Ezekiel
35 reminds me of a childhood friend that never quite fit in. He was
not athletic, he was not academic, he was nobody’s definition of
cool, but he was my friend. I remember through high school that he
wanted a reputation for something other than being a nice kid. It
turns out that he had an older brother that had gotten involved with
drugs. I believe that my friend decided that he could use that to
finally make a name for himself, to get a seat at the cool table. I
heard recently that he had passed away far too young. It seems that
the reputation he wanted not only followed him, but it pursued him
until his death. He never found peace. In today’s chapter we see
another brother that took a path influenced by his sibling. Jacob
became the father of the twelve tribes of Israel, while his twin
brother Esau became father of the nation of Edom. Edom pursued
violence and hatred against the nation of Israel. The chapter
begins, “The word of the Lord
came to me… set your face against Mount Seir“.
This region is a specific part of Edom where Esau himself settled.
God said, “I will stretch out
My hand against you… Because you harbored an ancient hostility“.
Edom joined any enemy of Israel to stand against them “at
the time of their calamity“.
God said, “I will give you over
to bloodshed and it will pursue you“.
Friend, what is it that pursues you?
Next
God repeats the phrase, “Since
you did not hate bloodshed, bloodshed will pursue you“.
God takes it very personally when any nation takes a stand against
Israel, “I will make Mount Seir
a desolate waste“. Violence
and hatred became the reputation of the nation that did not find
peace, “those killed by the
sword will fall on your hills and in your valleys and in all your
ravines“. Some family secrets
are more visible than others, but many patterns from the past can
leave us “desolate”
today. Is there a way to escape our
past?
The
chapter closes with God issuing judgment. When Israel was at their
weakest, defeated and in captivity, Edom said, “we
will take possession of them“,
but God said, “I the Lord was
there“. God declares to Edom,
“I will treat you in accordance
with the anger and jealousy you showed in your hatred of them“.
Maybe you have given into the deception of the past and maybe you
have even blamed God? God said to Edom, “I
the Lord have heard all the contemptible things you have said… You
boasted against Me and spoke against Me without restraint, and I
heard it“. I weep and mourn
for those that embrace their pursuer rather than seeking peace with
God. Edom heard the words no one needs to hear today, “While
the whole earth rejoices, I will make you desolate… Then they will
know that I am the Lord“. Do
you need hope? Do you need perfect peace? Jesus made a promise to
you, “take heart! I have
overcome the world” (John
16:33). Jesus did not die for the masses; He died for me and you.
He paid the price for your past to remove what separates you from
God. Do you have enough faith to believe that God is greater than
your past? Do
you have enough faith to ask for His forgiveness? “With
thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And
the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”
(Philippians 6:7). Maybe it is time
for a new reputation?