Ezekiel 35:13

You boasted against Me with your mouth and multiplied your words against Me. I heard it Myself!

Study Bible

You boasted against Me with your mouth
This phrase highlights the arrogance and pride of Edom, a nation that often opposed Israel. In biblical context, boasting against God signifies a deep-seated rebellion and lack of reverence. Historically, Edom, descended from Esau, had a long-standing enmity with Israel, the descendants of Jacob. This enmity is rooted in the Genesis account of Jacob and Esau, where Esau sold his birthright to Jacob. The boasting here can be seen as Edom's prideful attitude and their belief in their own strength and security, despite God's sovereignty. This is reminiscent of other biblical instances where nations or individuals boasted against God, such as in Isaiah 10:15, where Assyria is rebuked for its arrogance.

and multiplied your words against Me.
The multiplication of words against God suggests persistent and repeated blasphemy or slander. This indicates not just a single act of defiance but a continual pattern of disrespect and opposition. In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, words held significant power, and to speak against a deity was a serious offense. This phrase underscores the gravity of Edom's sin, as they not only opposed God but did so repeatedly and with increasing intensity. This can be paralleled with the behavior of other nations in the Bible, such as Babylon, which also spoke arrogantly against God (Isaiah 47:8-10).

I heard it Myself!
This declaration emphasizes God's omniscience and His personal involvement in the affairs of nations. It serves as a reminder that no action or word escapes God's notice. Theologically, this reflects the belief in a God who is both transcendent and immanent, aware of and responsive to human actions. This assurance of divine awareness is echoed in other scriptures, such as Psalm 94:9, which affirms that God, who created the ear, surely hears. It also serves as a warning that God will hold nations and individuals accountable for their words and actions, as seen in the judgment pronounced on Edom in the surrounding passages of Ezekiel 35.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Ezekiel
A prophet of God who ministered to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. He conveyed God's messages of judgment and restoration.

2. Mount Seir
A mountainous region associated with Edom, the descendants of Esau. In this chapter, it symbolizes the hostility and enmity of Edom against Israel.

3. Edomites
The descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother. Historically, they were often in conflict with the Israelites and are the primary focus of God's judgment in this passage.

4. God
The sovereign Lord who hears and judges the words and actions of nations and individuals.

5. Judgment
The event of divine retribution that God pronounces against Edom for their prideful and hostile words against Him and His people.

Teaching Points

The Power of Words
Our words have significant power and can reflect the condition of our hearts. We must be mindful of how we speak about God and others.

God Hears and Judges
God is attentive to the words we speak. He hears both our praises and our boasts, and He will hold us accountable for them.

Pride Leads to Downfall
The pride of Edom led to their judgment. We must guard against pride and arrogance, especially in how we relate to God and His people.

Interpersonal Relationships
Just as Edom's hostility towards Israel was condemned, we should strive for peace and reconciliation in our relationships, avoiding enmity and strife.

Repentance and Humility
Recognizing our faults and turning away from prideful speech is crucial. Humility before God and others is a key aspect of Christian living.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the historical enmity between Edom and Israel help us understand the context of Ezekiel 35:13?

2. In what ways can we be guilty of "boasting against God" in our own lives today?

3. How does the theme of God's judgment in Ezekiel 35:13 relate to the New Testament teachings on the power of the tongue?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure our words align with God's will and reflect humility?

5. How can we apply the lessons from Edom's downfall to our personal and communal relationships within the church?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Obadiah 1
This book also addresses the judgment against Edom for their pride and violence against Israel, reinforcing the themes found in Ezekiel 35.

Psalm 94:4
This verse speaks of the arrogance of the wicked, similar to the boasting of Edom against God.

James 3:5-6
These verses discuss the power of the tongue, which aligns with the theme of boasting and speaking against God.