After spending much of his time prophesying regarding the nation of Israel, Ezekiel revealed God’s judgment against the nation of Edom, identified as “Mount Seir” (Ezekiel 35:1). When God’s people faced destruction, the Edomites reviled them and rejoiced over the opportunity to enrich themselves at their expense (Ezekiel 35:12).
In doing this, the nation of Edom had also “spoken arrogantly against [God] and have multiplied [their] words against [God]” (Ezekiel 35:13). Yet God was going to hold them accountable for their wicked attitude.
God told the Edomites, “As all the earth rejoices, I will make you a desolation. As you rejoiced over the inheritance of the house of Israel because it was desolate, so I will do to you. You will be a desolation, O Mount Seir, and all Edom, all of it. Then they will know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 35:14-15).
There are wicked people today who take pleasure in the hardships and persecutions that Christians face. They even use it as an opportunity to blaspheme God for allowing it to happen or to deny that God even exists. Yet the example of the Edomites shows that those with this attitude will eventually be called to account for it.
So remember that those who rejoice over the calamity of God’s people will be punished. God sees all that is done in this life, and the wicked will face the wrath of God at the final judgment while the righteous will be rewarded. Therefore, let us not be discouraged when others mock or ridicule us; instead, let us hold onto our faith through every circumstance.