Ezekiel 36:4
therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD: Thus says the Lord GOD to the mountains and the hills, the ravines and the valleys, the desolate wastes and the deserted cities, which have become a prey and derision to the rest of the nations all around,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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God doesn't just speak to people; He addresses the very land of Israel, personifying its mountains, valleys, and even desolate ruins. This dramatic address highlights that the land itself has witnessed and suffered from the nation's downfall, making it a silent participant in their humiliation.
This passage comes after God has condemned the surrounding nations for their mockery and greed towards Israel, especially during its exile. Now, Ezekiel is commanded to speak directly to the land itself – its mountains, valleys, and ruined cities – highlighting how they have been plundered and scorned by other peoples. The focus shifts from past judgment on enemies to God's future restoration of Israel and its territory, promising that the land will be revitalized and recognized once more.
Why would God speak to rocks and valleys? It sounds like poetry, but there's a powerful purpose behind this dramatic call to the very landscape of Israel.
A Divine Audience
God’s message in Ezekiel 36 starts with a direct address: "Therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD!" (v. 4).
It’s not just to the people, but to the land itself – the mountains, hills, ravines, and valleys. This isn’t just figurative language; it highlights how deeply the land itself was affected by Israel's sin and exile. The land was meant to be a sign of God's blessing, but it became desolate and a source of shame.
A Land of Shame
These parts of the land, once promised and blessed, had become "a prey and derision to the rest of the nations all around." The surrounding peoples mocked them, plundered them, and looked at their desolation as proof of their God's weakness. God's decree to the land itself is the prelude to His promise of restoration, showing that the land's brokenness would be healed, and its shame replaced with glory.
The enemies of Israel didn't just conquer them; they mocked God and profited from His people's ruin. What does this tell us about God's justice and faithfulness?
The Scars of Defeat
Ezekiel paints a stark picture: the mountains, hills, and cities of Israel had become 'a prey and derision.' This wasn't just a military defeat; it was a public humiliation on the world stage.
The surrounding nations—Edomites, Philistines, Ammonites, and others—looked at the ruins of Jerusalem and the scattered people and scoffed. They saw Israel's exile as proof that their God was powerless against their own gods. They looted the land and reveled in its downfall.
God's Vindication Promised
But God is about to turn the tables. This verse isn't just describing the past shame; it's setting the stage for God's powerful rebuttal. He declares to the very land that was plundered and mocked that He sees its suffering and will bring about a complete restoration. The nations that profited from Israel's distress would themselves face judgment, and the land would be rebuilt and honored once more.
This prophecy is spoken during the Babylonian exile, after Jerusalem and its temple were destroyed in 586 BC. The land lay desolate, becoming a mockery to surrounding nations, setting the stage for God's promise of future restoration and vindication.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation of Judeans
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon captures Jerusalem and deports a portion of its inhabitants, including members of the royal family and educated elite, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Judah's subjugation to Babylon.
597 BC
Second Deportation of Judeans
Following a revolt, Nebuchadnezzar deports more Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel and King Jehoiachin, to Babylon. Jerusalem's temple is plundered.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
After a prolonged siege, Nebuchadnezzar's forces destroy Jerusalem and its magnificent temple. The majority of the remaining population is exiled to Babylon, leaving the land largely desolate.
c. 580 BC - 570 BC
Ezekiel's Prophecies of Restoration
While in exile, Ezekiel delivers a series of prophecies, including chapters 36-39, which foretell the future restoration of Israel, the regathering of its people, and the renewal of the land.
This passage echoes the same sentiment of being a 'reproach' and 'derision' to surrounding nations, highlighting the deep shame and mockery experienced by God's people when they fall into disaster.
Jeremiah 23:5-6This prophecy looks forward to a future restoration, speaking of a righteous Branch who will rule justly, bringing security and peace to the land, which contrasts with the desolation and prey described in Ezekiel.
Romans 8:19-22This New Testament passage speaks of the whole creation groaning in expectation of liberation from decay, mirroring the idea in some commentaries that even the land itself suffers and awaits redemption alongside its people.
Isaiah 54:2-3This prophetic word directly addresses the shame and barrenness of God's people, calling them to expand their tents and promising that they will not only recover but also surpass their former glory and oppressors.
pulpitEzekiel 36:4: "Therefore, ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys, to the desolate wastes, and to the cities that are forsaken, which became a prey and derision to the residue of the heathen that are round about;"
Verse 4. - The rivers (or, channels, bottoms, dales) were the water-courses, wadies, or ravines through which mountain streams flowed, as in Ezekiel 35:8; and the residue of th…
jfbEzekiel 36:4: "Therefore, ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys, to the desolate wastes, and to the cities that are forsaken, which became a prey and derision to the residue of the heathen that are round about;"
- Inanimate creatures are addressed, to imply that the creature also, as it were, groans for deliverance from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the childr…
God doesn't just speak to people; He addresses the very land of Israel, personifying its mountains, valleys, and even desolate ruins. This dramatic address highlights that the land itself has witnessed and suffered from the nation's downfall, making it a silent participant in their humiliation.
This passage comes after God has condemned the surrounding nations for their mockery and greed towards Israel, especially during its exile. Now, Ezekiel is commanded to speak directly to the land itself – its mountains, valleys, and ruined cities – highlighting how they have been plundered and scorned by other peoples. The focus shifts from past judgment on enemies to God's future restoration of Israel and its territory, promising that the land will be revitalized and recognized once more.
This passage comes after God has condemned the surrounding nations for their mockery and greed towards Israel, especially during its exile. Now, Ezekiel is commanded to speak directly to the land itself – its mountains, valleys, and ruined cities – highlighting how they have been plundered and scorned by other peoples. The focus shifts from past judgment on enemies to God's future restoration of Israel and its territory, promising that the land will be revitalized and recognized once more.
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539 BC
Fall of Babylon
The Persian Empire, led by Cyrus the Great, conquers Babylon. This shifts the geopolitical landscape and sets the stage for the return of exiled peoples.
538 BC
Decree of Cyrus
Cyrus the Great issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marks the beginning of the return from Babylonian exile.
"therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD: Thus says the Lord GOD to the mountains and the hills, the ravines and the valleys, the desolate wastes and the deserted cities, which have become a prey and derision to the…" — God doesn't just speak to people; He addresses the very land of Israel, personifying its mountains, valleys, and even desolate ruins. This dramatic address highlights that the land itself has witness…
