Keith Hamilton

"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; and I will make myself known among them, when I have judged thee." (Ezekiel 35:11)

We are currently studying the book of Ezekiel in our Bible classes. In the later part of the book, the Lord issues a series of oracles or prophecies against the Gentile nations that surrounded Israel. In chapter 35, Jehovah instructs Ezekiel to deliver a prophecy against the nation of Edom.

"Moreover, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against mount Seir, and prophesy against it," (vv. 1-2)

At the root of their sinful actions were an attitude of hatred and envy against the people of Israel. Their spirit of hate and envy against the people of Israel had been passed on from generation to generation going back to their forefathers Esau and Jacob. At any point in their history, the endless cycle of hatred and envy could have been broken. The people of Edom and Israel could have had a good relationship. Yet, they did not. One would ask why people would carry on an endless feud the way the people of Edom did? Well, they wanted it that way. Sounds crazy, doesn't it? Their hatred led the people of Edom to commit crimes involving bloodshed, man stealing (selling Jews into slavery), and blasphemy against the Lord.

"… 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." (vv. 12-13)

The people of Edom relished in their hatred of the Jews and took great delight when bad things happened to the people of Israel.

"As thou didst rejoice at the inheritance of the house of Israel, because it was desolate, … (v. 15)

Such was the level of depravity that hatred and envy led them to. For all of this, God was going to bring the fire of judgement down upon Edom.

"And say unto it, Thus, saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O mount Seir, I am against thee, and I will stretch out mine hand against thee, and I will make thee most desolate. I will lay thy cities waste, and thou shalt be desolate, and thou shalt know that I am the LORD." (vv. 3-4)

Lesson for us: do not be consumed with hatred and envy. Those two attitudes are destructive to anyone spiritually. Regardless of the history of one's relationship with others, even if one has been wrongfully offended, let it go. Harboring ill-will towards others, having a spirit of hatred, being envious, and being delighted when the bad things happen to others is corrosive to the soul. Better are we to put it behind us, make amends, and move on.

"But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing." (Matthew 5:22-26)