Ezekiel 31 to 35
Assyria and Egypt and their present-day equivalents will be punished.
The Destruction and Residence in Hell of wicked nations such as Assyria, Elam, Edom, Tyre, Meshech, Tubal, and Egypt is described.
The Wicked are called upon to repent. They who are righteous are warned not to count on their own merit and not to give in to temptation. They who can do something to rectify evil are bound to do so and to warn others.
The Leaders of Israel will be judged for bad leadership; The Exiles of Israel will return. David will rule over them. The Land of Greater Israel will be healed and restored. A change of climate will take place and there will be rains in their season. The Shame of Judah in the eyes of the heathen will be removed. The Lost Ten Tribes will be Restored.
The Land of Edom and Seir will be desolated because of the wickedness in their treatment of Judah.
The Book of Ezekiel
Chapters 31 to 35
A Brit-Am
Biblical Commentary
Contents:
Summary
Chapters with Brit-Am Commentary
Summary:
Chapter 31: Assyria and Egypt and their present-day equivalents will be punished.
Chapter 32: The Destruction and Residence in Hell of wicked nations such as Assyria, Elam, Edom, Tyre, Meshech, Tubal, and Egypt is described.
Chapter 33: The Wicked are called upon to repent. They who are righteous are warned not to count on their own merit and not to give in to temptation. They who can do something to rectify evil are bound to do so and to warn others.
Chapter 34: The Leaders of Israel will be judged for bad leadership; The Exiles of Israel will return. David will rule over them. The Land of Greater Israel will be healed and restored. A change of climate will take place and there will be rains in their season. The Shame of Judah in the eyes of the heathen will be removed. The Lost Ten Tribes will be Restored.
Chapter 35: The Land of Edom and Seir will be desolated because of the wickedness in their treatment of Judah.
Contents:
Chapters with Brit-Am Commentary:
Ezekiel 31 to 35
Ezekiel 31
[Ezekiel 31:1] AND IT CAME TO PASS IN THE ELEVENTH YEAR, IN THE THIRD MONTH, IN
THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH, THAT THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME UNTO ME,
SAYING,
[Ezekiel 31:2] SON OF MAN, SPEAK UNTO PHARAOH KING OF EGYPT, AND TO HIS
MULTITUDE; WHOM ART THOU LIKE IN THY GREATNESS?
Ezekiel continues to prophesy against
Egypt but the gist of this present chapter is actually more concerned with the
fall of Assyria.
[Ezekiel 31:3] BEHOLD, THE ASSYRIAN WAS A CEDAR IN LEBANON WITH FAIR BRANCHES,
AND WITH A SHADOWING SHROUD, AND OF AN HIGH STATURE; AND HIS TOP WAS AMONG THE
THICK BOUGHS.
Pharaoh is urged to learn from history,
to see what happened to mighty Assyria.
[Ezekiel 31:4] THE WATERS MADE HIM GREAT, THE DEEP SET HIM UP ON HIGH WITH HER
RIVERS RUNNING ROUND ABOUT HIS PLANTS, AND SENT HER LITTLE RIVERS UNTO ALL THE
TREES OF THE FIELD.
[Ezekiel 31:5] THEREFORE HIS HEIGHT WAS EXALTED ABOVE ALL THE TREES OF THE
FIELD, AND HIS BOUGHS WERE MULTIPLIED, AND HIS BRANCHES BECAME LONG BECAUSE OF
THE MULTITUDE OF WATERS, WHEN HE SHOT FORTH.
[Ezekiel 31:6] ALL THE FOWLS OF HEAVEN MADE THEIR NESTS IN HIS BOUGHS, AND UNDER
HIS BRANCHES DID ALL THE BEASTS OF THE FIELD BRING FORTH THEIR YOUNG, AND UNDER
HIS SHADOW DWELT ALL GREAT NATIONS.
Assyria had become the most powerful
nation in the world and its influence felt everywhere. Assyrian artifacts have
been found in Spain, Sweden, and Russia. Artifacts that are either Assyrian or
copies of Assyrian originals or at least indicating strong Assyrian influence
have been found in Britain, Austria, and China. Indian records speak of the "Assura"
(Assyrians) who were active in the west of India. In Switzerland the
Romansch
dialect is still spoken by about 1% and this tongue may be derived from
Akkadian
the language of Assyria.
[Ezekiel 31:7] THUS WAS HE FAIR IN HIS GREATNESS, IN THE LENGTH OF HIS BRANCHES:
FOR HIS ROOT WAS BY GREAT WATERS.
[Ezekiel 31:8] THE CEDARS IN THE GARDEN OF GOD COULD NOT HIDE HIM: THE FIR TREES
WERE NOT LIKE HIS BOUGHS, AND THE CHESTNUT TREES WERE NOT LIKE HIS BRANCHES; NOR
ANY TREE IN THE GARDEN OF GOD WAS LIKE UNTO HIM IN HIS
BEAUTY.
[Ezekiel 31:9] I HAVE MADE HIM FAIR BY THE MULTITUDE OF HIS BRANCHES: SO THAT
ALL THE TREES OF EDEN, THAT WERE IN THE GARDEN OF GOD, ENVIED
HIM.
[Ezekiel 31:10] THEREFORE THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD; BECAUSE THOU HAST LIFTED UP
THYSELF IN HEIGHT, AND HE HATH SHOT UP HIS TOP AMONG THE THICK BOUGHS, AND HIS
HEART IS LIFTED UP IN HIS HEIGHT;
[Ezekiel 31:11] I HAVE THEREFORE DELIVERED HIM INTO THE HAND OF THE MIGHTY ONE
OF THE HEATHEN; HE SHALL SURELY DEAL WITH HIM: I HAVE DRIVEN HIM OUT FOR HIS
WICKEDNESS.
<<MIGHTY ONE OF THE HEATHEN: Hebrew "ayel
goim",
i.e. the strongest of the nations.
[Ezekiel 31:12] AND STRANGERS, THE TERRIBLE OF THE NATIONS, HAVE CUT HIM OFF,
AND HAVE LEFT HIM: UPON THE MOUNTAINS AND IN ALL THE VALLEYS HIS BRANCHES ARE
FALLEN, AND HIS BOUGHS ARE BROKEN BY ALL THE RIVERS OF THE LAND; AND ALL THE
PEOPLE OF THE EARTH ARE GONE DOWN FROM HIS SHADOW, AND HAVE LEFT
HIM.
[Ezekiel 31:13] UPON HIS RUIN SHALL ALL THE FOWLS OF THE HEAVEN REMAIN, AND ALL
THE BEASTS OF THE FIELD SHALL BE UPON HIS BRANCHES:
[Ezekiel 31:14] TO THE END THAT NONE OF ALL THE TREES BY THE WATERS EXALT
THEMSELVES FOR THEIR HEIGHT, NEITHER SHOOT UP THEIR TOP AMONG THE THICK BOUGHS,
NEITHER THEIR TREES STAND UP IN THEIR HEIGHT, ALL THAT DRINK WATER: FOR THEY ARE
ALL DELIVERED UNTO DEATH, TO THE NETHER PARTS OF THE EARTH, IN THE MIDST OF THE
CHILDREN OF MEN, WITH THEM THAT GO DOWN TO THE PIT.
[Ezekiel 31:15] THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD; IN THE DAY WHEN HE WENT DOWN TO THE
GRAVE I CAUSED A MOURNING: I COVERED THE DEEP FOR HIM, AND I RESTRAINED THE
FLOODS THEREOF, AND THE GREAT WATERS WERE STAYED: AND I CAUSED LEBANON TO MOURN
FOR HIM, AND ALL THE TREES OF THE FIELD FAINTED FOR HIM.
[Ezekiel 31:16] I MADE THE NATIONS TO SHAKE AT THE SOUND OF HIS FALL, WHEN I
CAST HIM DOWN TO HELL WITH THEM THAT DESCEND INTO THE PIT: AND ALL THE TREES OF
EDEN, THE CHOICE AND BEST OF LEBANON, ALL THAT DRINK WATER, SHALL BE COMFORTED
IN THE NETHER PARTS OF THE EARTH.
[Ezekiel 31:17] THEY ALSO WENT DOWN INTO HELL WITH HIM UNTO THEM THAT BE SLAIN
WITH THE SWORD; AND THEY THAT WERE HIS ARM, THAT DWELT UNDER HIS SHADOW IN THE
MIDST OF THE HEATHEN.
[Ezekiel 31:18] TO WHOM ART THOU THUS LIKE IN GLORY AND IN GREATNESS AMONG THE
TREES OF EDEN? YET SHALT THOU BE BROUGHT DOWN WITH THE TREES OF EDEN UNTO THE
NETHER PARTS OF THE EARTH: THOU SHALT LIE IN THE MIDST OF THE UNCIRCUMCISED WITH
THEM THAT BE SLAIN BY THE SWORD. THIS IS PHARAOH AND ALL HIS MULTITUDE, SAITH
THE LORD GOD.
Just as Assyria fell and was destroyed
so will it happen to Egypt.
Ezekiel 32
[Ezekiel 32:1] AND IT CAME TO PASS IN THE TWELFTH YEAR, IN THE TWELFTH MONTH, IN
THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH, THAT THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME UNTO ME,
SAYING,
[Ezekiel 32:2] SON OF MAN, TAKE UP A LAMENTATION FOR PHARAOH KING OF EGYPT, AND
SAY UNTO HIM, THOU ART LIKE A YOUNG LION OF THE NATIONS, AND THOU ART AS A WHALE
IN THE SEAS: AND THOU CAMEST FORTH WITH THY RIVERS, AND TROUBLEDST THE WATERS
WITH THY FEET, AND FOULEDST THEIR RIVERS.
<<A WHALE IN THE SEAS: The word
translated here as "whale" in Hebrew is "tanim"
which usually means "crocodile", but in this case refers to some kind of sea
monster.
[Ezekiel 32:3] THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD; I WILL THEREFORE SPREAD OUT MY NET OVER
THEE WITH A COMPANY OF MANY PEOPLE; AND THEY SHALL BRING THEE UP IN MY
NET.
[Ezekiel 32:4] THEN WILL I LEAVE THEE UPON THE LAND, I WILL CAST THEE FORTH UPON
THE OPEN FIELD, AND WILL CAUSE ALL THE FOWLS OF THE HEAVEN TO REMAIN UPON THEE,
AND I WILL FILL THE BEASTS OF THE WHOLE EARTH WITH THEE.
[Ezekiel 32:5] AND I WILL LAY THY FLESH UPON THE MOUNTAINS, AND FILL THE VALLEYS
WITH THY HEIGHT.
<< FILL THE VALLEYS WITH THY HEIGHT: Preferably "fill the valleys with the rot
[of your carcass]".
[Ezekiel 32:6] I WILL ALSO WATER WITH THY BLOOD THE LAND WHEREIN THOU SWIMMEST,
EVEN TO THE MOUNTAINS; AND THE RIVERS SHALL BE FULL OF
THEE.
[Ezekiel 32:7] AND WHEN I SHALL PUT THEE OUT, I WILL COVER THE HEAVEN, AND MAKE
THE STARS THEREOF DARK; I WILL COVER THE SUN WITH A CLOUD, AND THE MOON SHALL
NOT GIVE HER LIGHT.
[Ezekiel 32:8] ALL THE BRIGHT LIGHTS OF HEAVEN WILL I MAKE DARK OVER THEE, AND
SET DARKNESS UPON THY LAND, SAITH THE LORD GOD.
[Ezekiel 32:9] I WILL ALSO VEX THE HEARTS OF MANY PEOPLE, WHEN I SHALL BRING THY
DESTRUCTION AMONG THE NATIONS, INTO THE COUNTRIES WHICH THOU HAST NOT
KNOWN.
[Ezekiel 32:10] YEA, I WILL MAKE MANY PEOPLE AMAZED AT THEE, AND THEIR KINGS
SHALL BE HORRIBLY AFRAID FOR THEE, WHEN I SHALL BRANDISH MY SWORD BEFORE THEM;
AND THEY SHALL TREMBLE AT EVERY MOMENT, EVERY MAN FOR HIS OWN LIFE, IN THE DAY
OF THY FALL.
[Ezekiel 32:11] FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD; THE SWORD OF THE KING OF BABYLON
SHALL COME UPON THEE.
[Ezekiel 32:12] BY THE SWORDS OF THE MIGHTY WILL I CAUSE THY MULTITUDE TO FALL,
THE TERRIBLE OF THE NATIONS, ALL OF THEM: AND THEY SHALL SPOIL THE POMP OF
EGYPT, AND ALL THE MULTITUDE THEREOF SHALL BE DESTROYED.
[Ezekiel 32:13] I WILL DESTROY ALSO ALL THE BEASTS THEREOF FROM BESIDE THE GREAT
WATERS; NEITHER SHALL THE FOOT OF MAN TROUBLE THEM ANY MORE, NOR THE HOOFS OF
BEASTS TROUBLE THEM.
[Ezekiel 32:14] THEN WILL I MAKE THEIR WATERS DEEP, AND CAUSE THEIR RIVERS TO
RUN LIKE OIL, SAITH THE LORD GOD.
[Ezekiel 32:15] WHEN I SHALL MAKE THE LAND OF EGYPT DESOLATE, AND THE COUNTRY
SHALL BE DESTITUTE OF THAT WHEREOF IT WAS FULL, WHEN I SHALL SMITE ALL THEM THAT
DWELL THEREIN, THEN SHALL THEY KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD.
[Ezekiel 32:16] THIS IS THE LAMENTATION WHEREWITH THEY SHALL LAMENT HER: THE
DAUGHTERS OF THE NATIONS SHALL LAMENT HER: THEY SHALL LAMENT FOR HER, EVEN FOR
EGYPT, AND FOR ALL HER MULTITUDE, SAITH THE LORD GOD.
[Ezekiel 32:17] IT CAME TO PASS ALSO IN THE TWELFTH YEAR, IN THE FIFTEENTH DAY
OF THE MONTH, THAT THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME UNTO ME,
SAYING,
[Ezekiel 32:18] SON OF MAN, WAIL FOR THE MULTITUDE OF EGYPT, AND CAST THEM DOWN,
EVEN HER, AND THE DAUGHTERS OF THE FAMOUS NATIONS, UNTO THE NETHER PARTS OF THE
EARTH, WITH THEM THAT GO DOWN INTO THE PIT.
[Ezekiel 32:19] WHOM DOST THOU PASS IN BEAUTY? GO DOWN, AND BE THOU LAID WITH
THE UNCIRCUMCISED.
[Ezekiel 32:20] THEY SHALL FALL IN THE MIDST OF THEM THAT ARE SLAIN BY THE
SWORD: SHE IS DELIVERED TO THE SWORD: DRAW HER AND ALL HER
MULTITUDES.
[Ezekiel 32:21] THE STRONG AMONG THE MIGHTY SHALL SPEAK TO HIM OUT OF THE MIDST
OF HELL WITH THEM THAT HELP HIM: THEY ARE GONE DOWN, THEY LIE UNCIRCUMCISED,
SLAIN BY THE SWORD.
<<HELL: In Hebrew "Sheol"
meaning the place of the dead.
[Ezekiel 32:22] ASSHUR IS THERE AND ALL HER COMPANY: HIS GRAVES ARE ABOUT HIM:
ALL OF THEM SLAIN, FALLEN BY THE SWORD:
<<ASSHUR
IS THERE: "Ashur"
is Assyria. The Scythians, Babylonians, and Medes were destined to destroy
Assyria which disappeared. A small group of Nestorian Christians still exist in
Syria and Iraq and these claim Assyrian ancestry. A few cities in West Germany
had traditions that they were founded by Assyrians. There are archaeological
proofs of some Assyrian presence in the west. In some cases this evidence is due
to exiled Israelites and others who had served in Assyrian armies. Otherwise the
Assyrians themselves were also to some degree in the region. Bar
Hebraeus
(an early Christain
historian of Jewish origin who had access to ancient traditions) recorded the
Arab tradition that Nineveh (the former capital of Assyria) had been founded by
"Germanika",
i.e. that there was a link between Assyria and the Germans. Craig White
(surfer1@tpg.com.au)
wrote an interesting and informative book on this. British Israelites and
offshoots of the Armstrong movement and others made a big thing of the
possibility of identifying modern Germany with Assyria inn Biblical prophecy.
There may be something in this but we associate Germany more with descendants of
Edom. We do not say that all Germans are descended from Esau. We believe rather
that a not insignificant proportion of Germans are of
Edomite
descent and these, at critical moments, can determine national policies and
national sentiment in such a way that Biblically speaking the nation can be
associated with Edom as a whole.
[Ezekiel 32:23] WHOSE GRAVES ARE SET IN THE SIDES OF THE PIT, AND HER COMPANY IS
ROUND ABOUT HER GRAVE: ALL OF THEM SLAIN, FALLEN BY THE SWORD, WHICH CAUSED
TERROR IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING.
[Ezekiel 32:24] THERE IS ELAM AND ALL HER MULTITUDE ROUND ABOUT HER GRAVE, ALL
OF THEM SLAIN, FALLEN BY THE SWORD, WHICH ARE GONE DOWN UNCIRCUMCISED INTO THE
NETHER PARTS OF THE EARTH, WHICH CAUSED THEIR TERROR IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING;
YET HAVE THEY BORNE THEIR SHAME WITH THEM THAT GO DOWN TO THE PIT.
<<THERE IS ELAM: Elam was in the region
of east present-day Iran. The
Elamites were often at war with
Assyria. The ancient Persians were actually more
Elamites
than anything else. Elam was an area to which part of the Lost Ten Tribes were
taken and in which they sojourned for a while. The Scythian-Sakai Israelite
people east of the Caspian Sea had cultural connections with Elam.
[Ezekiel 32:25] THEY HAVE SET HER A BED IN THE MIDST OF THE SLAIN WITH ALL HER
MULTITUDE: HER GRAVES ARE ROUND ABOUT HIM: ALL OF THEM UNCIRCUMCISED, SLAIN BY
THE SWORD: THOUGH THEIR TERROR WAS CAUSED IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING, YET HAVE
THEY BORNE THEIR SHAME WITH THEM THAT GO DOWN TO THE PIT: HE IS PUT IN THE MIDST
OF THEM THAT BE SLAIN.
<<UNCIRCUMCISED: In Biblical
terminology "uncircumcised" is derogatory.
[Ezekiel 32:26] THERE IS MESHECH, TUBAL, AND ALL HER MULTITUDE: HER GRAVES ARE
ROUND ABOUT HIM: ALL OF THEM UNCIRCUMCISED, SLAIN BY THE SWORD, THOUGH THEY
CAUSED THEIR TERROR IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING.
<<MESHECH,
TUBAL:
These were nations in what is now eastern and central Turkey.
Tubal
in tradition is associated with Spain. Namesakes, however, indicate that both
Meshech
and Tubal
moved to what was formerly the USSR, especially to Russia. Moscow is named after
Meshech.
[Ezekiel 32:27] AND THEY SHALL NOT LIE WITH THE MIGHTY THAT ARE FALLEN OF THE
UNCIRCUMCISED, WHICH ARE GONE DOWN TO HELL WITH THEIR WEAPONS OF WAR: AND THEY
HAVE LAID THEIR SWORDS UNDER THEIR HEADS, BUT THEIR INIQUITIES SHALL BE UPON
THEIR BONES, THOUGH THEY WERE THE TERROR OF THE MIGHTY IN THE LAND OF THE
LIVING.
[Ezekiel 32:28] YEA, THOU SHALT BE BROKEN IN THE MIDST OF THE UNCIRCUMCISED, AND
SHALT LIE WITH THEM THAT ARE SLAIN WITH THE SWORD.
[Ezekiel 32:29] THERE IS EDOM, HER KINGS, AND ALL HER PRINCES, WHICH WITH THEIR
MIGHT ARE LAID BY THEM THAT WERE SLAIN BY THE SWORD: THEY SHALL LIE WITH THE
UNCIRCUMCISED, AND WITH THEM THAT GO DOWN TO THE PIT.
<<THERE IS EDOM: See what we wrote above
in connection with Assyria (Ezekiel 32:22). Settlements of
Edomites
had settled in the north in areas later dominated by Assyria and Babylon. Edom
(Esau) is recalled here and there in the Bible as associated with both Assyria
and Babylon.
[Ezekiel 32:30] THERE BE THE PRINCES OF THE NORTH, ALL OF THEM, AND ALL THE
ZIDONIANS, WHICH ARE GONE DOWN WITH THE SLAIN; WITH THEIR TERROR THEY ARE
ASHAMED OF THEIR MIGHT; AND THEY LIE UNCIRCUMCISED WITH THEM THAT BE SLAIN BY
THE SWORD, AND BEAR THEIR SHAME WITH THEM THAT GO DOWN TO THE PIT.
<<ZIDONIANS:
From the leading Phoenician city of
Sidon.
"Sidonian"
could also be a term for Phoenician in general.
[Ezekiel 32:31] PHARAOH SHALL SEE THEM, AND SHALL BE COMFORTED OVER ALL HIS
MULTITUDE, EVEN PHARAOH AND ALL HIS ARMY SLAIN BY THE SWORD, SAITH THE LORD
GOD.
[Ezekiel 32:32] FOR I HAVE CAUSED MY TERROR IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING: AND HE
SHALL BE LAID IN THE MIDST OF THE UNCIRCUMCISED WITH THEM THAT ARE SLAIN WITH
THE SWORD, EVEN PHARAOH AND ALL HIS MULTITUDE, SAITH THE LORD
GOD.
Ancient Egypt was once a great nation.
Architectural and engineering feats of the Ancient Egyptians could not be
emulated with modern technology. The Egyptians showed great mathematical and
astronomical achievements, a proficient use of chemical substances, and
philosophical wisdom. They were influenced by the Hebrews and the Hebrews
influenced them. Some say that the Hebrews sojourned in Egypt for 400 years in
order to absorb the "sparks" of holiness that existed there. In other words the
Israelites had something to learn form the Egyptians that God wanted them to
absorb before bringing them out and giving them the Torah. The Egyptians were
also responsible for the leading elements in much of pagan thought. The pagan
systems of Africa are said to be basically those of Egypt. Both Judah and Israel
were influenced by Egypt. Archaeological evidence shows that in the city of
Samaria Egyptian gods were revered and Egyptian decorative motifs were popular.
Joseph (the father of Ephraim and Manasseh) had married
Osenath
who was the daughter of an Egyptian priest. Most of the
Egytpians
were light brown in skin color and dark haired but they belonged basically to
the same stock as the other African peoples.
The Egyptian in their own way were quite advanced and had great achievements in
every field. Nowadays Egypt is a third-world country and will probably remain
that way. We should not judge the Ancient Egyptians by the modern ones even
though many of the people in present-day Egypt probably do descend from Ancient
Egyptians.
The following note may be of interest:
<<Karl W. Luckert,
a Professor of History of Religion at Southwest Missouri State University, has a
book out, "Egyptian Light and Hebrew Fire: Theological and Philosophical Roots
of Christendom in Evolutionary Perspective" (State University of New York Press,
Albany, 1991, 347pp) as part of the
SUNY
Series in Religious Studies. In four sections,
Luckert
traces religious and theological development from the Egyptian to the Hebrew,
Greek and finally Christian religion.
<<Here is a thumbnail review by Garth Alford of the University of Washington:
<<"Egyptian Light and Hebrew Fire" focuses on the cosmology of ancient Egypt and
on derived traditions. The book outlines how the ancient Egyptian world view
affected Hebrew religion, Greek philosophy,
Neoplatonism,
Gnosticism, and early Christianity. It traces ideological roots of Western
civilizations back to its earliest known prototypes in the Pyramid and Coffin
texts of ancient Egypt. It challenges us to refocus some of our history of
early Greek philosophy, and it positively identifies
Neoplatonism
as a philosophized and scarcely disguised neo-Egyptian theology."
Present-day Western Civilization (especially that of the "Anglo-Saxons") rests
on three roots:
1. Greek Philosophy and Classical tradition derived in large part from Ancient
Egypt and Babylon.
2. The Bible, i.e. Hebrew tradition.
3. Anglo-Saxon and Northern tradition and this too was in part Hebraic.
I would add to this the so-called Western "Celtic" heritage of Gilead in Israel.
Ezekiel 33
[Ezekiel 33:1] AGAIN THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME UNTO ME,
SAYING,
[Ezekiel 33:2] SON OF MAN, SPEAK TO THE CHILDREN OF THY PEOPLE, AND SAY UNTO
THEM, WHEN I BRING THE SWORD UPON A LAND, IF THE PEOPLE OF THE LAND TAKE A MAN
OF THEIR COASTS, AND SET HIM FOR THEIR WATCHMAN:
[Ezekiel 33:3] IF WHEN HE SEETH THE SWORD COME UPON THE LAND, HE BLOW THE
TRUMPET, AND WARN THE PEOPLE;
[Ezekiel 33:4] THEN WHOSOEVER HEARETH THE SOUND OF THE TRUMPET, AND TAKETH NOT
WARNING; IF THE SWORD COME, AND TAKE HIM AWAY, HIS BLOOD SHALL BE UPON HIS OWN
HEAD.
[Ezekiel 33:5] HE HEARD THE SOUND OF THE TRUMPET, AND TOOK NOT WARNING; HIS
BLOOD SHALL BE UPON HIM. BUT HE THAT TAKETH WARNING SHALL DELIVER HIS
SOUL.
[Ezekiel 33:6] BUT IF THE WATCHMAN SEE THE SWORD COME, AND BLOW NOT THE TRUMPET,
AND THE PEOPLE BE NOT WARNED; IF THE SWORD COME, AND TAKE ANY PERSON FROM AMONG
THEM, HE IS TAKEN AWAY IN HIS INIQUITY; BUT HIS BLOOD WILL I REQUIRE AT THE
WATCHMAN'S HAND.
People who know certain things
concerning impending danger are duty bound to warn others. The Bible says that
if we do not repent disaster will overcome us. We are commanded to act as we
should and we should be aware of our identity.
<<YOU ONLY HAVE I KNOWN OF ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH: THEREFORE I WILL
PUNISH YOU FOR ALL YOUR INIQUITIES [Amos 3:2].
We in Brit-Am have received knowledge concerning the identity of the Lost Ten
Tribes today amongs
at western peoples and it is our duty to spread this awareness.
[Ezekiel 33:7] SO THOU, O SON OF MAN, I HAVE SET THEE A WATCHMAN UNTO THE HOUSE
OF ISRAEL; THEREFORE THOU SHALT HEAR THE WORD AT MY MOUTH, AND WARN THEM FROM
ME.
[Ezekiel 33:8] WHEN I SAY UNTO THE WICKED, O WICKED MAN, THOU SHALT SURELY DIE;
IF THOU DOST NOT SPEAK TO WARN THE WICKED FROM HIS WAY, THAT WICKED MAN SHALL
DIE IN HIS INIQUITY; BUT HIS BLOOD WILL I REQUIRE AT THINE
HAND.
[Ezekiel 33:9] NEVERTHELESS, IF THOU WARN THE WICKED OF HIS WAY TO TURN FROM IT;
IF HE DO NOT TURN FROM HIS WAY, HE SHALL DIE IN HIS INIQUITY; BUT THOU HAST
DELIVERED THY SOUL.
[Ezekiel 33:10] THEREFORE, O THOU SON OF MAN, SPEAK UNTO THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL;
THUS YE SPEAK, SAYING, IF OUR TRANSGRESSIONS AND OUR SINS BE UPON US, AND WE
PINE AWAY IN THEM, HOW SHOULD WE THEN LIVE"
[Ezekiel 33:11] SAY UNTO THEM, AS I LIVE, SAITH THE LORD GOD, I HAVE NO PLEASURE
IN THE DEATH OF THE WICKED; BUT THAT THE WICKED TURN FROM HIS WAY AND LIVE: TURN
YE, TURN YE FROM YOUR EVIL WAYS; FOR WHY WILL YE DIE, O HOUSE OF ISRAEL"
OK. We may have sinned grievously but
that does not mean that we should not do anything about it, just give up hope.
God wants us to live but living is dependent on repentance and going along the
right path.
[Ezekiel 33:12] THEREFORE, THOU SON OF MAN, SAY UNTO THE CHILDREN OF THY PEOPLE,
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL NOT DELIVER HIM IN THE DAY OF HIS
TRANSGRESSION: AS FOR THE WICKEDNESS OF THE WICKED, HE SHALL NOT FALL THEREBY
IN THE DAY THAT HE TURNETH FROM HIS WICKEDNESS; NEITHER SHALL THE RIGHTEOUS BE
ABLE TO LIVE FOR HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS IN THE DAY THAT HE SINNETH.
[Ezekiel 33:13] WHEN I SHALL SAY TO THE RIGHTEOUS, THAT HE SHALL SURELY LIVE; IF
HE TRUST TO HIS OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND COMMIT INIQUITY, ALL HIS RIGHTEOUSNESSES
SHALL NOT BE REMEMBERED; BUT FOR HIS INIQUITY THAT HE HATH COMMITTED, HE SHALL
DIE FOR IT.
Never be certain about your own
righteousness. Also never be confident that you will not sin grievously.
[Ezekiel 33:14] AGAIN, WHEN I SAY UNTO THE WICKED, THOU SHALT SURELY DIE; IF HE
TURN FROM HIS SIN, AND DO THAT WHICH IS LAWFUL AND RIGHT;
It is never too late for the wicked to
turn from his evil ways and save himself.
[Ezekiel 33:15] IF THE WICKED RESTORE THE PLEDGE, GIVE AGAIN THAT HE HAD ROBBED,
WALK IN THE STATUTES OF LIFE, WITHOUT COMMITTING INIQUITY; HE SHALL SURELY LIVE,
HE SHALL NOT DIE.
<<GIVE AGAIN THAT HE HAD ROBBED: Easier
said than done. It is not always possible to rectify our wrong deeds.
Nevertheless if we just make an effort and start off on the right track God
often helps us (even miraculously) to go the rest of the way.
[Ezekiel 33:16] NONE OF HIS SINS THAT HE HATH COMMITTED SHALL BE MENTIONED UNTO
HIM: HE HATH DONE THAT WHICH IS LAWFUL AND RIGHT; HE SHALL SURELY
LIVE.
[Ezekiel 33:17] YET THE CHILDREN OF THY PEOPLE SAY, THE WAY OF THE LORD IS NOT
EQUAL: BUT AS FOR THEM, THEIR WAY IS NOT EQUAL.
[Ezekiel 33:18] WHEN THE RIGHTEOUS TURNETH FROM HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND
COMMITTETH INIQUITY, HE SHALL EVEN DIE THEREBY.
[Ezekiel 33:19] BUT IF THE WICKED TURN FROM HIS WICKEDNESS, AND DO THAT WHICH IS
LAWFUL AND RIGHT, HE SHALL LIVE THEREBY.
[Ezekiel 33:20] YET YE SAY, THE WAY OF THE LORD IS NOT EQUAL. O YE HOUSE OF
ISRAEL, I WILL JUDGE YOU EVERY ONE AFTER HIS WAYS.
[Ezekiel 33:21] AND IT CAME TO PASS IN THE TWELFTH YEAR OF OUR CAPTIVITY, IN THE
TENTH MONTH, IN THE FIFTH DAY OF THE MONTH, THAT ONE THAT HAD ESCAPED OUT OF
JERUSALEM CAME UNTO ME, SAYING, THE CITY IS SMITTEN.
[Ezekiel 33:22] NOW THE HAND OF THE LORD WAS UPON ME IN THE EVENING, AFORE HE
THAT WAS ESCAPED CAME; AND HAD OPENED MY MOUTH, UNTIL HE CAME TO ME IN THE
MORNING; AND MY MOUTH WAS OPENED, AND I WAS NO MORE DUMB.
[Ezekiel 33:23] THEN THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME UNTO ME,
SAYING,
[Ezekiel 33:24] SON OF MAN, THEY THAT INHABIT THOSE WASTES OF THE LAND OF ISRAEL
SPEAK, SAYING, ABRAHAM WAS ONE, AND HE INHERITED THE LAND: BUT WE ARE MANY; THE
LAND IS GIVEN US FOR INHERITANCE.
[Ezekiel 33:25] WHEREFORE SAY UNTO THEM, THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD; YE EAT WITH
THE BLOOD, AND LIFT UP YOUR EYES TOWARD YOUR IDOLS, AND SHED BLOOD: AND SHALL YE
POSSESS THE LAND"
[Ezekiel 33:26] YE STAND UPON YOUR SWORD, YE WORK ABOMINATION, AND YE DEFILE
EVERY ONE HIS NEIGHBOUR'S WIFE: AND SHALL YE POSSESS THE
LAND"
[Ezekiel 33:27] SAY THOU THUS UNTO THEM, THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD; AS I LIVE,
SURELY THEY THAT ARE IN THE WASTES SHALL FALL BY THE SWORD, AND HIM THAT IS IN
THE OPEN FIELD WILL I GIVE TO THE BEASTS TO BE DEVOURED, AND THEY THAT BE IN
THE FORTS AND IN THE CAVES SHALL DIE OF THE PESTILENCE.
[Ezekiel 33:28] FOR I WILL LAY THE LAND MOST DESOLATE, AND THE POMP OF HER
STRENGTH SHALL CEASE; AND THE MOUNTAINS OF ISRAEL SHALL BE DESOLATE, THAT NONE
SHALL PASS THROUGH.
[Ezekiel 33:29] THEN SHALL THEY KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD, WHEN I HAVE LAID THE
LAND MOST DESOLATE BECAUSE OF ALL THEIR ABOMINATIONS WHICH THEY HAVE
COMMITTED.
[Ezekiel 33:30] ALSO, THOU SON OF MAN, THE CHILDREN OF THY PEOPLE STILL ARE
TALKING AGAINST THEE BY THE WALLS AND IN THE DOORS OF THE HOUSES, AND SPEAK ONE
TO ANOTHER, EVERY ONE TO HIS BROTHER, SAYING, COME, I PRAY YOU, AND HEAR WHAT IS
THE WORD THAT COMETH FORTH FROM THE LORD.
[Ezekiel 33:31] AND THEY COME UNTO THEE AS THE PEOPLE COMETH, AND THEY SIT
BEFORE THEE AS MY PEOPLE, AND THEY HEAR THY WORDS, BUT THEY WILL NOT DO THEM:
FOR WITH THEIR MOUTH THEY SHEW MUCH LOVE, BUT THEIR HEART GOETH AFTER THEIR
COVETOUSNESS.
[Ezekiel 33:32] AND, LO, THOU ART UNTO THEM AS A VERY LOVELY SONG OF ONE THAT
HATH A PLEASANT VOICE, AND CAN PLAY WELL ON AN INSTRUMENT: FOR THEY HEAR THY
WORDS, BUT THEY DO THEM NOT.
They were relating to Ezekiel in the
same way as many relate to the Bible today: Very inspiring, good literature,
worth listening to but not acting upon.
[Ezekiel 33:33] AND WHEN THIS COMETH TO PASS, (LO, IT WILL COME,) THEN SHALL
THEY KNOW THAT A PROPHET HATH BEEN AMONG THEM.
Ezekiel 34
[Ezekiel 34:1] AND THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME UNTO ME,
SAYING,
[Ezekiel 34:2] SON OF MAN, PROPHESY AGAINST THE SHEPHERDS OF ISRAEL, PROPHESY,
AND SAY UNTO THEM, THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD UNTO THE SHEPHERDS; WOE BE TO THE
SHEPHERDS OF ISRAEL THAT DO FEED THEMSELVES! SHOULD NOT THE SHEPHERDS FEED THE
FLOCKS?
[Ezekiel 34:3] YE EAT THE FAT, AND YE CLOTHE YOU WITH THE WOOL, YE KILL THEM
THAT ARE FED: BUT YE FEED NOT THE FLOCK.
[Ezekiel 34:4] THE DISEASED HAVE YE NOT STRENGTHENED, NEITHER HAVE YE HEALED
THAT WHICH WAS SICK, NEITHER HAVE YE BOUND UP THAT WHICH WAS BROKEN, NEITHER
HAVE YE BROUGHT AGAIN THAT WHICH WAS DRIVEN AWAY, NEITHER HAVE YE SOUGHT THAT
WHICH WAS LOST; BUT WITH FORCE AND WITH CRUELTY HAVE YE RULED THEM.
The unfortunate should be helped. Very
often with a little help a lot of good people can be assisted. Sometimes people
need a lot of assistance. It is usually worthwhile assisting them. Life is a
like a turning wheel. A person in his own life can be down and later on come up
and vice versa. Or it happens with his descendants. Or it happened with his
forebears. Perhaps your forefathers were in trouble and somebody helped them"
Now it is your turn. Or it may be your turn sometime in the future with you or
your offspring to be helped" Our leaders should also seek to help the weak and
oppressed. It is obvious that people should be helped primarily to help
themselves and this should always be the emphasis. The Rabbis said that the
highest degree of charity was to assist another to become self-supporting. With
they who cannot do anything for themselves we should have compassion. Even with
those who will not do anything for themselves we should not hurry to condemn.
They should not be exploited or abused. Our leaders have a responsibility to
assist the oppressed and the sick. The "oppressed" include the victims of
crime. Our leaders have an obligation to eliminate or at least reduce the crime
rate.
Ezekiel is peaking here to the leaders but the point holds with everyone. We
should be nice to others and helpful and not the opposite. If we have authority
or influence we should use it positively and have a good eye. Everyone can
encounter troubles and we all need help in some way or other at some time or
other. So too, should we help others when we can, to the degree we are able.
[Ezekiel 34:5] AND THEY WERE SCATTERED, BECAUSE THERE IS NO SHEPHERD: AND THEY
BECAME MEAT TO ALL THE BEASTS OF THE FIELD, WHEN THEY WERE SCATTERED.
Without proper leadership society
disintegrates. The Israelites and
Judaeans
sinned because of bad leadership and were consequently scattered and became a
prey to others wqho
tok
advantage of their vulnerability.
[Ezekiel 34:6] MY SHEEP WANDERED THROUGH ALL THE MOUNTAINS, AND UPON EVERY HIGH
HILL: YEA, MY FLOCK WAS SCATTERED UPON ALL THE FACE OF THE EARTH, AND NONE DID
SEARCH OR SEEK AFTER THEM.
[Ezekiel 34:7] THEREFORE, YE SHEPHERDS, HEAR THE WORD OF THE
LORD;
[Ezekiel 34:8] AS I LIVE, SAITH THE LORD GOD, SURELY BECAUSE MY FLOCK BECAME A
PREY, AND MY FLOCK BECAME MEAT TO EVERY BEAST OF THE FIELD, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO
SHEPHERD, NEITHER DID MY SHEPHERDS SEARCH FOR MY FLOCK, BUT THE SHEPHERDS FED
THEMSELVES, AND FED NOT MY FLOCK;
[Ezekiel 34:9] THEREFORE, O YE SHEPHERDS, HEAR THE WORD OF THE
LORD;
[Ezekiel 34:10] THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD; BEHOLD, I AM AGAINST THE SHEPHERDS; AND
I WILL REQUIRE MY FLOCK AT THEIR HAND, AND CAUSE THEM TO CEASE FROM FEEDING THE
FLOCK; NEITHER SHALL THE SHEPHERDS FEED THEMSELVES ANY MORE; FOR I WILL DELIVER
MY FLOCK FROM THEIR MOUTH, THAT THEY MAY NOT BE MEAT FOR
THEM.
[Ezekiel 34:11] FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD; BEHOLD, I, EVEN I, WILL BOTH SEARCH
MY SHEEP, AND SEEK THEM OUT.
[Ezekiel 34:12] AS A SHEPHERD SEEKETH OUT HIS FLOCK IN THE DAY THAT HE IS AMONG
HIS SHEEP THAT ARE SCATTERED; SO WILL I SEEK OUT MY SHEEP, AND WILL DELIVER THEM
OUT OF ALL PLACES WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN SCATTERED IN THE CLOUDY AND DARK
DAY.
[Ezekiel 34:13] AND I WILL BRING THEM OUT FROM THE PEOPLE, AND GATHER THEM FROM
THE COUNTRIES, AND WILL BRING THEM TO THEIR OWN LAND, AND FEED THEM UPON THE
MOUNTAINS OF ISRAEL BY THE RIVERS, AND IN ALL THE INHABITED PLACES OF THE
COUNTRY.
The Children of Israel will return to
the Land of Israel.
[Ezekiel 34:14] I WILL FEED THEM IN A GOOD PASTURE, AND UPON THE HIGH MOUNTAINS
OF ISRAEL SHALL THEIR FOLD BE: THERE SHALL THEY LIE IN A GOOD FOLD, AND IN A FAT
PASTURE SHALL THEY FEED UPON THE MOUNTAINS OF ISRAEL.
[Ezekiel 34:15] I WILL FEED MY FLOCK, AND I WILL CAUSE THEM TO LIE DOWN, SAITH
THE LORD GOD.
[Ezekiel 34:16] I WILL SEEK THAT WHICH WAS LOST, AND BRING AGAIN THAT WHICH WAS
DRIVEN AWAY, AND WILL BIND UP THAT WHICH WAS BROKEN, AND WILL STRENGTHEN THAT
WHICH WAS SICK: BUT I WILL DESTROY THE FAT AND THE STRONG; I WILL FEED THEM WITH
JUDGMENT.
[Ezekiel 34:17] AND AS FOR YOU, O MY FLOCK, THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD; BEHOLD, I
JUDGE BETWEEN CATTLE AND CATTLE, BETWEEN THE RAMS AND THE HE
GOATS.
[Ezekiel 34:18] SEEMETH IT A SMALL THING UNTO YOU TO HAVE EATEN UP THE GOOD
PASTURE, BUT YE MUST TREAD DOWN WITH YOUR FEET THE RESIDUE OF YOUR PASTURES? AND
TO HAVE DRUNK OF THE DEEP WATERS, BUT YE MUST FOUL THE RESIDUE WITH YOUR
FEET?
[Ezekiel 34:19] AND AS FOR MY FLOCK, THEY EAT THAT WHICH YE HAVE TRODDEN WITH
YOUR FEET; AND THEY DRINK THAT WHICH YE HAVE FOULED WITH YOUR
FEET.
[Ezekiel 34:20] THEREFORE THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD UNTO THEM; BEHOLD, I, EVEN I,
WILL JUDGE BETWEEN THE FAT CATTLE AND BETWEEN THE LEAN
CATTLE.
[Ezekiel 34:21] BECAUSE YE HAVE THRUST WITH SIDE AND WITH SHOULDER, AND PUSHED
ALL THE DISEASED WITH YOUR HORNS, TILL YE HAVE SCATTERED THEM
ABROAD;
[Ezekiel 34:22] THEREFORE WILL I SAVE MY FLOCK, AND THEY SHALL NO MORE BE A
PREY; AND I WILL JUDGE BETWEEN CATTLE AND CATTLE.
[Ezekiel 34:23] AND I WILL SET UP ONE SHEPHERD OVER THEM, AND HE SHALL FEED
THEM, EVEN MY SERVANT DAVID; HE SHALL FEED THEM, AND HE SHALL BE THEIR SHEPHERD.
<<EVEN MY SERVANT DAVID : There
are differences of opinion as to what is meant by "David" in this verse and
others like it. Does it mean a resurrected King David? A descendant of David? A
reincarnation of David? It definitely means someone of the Davidic family.
Miracles have happened in the past. Miracles will happen in the future.
According to the simple rational every day meaning the intention is to someone
descended from King David who will be like King David.
[Ezekiel 34:24] AND I THE LORD WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND MY SERVANT DAVID A PRINCE
AMONG THEM; I THE LORD HAVE SPOKEN IT.
[Ezekiel 34:25] AND I WILL MAKE WITH THEM A COVENANT OF PEACE, AND WILL CAUSE
THE EVIL BEASTS TO CEASE OUT OF THE LAND: AND THEY SHALL DWELL SAFELY IN THE
WILDERNESS, AND SLEEP IN THE WOODS.
<<CAUSE THE EVIL BEASTS TO CEASE: There
is also a controversy as to whether this is to be taken literally. Will there be
a change in nature" Or is it figurative and mean that human beings who act like
beasts will change their ways" Incidentally in ancient times the whole area of
Greater Israel (from the Nile to the Euphrates and including Jordan, Syria, and
Lebanon) had great forests and savannah type fertile plains much of which was
sparsely populated. Herds of wild beasts such as lions, elephants, giant wild
bulls known today as aurochs, and a type of untamable wild donkey with a vicious
bite, roamed the area. At ones stage there were also many reptiles including
poisonous snakes in the area. Things have changed since. Thanks to the Romans,
Byzantines, Turks and especially the Arabs much of the land has been turned into
a desert.
[Ezekiel 34:26] AND I WILL MAKE THEM AND THE PLACES ROUND ABOUT MY HILL A
BLESSING; AND I WILL CAUSE THE SHOWER TO COME DOWN IN HIS SEASON; THERE SHALL BE
SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
The land is potentially very fertile and
only needs regular water supply and some attention to make it bloom.
[Ezekiel 34:27] AND THE TREE OF THE FIELD SHALL YIELD HER FRUIT, AND THE EARTH
SHALL YIELD HER INCREASE, AND THEY SHALL BE SAFE IN THEIR LAND, AND SHALL KNOW
THAT I AM THE LORD, WHEN I HAVE BROKEN THE BANDS OF THEIR YOKE, AND DELIVERED
THEM OUT OF THE HAND OF THOSE THAT SERVED THEMSELVES OF THEM.
<<TREE OF THE FIELD SHALL YIELD HER
FRUIT: This has begun to happen in a small way in the land of Israel. The
boundaries of Jewish settlement in Israel are known as "The Green Line". Where
Jews live you find some vegetation, some greenery. Where Arabs dominate the land
is mostly bare although Israeli example and Israeli instruction and
encouragement has here and there led the Arabs to improve their agricultural
practices.
<<THEY SHALL BE SAFE IN THEIR LAND: Jews who live in Israel often feel a sense
of security and belonging despite the fact that Arab terrorists frequently try
and kill them and the Arabs in general are hostile. An Arab can more or less
walk freely in any area of Jewish settlement. Arab womenfolk and family groups
frequently come to the Jewish areas to shop and enjoy themselves in the friendly
civilized atmosphere. A Jew who wanders into an Arab area runs the risk of being
lynched. At the least the chances are quite high that he will be abused,
physically threatened, have stones thrown at him and probably be physically
assaulted. I am speaking of Arab areas under Israeli control. In Arab areas
under Arab control he runs the risk of being shot on sight no questions asked or
tortured before being murdered.
[Ezekiel 34:28] AND THEY SHALL NO MORE BE A PREY TO THE HEATHEN, NEITHER SHALL
THE BEAST OF THE LAND DEVOUR THEM; BUT THEY SHALL DWELL SAFELY, AND NONE SHALL
MAKE THEM AFRAID.
This is at least partly referring to
Judah. Judah in exile was a prey to all kinds of lowlife elements who
periodically carried out pogroms on Jewish settlements. Often with the support
of the ruling authorities and aristocracy the rabble would descend on Jewish
homes and kill, rape, maim, and rob. Things like this happened all over Europe
wherever Jews were settled. In recent times it happened a lot in Russia, the
Ukraine, Poland, and Rumania. The people who carried out such deeds really
deserve to be called "THE BEAST OF THE LAND".
All things considered, since Brit-Am began its activity of promoting Brit-Am
knowledge we were usually treated well. People supported us, expressed some
interest, or politely disagreed and mentioned their reservations or lack of
interest. Here and there we encountered unworthy opposition. Lies were told
about us, quotations that we never made and beliefs that we did not have imputed
to our name, insults were thrown in our direction, threats made, and so on.
Usually the lower the standard our opponents went down to the more they exposed
their own true base selves. There is a saying that when the dogs bark it is a
sign that the carriages are moving forward.
[Ezekiel 34:29] AND I WILL RAISE UP FOR THEM A PLANT OF RENOWN, AND THEY SHALL
BE NO MORE CONSUMED WITH HUNGER IN THE LAND, NEITHER BEAR THE SHAME OF THE
HEATHEN ANY MORE.
<<NEITHER BEAR THE SHAME OF THE HEATHEN:
Jews were often persecuted and forced to live with stereotyped images of
themselves. These stereotypes often reflected the nature of the heathens who
created them. The Jews had to bear "the shame of the heathen". Even now the
Islam religious instructors all over the world describe the Jews as apes and
monkeys and as a people to be despised. The Jews of the world hardly number the
population of a few large Islamic cities yet in terms of positive contribution
to civilization they are equal to the whole of Islam multiplied thousands of
times over, and much more. "Apes and monkeys" is a description the Islamic
leaders apparently created subconsciously as pertinent to themselves. These
people hate and despise themselves but cannot live with it so they cast their
shame on what they feel to be the weakest object around, on the Jews. The Arabs
always were and still are the greatest slave-traders in the world. The black
people of Sudan are being killed and enslaved and greatly abused in every
imaginable way. The culprits are Arabs and Muslims. Arab women are not happy.
Many commit suicide. OK enough of this. The point has been made and the facts
are well-known.
[Ezekiel 34:30] THUS SHALL THEY KNOW THAT I THE LORD THEIR GOD AM WITH THEM, AND
THAT THEY, EVEN THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL, ARE MY PEOPLE, SAITH THE LORD GOD.
<<ARE MY PEOPLE: The Jewish people are
the People of God. The Lost Ten Tribes also belong to this category. The Lost
Ten Tribes did not bear any shame though the lack of knowledge of their true
identity is a loss to the potential of self-fulfillment which is one of the
basic instincts of life.
[Ezekiel 34:31] AND YE MY FLOCK, THE FLOCK OF MY PASTURE, ARE MEN, AND I AM YOUR
GOD, SAITH THE LORD GOD.
Ezekiel 35
[Ezekiel 35:1] MOREOVER THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME UNTO ME,
SAYING,
[Ezekiel 35:2] SON OF MAN, SET THY FACE AGAINST MOUNT SEIR, AND PROPHESY AGAINST
IT,
<<MOUNT
SEIR:
This was another name for "Edom".
[Ezekiel 35:3] 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.
[Ezekiel 35:4] I WILL LAY THY CITIES WASTE, AND THOU SHALT BE DESOLATE, AND THOU
SHALT KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD.
[Ezekiel 35:5] BECAUSE THOU HAST HAD A PERPETUAL HATRED, AND HAST SHED THE BLOOD
OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL BY THE FORCE OF THE SWORD IN THE TIME OF THEIR
CALAMITY, IN THE TIME THAT THEIR INIQUITY HAD AN END:
[Ezekiel 35:6] THEREFORE, AS I LIVE, SAITH THE LORD GOD, I WILL PREPARE THEE
UNTO BLOOD, AND BLOOD SHALL PURSUE THEE: SITH THOU HAST NOT HATED BLOOD, EVEN
BLOOD SHALL PURSUE THEE.
[Ezekiel 35:7] THUS WILL I MAKE MOUNT SEIR MOST DESOLATE, AND CUT OFF FROM IT
HIM THAT PASSETH OUT AND HIM THAT RETURNETH.
[Ezekiel 35:8] AND I WILL FILL HIS MOUNTAINS WITH HIS SLAIN MEN: IN THY HILLS,
AND IN THY VALLEYS, AND IN ALL THY RIVERS, SHALL THEY FALL THAT ARE SLAIN WITH
THE SWORD.
Edom (Esau) will be destroyed.
[Ezekiel 35:9] I WILL MAKE THEE PERPETUAL DESOLATIONS, AND THY CITIES SHALL NOT
RETURN: AND YE SHALL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD.
[Ezekiel 35:10] BECAUSE THOU HAST SAID, THESE TWO NATIONS AND THESE TWO
COUNTRIES SHALL BE MINE, AND WE WILL POSSESS IT; WHEREAS THE LORD WAS THERE:
The
Edomites
lusted after the lands of northern Israel and of Judah. They wished to replace
them and take what had belonged to them. Nowadays the
Edomites
of Europe and Asia hate both the Jews and the "Anglos" and plot against them.
[Ezekiel 35:11] 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 35:12] AND THOU SHALT KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD, AND THAT 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.
[Ezekiel 35:13] THUS WITH YOUR MOUTH YE HAVE BOASTED AGAINST ME, AND HAVE
MULTIPLIED YOUR WORDS AGAINST ME: I HAVE HEARD THEM.
[Ezekiel 35:14] THUS SAITH THE LORD GOD; WHEN THE WHOLE EARTH REJOICETH, I WILL
MAKE THEE DESOLATE.
[Ezekiel 35:15] AS THOU DIDST REJOICE AT THE INHERITANCE OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL,
BECAUSE IT WAS DESOLATE, SO WILL I DO UNTO THEE: THOU SHALT BE DESOLATE, O MOUNT
SEIR, AND ALL IDUMEA, EVEN ALL OF IT: AND THEY SHALL KNOW THAT I AM THE
LORD.
See also:
Biblical Proofs
http://www.britam.org/Proof/ProofsIntro.html
Main Page
Exekiel chs. 26 to 30