Ezekiel 36:1-7 | The Way of Scripture

Ezekiel 36:1-7

What does the Lord say to the land others have claimed as their own?

Berean Standard Bible

1 “And you, son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel and say: O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD. 2 This is what the Lord GOD says: Because the enemy has said of you, ‘Aha! The ancient heights have become our possession,’ 3 therefore prophesy and declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: Because they have made you desolate and have trampled you on every side, so that you became a possession of the rest of the nations and were taken up in slander by the lips of their talkers, 4 therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD. This is what the Lord GOD says to the mountains and hills, to the ravines and valleys, to the desolate ruins and abandoned cities, which have become a spoil and a mockery to the rest of the nations around you.
5 Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Surely in My burning zeal I have spoken against the rest of the nations, and against all Edom, who took My land as their own possession with wholehearted joy and utter contempt, so that its pastureland became plunder. 6 Therefore, prophesy concerning the land of Israel and tell the mountains and hills, the ravines and valleys, that this is what the Lord GOD says: Behold, I have spoken in My burning zeal because you have endured the reproach of the nations. 7 Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I have sworn with an uplifted hand that surely the nations around you will endure reproach of their own.

What is the context?

Ezekiel is now told to speak to the mountains of Israel. The enemy has celebrated the ancient heights as a new possession, while the land’s ruins have become spoil and a subject of mockery.

The Lord calls it His land and confronts Edom and the other nations for taking it with joy and contempt. He has heard the reproach directed at the mountains, hills, valleys and abandoned cities.

He swears that the surrounding nations will endure reproach of their own. The desolation does not mean that the Lord has surrendered His claim or forgotten the people for whom the land will bear fruit.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Henry reads the promise as the turning back of contempt upon those who inflicted it. Wesley understands the address to the mountains as an address to the land while its inhabitants are in captivity.

The Lord’s response joins His concern for the land with His concern for the people. The following promise will answer the assumption that their ruin is final.

Where does this fit in God's plan?

Romans 11:17–32 gives Gentile believers a searching warning about their attitude toward Israel. They must not boast over the branches, because they stand by faith and depend on the root that supports them.

Paul develops the larger place of both Israel and the nations within God’s mercy. This is a fitting response beside Ezekiel’s exposure of contempt: another people’s disobedience gives no ground for arrogance. Those who have received mercy are called to humility before the God whose gifts and calling are irrevocable.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

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