Ezekiel 25:12-14--Prophecy Against Edom

Ezekiel 25:12-14
English Standard Version

Prophecy Against Edom
12 “Thus says the Lord GOD: Because Edom acted revengefully against the house of Judah and has grievously offended in taking vengeance on them, 13 therefore thus says the Lord GOD, I will stretch out my hand against Edom and cut off from it man and beast. And I will make it desolate; from Teman even to Dedan they shall fall by the sword. 14 And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel, and they shall do in Edom according to my anger and according to my wrath, and they shall know my vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.

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We talked a little bit about the reasons for the judgment of Edom last time, but there's some more prophecy dedicated specifically to Edom in this text.  They specifically acted with revenge against Judah and provoked the LORD to make their land into a desolate wasteland.  It would be devoid of all life--no man or beast would be found there.  The LORD would even use Israel to accomplish this judgment against Edom.  Israel would do to Edom what Edom intended for Israel.  The LORD desires for those that would make themselves enemies of His people to know that they have made themselves enemies of Him.  It matters not that His people didn't deserve the respect of the other nations at this moment in time--that is between them and the LORD.  The LORD demanded that His people be respected whether the other nations felt they deserved that respect or not.  Many would make poor choices and try to take land and blessings that didn't belong to them or, worse, would try to join in the extermination of the Jewish people--some even doing so because they were trying to keep the LORD's plan from moving forward.  There would be a high price to pay for all those who stood opposed to the LORD and His covenant plan.