serious nature of this quadruple indictment was pointed out by Beasley-Murray. For example, Edom's claiming part of Judea as her own possession contradicted the prior claim of God Himself who had preempted it for his Chosen People. In view of God's intention of again moving the Jews into the land, "Edom's claim was little short of blasphemy in the eyes of God and of his prophets."[7]
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