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Section Introduction
This is sometimes called the 'little apocalypse', compared with 'Isaiah’s apocalypse' (chapters
24-27). Thus there are two 'apocalyptic' sections in the book: The first (chapters 24-27) follows the prophecies against the pride of individual nations, and the second (chapters 34-35) follows the
prophecies set during the struggle with Assyria in 701, showing the folly of trusting the nations.
Through the lengthy section from chapter 13 to 35, the basic question is asked: “Who shall we
trust? - Yahweh or the nations?”. Chapters 13 to 23 show that the nations will be judged by Yahweh, who is sovereign over them. There is therefore no point trusting in the nations. Chapters 24 to 27 show that on the day of the Lord all nations will come under his judgement, and salvation will be for those who trust him. Chapters 28 to 33 show that it is folly to trust in Egypt during the threat from Assyria. Only Yahweh can deliver his people. The climax comes in chapters 34 to 35 where there is universal judgement on all God’s enemies, with a focus on Edom, followed by a wonderful restoration. The choice is given: Trust God or the nations? If they trust the nations, the land will become a desert (ch 34), but if they trust God, the land will become a fruitful garden (ch 35).
Again, as in ch 24-27, the images of judgement and restoration point to the final judgement and
restoration portrayed in the Book of Revelation: the graphic images of judgement (34:3, Rev 14:20), the universal cosmic upheaval (34:4, Rev 6:13), the new Zion (35:10, Rev 14:1), and the new Jerusalem (35:8-10, Rev 22:14).
Section outline
1. Edom, an example of judgement (desert) (34:1-17)
2. Promise of restoration (garden) (35:1-10)
1. Edom, an example of judgement (desert) (34:1-17)
In this oracle of judgement, Edom stands as the representative of the nations, who are called
before God in his divine courtroom. God is enraged against the nation of Edom so it will be turned into a
desert and be inhabited by wild beasts.
Outline
1a. Lord enraged against the nations (34:1-4)
1b. Day of vengeance against Edom (34:5-17)
1a. Lord enraged against the nations (34:1-4)
God summons all the nations to stand accused in his divine court (v1). The Lord is enraged
against the nations, and condemns them to slaughter (v2). The whole of the universe will be dissolved, a
dramatic description of the day of the Lord.
1b. Day of vengeance against Edom (34:5-17)
God’s sword of execution is the sword of sacrifice (v5), falling on Edom and its capital city of
Bozrah on God’s day of vengeance (v6-7), when Zion will be vindicated (v8). There is a graphic
description of judgment, with the streams of Edom being turned into pitch, and her soil into sulphur
burning forever, leaving it a wasteland inhabited by wild animals (v11-15).
Edom stands for all nations that have stood defiantly before the Lord through history (like
Babylon). The focus on Edom in this chapter continues the theme of continuing conflict between Judah
and Edom, which started with the conflict between Jacob and Esau. As the Lord said to Rebekah, “Two
nations are in your womb, and two peoples born of you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than
the other, the elder shall server the younger” (Gen 25:23). However, God will defend Mt Zion and
vindicate his people.
2. Promise of restoration (garden) (35:1-10)
God will come to judge the proud, but will also come to save his people. For them the situation
will be reversed, so the wilderness will become a garden, and a place of rejoicing when God comes to
save his people. On the day of the Lord, God comes with vengeance on the wicked, but comes to save his
people.
The ransomed will return with joy on the Holy Way. When God comes in his glory, the desert
will burst into flower (v1-2). However God’s people must take courage, strengthen themselves in God,
and have confidence that God will come both in vengeance against their enemies, and to save his people
(v3-4). The restoration will be of both humans and the land (v5-7). The blindness and deafness of ch 6
will be reversed, and the desert will bloom. When God brings restoration, God’s redeemed people will
travel on the Holy Way back to Zion, and fill the city with joyful songs (v8-10).
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