Ezekiel chapter 35 has only 15 verses. Containing bad news for the Country once called “Edom!” Yet good news for the Israelites! Herein God denunciates, promises judgment upon those Jew-hating people.

Yet the name “Edom” per se does not occur in the whole chapter, not in English. Instead, the “enemy” is called “Mount Seir,” four times in fact. “Seir” in Hebrew means “shaggy” and may be a description of the whole area (geographically) occupied by the Edomites. South of Judah, way down past the Dead Sea. Once in our chapter, its last verse, this land is called “Idumea.” Which virtually is the word “Edom,” but in Hebrew.

One interesting fact about this chapter is that God gives His “Reasons” for judging that Country, its inhabitants.

One … because the Edomites (descendants of Isaac through Esau, not Jacob) despised the Jewish people (their distant relatives) so much that they cooperated when Babylon conquered Judah! “BECAUSE thou hast had a perpetual (everlasting) hatred, and hast shed the blood of (helped murder) the children of Israel by the force of the sword in the time of their calamity (when Babylon attacked Judah), in the time that their iniquity had an end (when God fiercely judged her sin). Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will prepare thee unto blood, and blood shall pursue thee: sith thou hast not hated blood, even blood shall pursue thee. Thus will I make mount Seir most desolate, and cut off from it him that passeth out and him that returneth. And I will fill his mountains with his slain men: in thy hills, and in thy valleys, and in all thy rivers, shall they fall that are slain with the sword.” Verses 5-8, “one reaps what one sows!”

Two … because Mount Seir wanted to conquer and possess and rule over Judah, a sovereign nation in God’s Eyes! Edom wanted “to own” Israel. (Jew haters today, beware!) “BECAUSE thou hast said, These two nations (Israel and Judah) and these two countries (Israel and Judah) shall be MINE, and we will POSSESS it; whereas the LORD was there. Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will even do according to thine anger, and according to thine envy which thou hast used out of thy hatred against them.” Verses 10-11, Whose land is it? Sounds like it’s God’s! And He has given it to Israel!

Three … because Mount Seir blasphemed (spoke against, verbally abusive, cursed) the Jewish people! Sins of the tongue, here! “And thou shalt know that I am the LORD, and that I have heard ALL THY BLASPHEMIES which thou hast spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, They are laid desolate, they are given us to consume. Thus with your mouth ye have boasted against me, and have multiplied your words against me: I have heard them.” Verses 12-13, clearly what Edom spoke against Israel … she also spoke against God!

Four, and last of all … because Mount Seir “rejoiced” when Judah fell to the Babylonians! “Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will make thee desolate, as THOU DIDST REJOICE at the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, so will I do unto thee: thou shalt be desolate, O mount Seir, and all Idumea, even all of it.” Verses 14-15, reminds me of Proverbs 24:17, about not rejoicing over the tragedies of another! (According to Nahum’s 12th verse Edom wrongly “rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction.” Wow!)

I’ve called this chapter an “encouragement,” but only from the perspective of the Jewish people. One less enemy to attempt her destruction.

By the way, all God’s “threats” against Mount Seir have been fulfilled. In fact, there is no Country called Edom today. Only ruins remain!

Wow!

Looks like other nations and factions would “wise up!”

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Surely it is the “key” word in today’s chapter, Ezekiel 34. Either in the singular or the plural “shepherd” occurs 15 times, according to my count. Used metaphorically, it is a term for Israel’s “leaders,” either political, governmental or spiritual. Yes, Kings and Princes and Judges and Elders and Statesmen and Priests and Prophets, examples.

This likens (compares) the people of Israel to a “flock” then.

And again I remind you to note the new “tone” in the Book of Ezekiel, “hope” and “an expected end,” all kinds of “future blessings!”

First though, God addresses the “careless” shepherds. “And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, prophesy against the SHEPHERDS of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the SHEPHERDS; Woe be to the SHEPHERDS of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the SHEPHERDS feed the flocks?” Verses 1-2, in it for “themselves,” only themselves!

Here’s more of God’s “indictment” to these selfish men: “Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool (of the little sheep), ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. And they were scattered.” Verses 3-5

Of course, God here longs for “better treatment” for His people, “My sheep” he actually says of them in verse 12. See if this sounds like an adaptation of the beautiful 23rd Psalm to you. “So will I (the Lord) seek out my sheep, and will deliver (rescue) them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I (the Lord) will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick.” Verses 12-16, wherein I counted the pronoun “I” six times! God’s Determination!

Now there’s even more! Looking yet into a future day I believe: “And I (still, the Lord) will set up one shepherd (has to be Jesus) over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David (Jesus) a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it. And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land (wolf lie down with lamb): and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods. And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be SHOWERS OF BLESSING.” Verses 22-26, what a wonder!

But there’s more of what (must be) the Millennium: “And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land (Israel), and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them. And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.” Literally, verses 27-28, “Fear not!”

In verse 29 God promises often “cursed-by-the-world” Israel … “And I will raise up for them a plant of renown!” A plant (name) of honor, glory, good reputation!

Then best of all … “Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are MY PEOPLE, saith the Lord GOD. And ye MY FLOCK, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I AM YOUR GOD, saith the Lord GOD.” Chapter’s end, verses 30-31.

A “saved” Israel, sounds like to me!

Yes, Ezekiel’s message to Israel just got “brighter!”

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Ezekiel chapter 33 is sort of a “turning point” in the Book. Chapters 1-32 mostly deal with “judgment,” with only sight intervals of “grace.” But chapters 33 through 48 (generally) seem to concentrate more on “hope,” a much brighter future for Israel and her people.

Verses 1-9 return to the theme of Ezekiel being a “watchman” to the Jews. The word means a “look-out,” sort of a “guard” even, and once a “spy!” Warning against sin! Appealing to their collective conscience! Foretelling the coming (sure) judgment!

Then verse 11 is precious as well, “classic” in fact. “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have NO PLEASURE in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.” Thrilling! (This line contradicts some who believe “God has as much pleasure in sending a man to hell as He does in saving a soul from sin.” Or at least derives as much Glory from the one as the other! I disagree!)

Then I love verse 22 personally. “Now the HAND OF THE LORD was upon me in the evening,” that particular clause. Oh, to have God’s Hand upon us, in power and grace and utility! Remember the prayer of Jabez? “And he called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, AND THAT THINE HAND MIGHT BE WITH ME, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil.” Wow! And Nehemiah? “Then I told them of THE HAND OF MY GOD which was good UPON ME.” (Quoting parts of both 1st Chronicles 4:10 and Nehemiah 2:18.)

But the chapter’s last 4 verses today impress me the most. God seems to be encouraging his man, Ezekiel. But in a unique way!

“Also, thou SON OF MAN (God’s favorite name for Ezekiel), the children of thy people (the Jews) still are talking against (beside, about) thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear (but not obey) what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD. And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear (listen) thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew (just a ‘show’) much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness (unjust gain, love of money). And, lo, thou (Ezekiel) art unto them as a very lovely song (!!!) of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument (mere entertainment): for they hear thy words, but they do them not. And when this (predicted heavy judgment) cometh to pass, LO, IT WILL COME, then shall they KNOW that a PROPHET hath been among them.” Verses 30-33

The last clause: “Then shall they know that a PROPHET hath been among them.” A genuine preacher, a sincere servant, a pure man of God! Very encouraging to Ezekiel, I’m sure.

Going to Church, as “entertainment!” Looking for “lovely songs” and “pleasant voices” and “accomplished musicians,” and even more so … compromising clergymen!

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

The word “pit” is used six times in Ezekiel chapter 32. A thirty-two verse “funeral dirge” pronounced by God on the wicked nation of Egypt.

But first, verses 1-6 are astounding on their own. God compares Egypt to a “young lion” (fierce and dangerous, frightening the whole countryside) and to a giant “whale” (sea monster, dragon) in the seas! Yes, Egypt had been THAT powerful! But then God says He is going to kill both the lion and the whale! Listen: “Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will therefore spread out my net over thee with a company of many people; and they shall bring thee up in my net. Then will I leave thee (the whale) upon the land, I will cast thee forth upon the open field, and will cause all the fowls of the heaven to remain upon thee, and I will fill the beasts of the whole earth with thee. And I will lay thy flesh upon the mountains, and fill the valleys with thy height. I will also water with thy blood the land wherein thou swimmest, even to the mountains; and the rivers shall be full of thee.” Verses 3 through 6, graphically written!

But it is the second half of the chapter that most garnered my attention. I think it could be entitled “Egypt in Hell” for short! Verse 18 is typical, with God still talking to Ezekiel: “Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, even her, and the daughters of the famous nations, unto the nether (lowest) parts of the earth, with them that go down into the pit (a euphemism for hell).”

Now then, a big question. Is there “consciousness” in Hell? (There certainly was for the “rich man” who died and went there in Luke chapter 16, “in Hell he lifted up his eyes and said ….”)

Read verse 21 of Ezekiel 32: “The strong among the mighty (already in the pit)  SHALL SPEAK to him (Egypt) out of the midst of hell (Hebrew, sheol) with them that help him: they are gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.” More “talking” in the pit, in Hell! Yes, there is consciousness!

(I read last night that the “elite” of the Egyptians, their leaders and intelligentsia and academics, were all circumcised! And felt themselves “better” than the uncircumcised! Now … they will spend eternity in “hell,” surrounded by that “trash!” How very humiliating to their mindset!)

Now, look at verse 22 … the “Assyrians” are there!

Verse 24 … so are the “Elamites,” forerunners of the Persians, “Iran” today! Note this clause from verse 25: “They have borne their shame with them that go down to the pit: he is put in the midst of them that be slain.” The utter SHAME of being in hell, perpetually! Contrast that with the supreme Glory to be enjoyed by those who possess eternal life, a gift from God via the blood of Jesus Christ!

Verse 26 … “Meshech” and “Tubal,” to be studied further in chapters 38 and 39. Thought to be in Asia Minor, perhaps around present day Turkey. Jew haters, for sure, these people.

Verse 29 … the “Edomites,” descendants of Esau. “There is Edom, her kings, and all her princes, which with their might are laid by them that were slain by the sword: they shall lie with the uncircumcised, and with them that go down to the pit.” Their bodies in a  grave somewhere, or having rotted on the ground! Their souls, their spirits in hell itself!

Verse 30 … the “princes of the north,” Russia? Also the “Zidonians,” ancient Phoenicians.

A welcoming committee, receiving more and more of the “wicked” into hell! Now, including Egypt and her people. Verse 31: “Pharaoh (a title, not a proper name) shall see them (in the pit, in hell), and shall be comforted over all his multitude, even Pharaoh and all his army slain by the sword, saith the Lord GOD.” The verb “comforted” puzzled me. But 41 times in the King James Version it is translated “repented!” (Just too late!)  It also carries the idea of “sorrow.”

Wow!

What a Text!

Folks, all nations simply consist of their citizens, “people.”

People headed for Hell, to live in shame (and pain) forever. Isaiah 66:24 teaches us that hell’s occupants will be considered an “abhorrence” to the peoples of God’s Eternal City! “Shamed” indeed! “And they (the true worshippers of God) shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched (Jesus’ very words describing Hell); and they shall be an abhorring (contemptible, repulsive) unto all flesh.”

Wow again!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

This ends Ezekiel’s denunciation of Egypt, occupying 4 whole chapters (7 sermons) long! It also ends his voluminous section of “Sermons against the Nations of the World.” Mostly ungodly Gentiles, chapters 25-32 inclusively. (The Edomites were “related” to Jacob, thus had Semitic blood.)

One more point: today’s chapter actually consists of two different sermons, easily demarcated. Verses 1-16 followed by verses 17-32, clearly 2 messages given at 2 different times.

Ezekiel, truthfully … what a Book, what a Prophet!

 

Ezekiel chapter 31 is both a History Lesson and a superb Metaphor, both created then interpreted by our Almighty God.

Egypt (the chapter’s focus) is again being warned about coming judgment.

Here’s the reasoning of the chapter in a few words: “If God destroyed the mighty Assyrian Empire … can He not do the same to the less powerful Egyptian Empire?” (This is the history lesson I mentioned.)

Babylon destroyed Assyria around 612 BC, most historians agree.

Ezekiel is writing in 587 BC, my “Chronological Bible” says.

In our chapter today God draws from several allusions to Assyria’s Fall, trying to caution Egypt concerning her soon-to-come demise. (The disintegration of these gentile nations, all of them, is based on the prevailing sin of HATING the people of God, harming Israel! Laying hands on God’s Anointed, the “Apple of His Eye!”)

And the metaphor I suggested in the first line of today’s article?

That of a great “tree,” a CEDAR from Lebanon (here a picture of Assyria) that was chopped down by the advancing Babylonian army.

Now to the chapter itself …

Here’s Assyria in all her glory: “Behold, the Assyrian was a CEDAR in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs. The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers running round about his plants, and sent out her little rivers unto all the trees of the field. Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth. All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations. Thus was he fair in his greatness, in the length of his branches: for his root was by great waters.” What picturesque writing, verses 3-7.

But God “cut down” mighty Assyria: “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou (Assyria) hast lifted up thyself in height, and he hath shot up his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height; I HAVE THEREFORE DELIVERED HIM into the hand of the mighty one of the heathen (Nebuchadnezzar); he shall surely deal with him: I HAVE DRIVEN HIM OUT for his wickedness. And strangers, the terrible of the nations (the Babylonian army), have cut him off, and have left him: upon the mountains and in all the valleys his branches are fallen, and his boughs are broken by all the rivers of the land; and all the people of the earth are gone down from his shadow, and have left him.” Verses 10-12, pure history! Deserted, betrayed, judged of God!

Then God applies this (history) lesson to Egypt: “To whom art thou (Pharaoh) thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees of Eden? yet SHALT THOU BE BROUGHT DOWN with the trees of Eden (the very best, most excellent) unto the nether (lower) parts of the earth: thou shalt lie (on the ground, unburied) in the midst of the uncircumcised with them that be slain by the sword. This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD.” Verse 18, chapter’s end.

Who are you, Egypt, compared to such greater (now fallen) powers?

Assyria … compared to (associated with) “Eden?” Likely because it is thought that the literal Garden of Eden existed somewhere in the land of Mesopotamia, in the territory which once belonged to Assyria.

And Egypt’s dead, laying among the uncircumcised, “unburied, rotting!” What a shock that would be to the Egyptian mindset, to her pompous leaders … who constructed such massive “pyramids” as burying places! No interment whatsoever!

Wow, these Old Testament Prophets preached judgment against sin!

Maybe we had best heed their message.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell