In the narrative of the Exodus the Israelites have reached the fortieth and final year of their wilderness wanderings, and a new generation is preparing to enter the Promised Land. When they reach the territory of the Edomites, the descendants of Jacob’s brother Esau, they request permission to cross that territory, promising to pay for any water or other resources that they use in the process.
The Edomites deny permission to cross their territory and send out an army to enforce their answer. And so the Israelites take a longer route to circumvent the land of Esau.
Sadly, in the ensuing centuries, relations between Israel and Esau did not improve. In fact, the Edomites rejoiced when the Babylonians conquered Judah and destroyed the Temple. We read about this a few months ago in our study of the prophecy of Obadiah. Obadiah said, “You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble” (Obad 1:12). Obadiah warned the Edomites, “Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever” (verse 10).
Obadiah’s prophecy was fulfilled. The Edomites were conquered some time later in the sixth century B.C., and after that there was no longer a kingdom of Esau.
Edom’s example reminds us of God’s promise to Abraham in Gen 12:3: “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” It also reminds us of the words of Jesus in Matt 12:30: “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” May we always be on the side of God’s people, his purposes, and his Messiah!
Psalm 135:3-14: Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant. For the LORD has chosen Jacob to be his own, Israel to be his treasured possession. I know that the LORD is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses. He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, the firstborn of men and animals. He sent his signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants. He struck down many nations and killed mighty kings–Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan and all the kings of Canaan–and he gave their land as an inheritance, an inheritance to his people Israel. Your name, O LORD, endures forever, your renown, O LORD, through all generations. For the LORD will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants.
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