The prophet Ezekiel delivered this message during the dark days following the fall of Jerusalem, roughly around 586 b.c. Writing from exile in Babylon, he directs a piercing prophecy against Mount Seir, the mountainous region inhabited by the Edomites. These people were descendants of Esau and held a deep, ancestral rivalry with the descendants of Jacob. While the Israelites faced the devastation of their city and the burning of their temple, their neighbors in Edom did not offer sympathy or aid. Instead, the Edomites seized the opportunity to plunder the land and rejoice in Israel's destruction. This ancient text addresses the grim reality of opportunistic hatred and the long memory of a grudge held between brothers. It sets the stage for a divine response to a neighbor who kicks a man while he is down.

Know God. We discover here that the Lord is an attentive listener who pays close attention to the words spoken in arrogance. The text reveals a God who is intimately involved in the defense of those who cannot defend themselves. Even though he had disciplined his own people for their failures, he would not tolerate the mockery and malice of their enemies. He identifies himself as a witness to the boasts made against him and his people. We see a God who equates an attack on his people as an attack on his own reputation. He is not a distant observer but a present judge who ensures that justice is reciprocal. The desolation that Edom wished upon others would eventually return to them. This passage underscores that the Lord values humility and compassion, and he stands firmly against those who cherish perpetual hatred.

Bridge the Gap. Ancient rivalries over land and inheritance often mirror the long-standing conflicts we face in our own lives today. The animosity between Edom and Israel was not new; it was a festering wound that had lasted for generations. In our modern context, this speaks to the dangers of nurturing old grievances within families or communities. It is easy to feel a secret sense of satisfaction when someone we dislike faces a setback or a failure. This text challenges that natural human instinct to rejoice in the misfortune of others. We see this dynamic in business when competitors celebrate a rival's bankruptcy, or in personal relationships when we feel validated by another person's stumble. The mindset of Mount Seir is the mindset of opportunism, where we view another person's loss solely as our potential gain.

Take Action. The practical response to this message involves a deep audit of our internal attitudes toward those we consider adversaries. We must actively reject the temptation to capitalize on someone else's weakness. If we see a neighbor, a former colleague, or an estranged family member suffering, the call is to offer aid or, at the very least, refrain from arrogant speech. We should practice silence and restraint rather than voicing opinions about why they deserved their fate. True strength is shown by refusing to kick someone when they are down. We are encouraged to break cycles of generational bitterness by choosing mercy over mockery. This means guarding our tongues and our hearts, knowing that the Lord hears not just our prayers, but also our boasts and our whispers of contempt.