The word of the LORD was delivered to Ezekiel to prophesy concerning the nations that emerged from Isaac: Edom and Israel. Edom, represented by Mount Seir, is judged because of its long hatred toward Israel. When Israel was weak and suffering, Edom took advantage of them, rejoiced in their fall, and even desired their land. Because of this, God declares that Edom will become a desolate land, filled with ruin and bloodshed. Their pride and hostility bring about their complete downfall, and their land will remain empty as a sign of God’s judgment. In contrast, Israel, though it had sinned and was scattered among the nations, is given a promise of restoration. While Edom faces lasting destruction because of its hatred and actions, Israel is restored not because it deserved it, but for the sake of His holy name, which had been profaned among the nations.
Israel Over Edom
“Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his hill country into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals. ”
Malachi 1:2-3 (NIV)
Why does God deal differently with the rebellion of the people of Israel than with the people of Edom?
God deals differently with the rebellion of Israel and Edom because, although their hearts were much the same, their relationship with Him was not. Israel too would have rejoiced if Edom had been brought down by foreign rulers—such was their own hardness and hatred—yet Edom openly acted in hostility, taking pleasure in Israel’s fall. Because of this, God brings destruction upon Edom, while Israel, though equally rebellious, remains under His covenant. He disciplines them but does not abandon them, and instead promises them a forever kingdom. God deals differently with Israel and Edom not because one is less guilty, but because of His covenant and His purpose.
God tells Ezekiel to speak to the mountains of Israel, declaring that although the surrounding nations—especially Edom—have mocked, plundered, and taken possession of the land with pride and malice, He has seen their actions. Because they rejoiced over Israel’s ruin and treated the land with contempt, God responds in zeal and anger, promising that those very nations will in turn face scorn and judgement.
Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I swear with uplifted hand that the nations around you will also suffer scorn.
Ezekiel 36:7 (NIV)
Does God show favour to one nation over another?
God does not show favour to one nation over another based on identity, even though it may appear so in times of war and conflict. Throughout history, both sides have prayed for protection and victory, yet outcomes differ—this does not mean God is partial, but that His purposes go beyond human understanding and national loyalties. Even today, many Christians wrongly show favour to one country in the Middle East while harbouring hatred toward the surrounding nations, but this reflects human bias, not God’s nature. Wars happen because of human leaders—their ambitions and insecurities—not because God favours one nation. While people draw borders and divide themselves, to God there is only one people; we are all His.
Restoring the Broken
God promises that the land of Israel, once desolate, mocked, and associated with loss, will be fully restored—producing fruit, rebuilt with inhabited towns, and filled again with His people in great number. The land will no longer be a place of sorrow or shame but of life, prosperity, and security, where Israel will dwell as a lasting inheritance. This restoration shows that God is not only bringing the people back but also renewing what was broken, reversing their disgrace and proving His faithfulness, so that they will recognise that it is the LORD who has accomplished it.
I will increase the number of people and animals living on you, and they will be fruitful and become numerous. I will settle people on you as in the past and will make you prosper more than before. Then you will know that I am the LORD.
Ezekiel 36:11 (NIV)
Why do people recognise God and His grace only during times of restoration?
People often recognise God and His grace only during times of restoration because they are more drawn to visible blessings than to the quiet work of correction and growth. Like in the case of Job, many admire his story after his restoration and even name their children after his sons and daughters, focusing on the outcome rather than the suffering and lessons that came before. When God is teaching, correcting, or allowing hardship, people tend to question His sovereignty and resist His ways. But once restoration and blessing come, they readily acknowledge Him, as if He had always been their God. This reveals a tendency to value God’s gifts more than His purpose, and to recognise His hand only when it brings comfort rather than when it brings transformation.
The people of Israel defiled their own land through their sinful actions, shedding blood and turning to idols, making their conduct unclean in God’s sight. Because of this, they were judged and scattered among the nations. Even in exile, their behaviour brought dishonour to God’s name, as others saw them as His people who had been driven out of His land. God promises to gather Israel from the nations and bring them back to their own land, cleansing them from their sins and idols. He will give them a new heart and a new spirit, replacing their stubbornness with a willingness to follow His ways. He will dwell among them, restore their relationship with Him, and bless the land with abundance so they no longer face shame. This restoration will also lead them to recognise their past sins with repentance, understanding that God is acting not because of their righteousness, but out of His Grace.
Leading Us Back to The Garden
This is what the Sovereign LORD says: On the day I cleanse you from all your sins, I will resettle your towns, and the ruins will be rebuilt. The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through it. They will say, “This land that was laid waste has become like the garden of Eden; the cities that were lying in ruins, desolate and destroyed, are now fortified and inhabited. ”
Ezekiel 36:33-35 (NIV)
God concludes by promising that once He cleanses Israel, their ruined land and cities will be fully restored—transformed from desolation into something like the garden of Eden, inhabited and thriving. The nations will witness this renewal and recognise that it is the LORD who has rebuilt and restored. Israel will increase greatly in number, filling the cities once again, and through this complete restoration, both they and the surrounding nations will know that He is the LORD.
While we were still sinners, God chose to redeem us by sending His Son. He is making us clean out of His grace, not because of our righteousness or because of any ritual purifications or baptisms, but purely because of His mercy. He is giving us a new heart, replacing our stone-cold, hardened hearts with something that can respond to Him. He does this work within us so that we are no longer bound to our old ways. Finally, we are able to leave our ruined state behind and live with Him forever, restored and whole, like in the garden of Eden.
The Jordan Valley 
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