Ezekiel 35:12
“You will know that I, Yahweh, have heard all your insults which you have spoken against the mountains of Israel, saying, ‘They have been laid desolate. They have been given us to devour.’”
What does Ezekiel 35:12 mean?
God is telling Edom (represented here by the mountains surrounding Israel) that He has been listening to their mocking words and their greedy desire to seize Israel's devastated land for themselves. The mountains of Israel had been stripped bare during the exile, and Edom saw an opportunity to expand their territory and profit from their neighbor's suffering. What makes this moment significant is that God is saying, "I heard you, and I see your heart." This verse reminds us that God doesn't miss the hidden cruelty we inflict through our words, especially when we mock those already broken or try to exploit their pain for gain. It's both a warning and a comfort: a warning if we're tempted to kick others when they're down, and comfort if we've been on the receiving end of such mockery, because God sees and takes it seriously.