What lessons can we learn about God's justice from Ezekiel 35:6? Setting the Scene Ezekiel 35 records God’s message to Mount Seir (Edom) for its longstanding hostility toward Israel. Verse 6 crystallizes the Lord’s verdict. Ezekiel 35:6 — The Verse “Therefore as surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will give you over to bloodshed, and bloodshed will pursue you. Since you did not hate bloodshed, bloodshed will pursue you.” Key Observations About God’s Justice • Certainty: “As surely as I live” anchors judgment in God’s own unchanging life—His justice is inevitable. • Proportionality: Edom loved violence; the same violence returns upon them. Justice matches the offense. • Agency: God Himself “will give you over to bloodshed,” showing He personally oversees judgment, not leaving it to blind fate. • Persistence: “Bloodshed will pursue you” teaches that divine justice is relentless; it cannot be outrun. • Moral Clarity: The charge—“you did not hate bloodshed”—reveals that indifference to evil is itself evil. God expects active hatred of wrongdoing (cf. Psalm 97:10). Justice Rooted in God’s Character • “All His ways are justice.” (Deuteronomy 32:4) • “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne.” (Psalm 89:14) Because justice flows from who God is, it is never arbitrary or capricious. Retributive and Righteous • Romans 12:19—“Vengeance is Mine; I will repay.” God alone wields perfect retribution. • Obadiah 15 echoes Ezekiel 35: “As you have done, it will be done to you.” The principle of measured repayment underscores fairness. Judgment Against Perpetual Hatred Edom’s “ancient hostility” (Ezekiel 35:5) reveals a heart posture fixed against God’s covenant people. God’s justice confronts entrenched malice, reminding us He takes relational sins seriously (1 John 3:15). Unbiased and Thorough • Galatians 6:7—“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap.” • Hebrews 4:13—Nothing is hidden; all is exposed to Him. No nation or person enjoys immunity; God’s justice reaches every corner. Implications for Believers Today • Cultivate a holy hatred of violence and injustice; neutrality isn’t an option (Amos 5:15). • Trust God with vengeance; resist taking matters into your own hands (Proverbs 20:22). • Remember that persistent sin invites relentless consequences; repentance is urgent (Isaiah 55:7). • Draw comfort: the same God who judges evil also defends His people and keeps His promises (Psalm 9:9-10). |
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