Smiths Outline Bible Project

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Ezekiel 35: Prophecy of Judgment & Hope

Introduction: Ezekiel 35 is a message judgment of Edom, and  hope for Israel’s future, spoken by the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel. In this chapter, God speaks through Ezekiel to condemn the nation of Edom for their pride and violence against Israel. However, in the midst of this judgment, there is a promise of restoration for Israel. This chapter serves as a reminder to the believers that God is just and will ultimately bring about justice, restoration and peace for His people. We can have a great hope  that all iniquity and evil will be brought to an end one day for the faithful followers of Christ.

I. The Judgment of Edom (Ezekiel 35:1-9)
In these verses, God speaks through Ezekiel to condemn the nation of Edom for their actions against Israel. The Edomites had rejoiced in the downfall of Israel and had taken advantage of their weakness. God promises to bring judgment upon Edom and to make it desolate. This judgment is reminiscent of the judgment pronounced on Babylon in Jeremiah 50:13 and on Tyre in Ezekiel 26:4. Just as God brought judgment upon these nations, so too will He bring judgment upon Edom.

II. The Restoration of Israel (Ezekiel 35:10-15)
In contrast to the judgment of Edom, God promises to restore Israel. The people of Israel had been scattered and oppressed, but God promises to bring them back to their land and to bless them. This promise of restoration is echoed in Isaiah 11:12, where God promises to gather the scattered people of Israel. It is also reminiscent of the promise made in Jeremiah 30:3, where God promises to bring back the people of Israel from captivity.

Conclusion: Ezekiel 35 is a message of hope for the future. While it begins with a judgment on Edom, it ends with a promise of restoration for Israel. God is just and will bring judgment upon those who oppress His people, but He will also bring restoration and peace to those who are faithful to Him. This chapter remind the faithful, that no matter how bleak the present times may seem, God’s promises in His Word for the future are sure and certain.

The Nicolaitans were a group mentioned in the book of Revelation in the New Testament, specifically in Revelation 2:6, 2:15. They were a heretical sect in the early Christian church that was condemned by Jesus in his messages to the churches of Ephesus and Pergamum. The exact beliefs and practices of the Nicolaitans are not clearly described in the Bible, but early church leaders such as Irenaeus and Clement of Alexandria suggested that they promoted sexual immorality and the consumption of food sacrificed to idols. Some scholars believe that the Nicolaitans were followers of a false teacher named Nicolas, who may have been one of the original seven deacons appointed by the apostles in Acts 6:5. However, the exact identity and teachings of the Nicolaitans remain a matter of debate among theologians and historians.