Page 129 - NOTES ON EZEKIEL

CHAPTER XXV. 123
that “ the house of Judah is like to all the heathen.”
But not so either in their privileges or in their punish­
ment, though alas! too like in their sins. This how­
ever was not what Moab disliked, but the mercy God
had shewn them and their call to be at the head of
nations as the witness of Jehovah; and therefore did
He execute judgments in Moab that they might know
Him. Tiie God of Israel governs the nations.
Seir had been coupled with Moab; but Edom’s im­
placable hatred must have a distinct place also. “ Thus
saith the Lord Jehovah, Because that Edom hath dealt
against thehouse of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath
greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them;
therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah, I will also
stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man
and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from
Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword.
And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand
of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom accord­
ing to mine anger and according to my fury; and they
shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord Jehovah.”
(Ver. 12—14.) Should not Edom have been grieved
for his brother ? Bather did he seize their ruin by the
Gentile stranger to avenge himself for his old grudge.
But God was not mocked then any more than now, and
in this case inflicts His vengeance on Edom by the
hand of His people Israel; “ and they shall execute
upon Edom according to mine anger and according to
my fury, and they shall know my vengeance” [not
simply “ that I am Jehovah”] “ saith the Lord
Jehovah.”
Had the stranger come from Crete and settled.