085. II. Obadiah’s Diatribe Against Edom
II OBADIAH’S DIATRIBE AGAINST EDOM 1. Edom’s Hereditary Relations with Judah From the dawn of Israel’s history as a nation there was traditional enmity between the Hebrews and the Edomites. Of all the foes with whom Israel had to contend, these were the most implacable and untiring. Only a strong hand availed to keep them in retirement and subjection. The traditions of the wilderness wanderings, preserved in Numbers and Deuteronomy, convey the impression that Edom was hostile from the very beginning of their contact, desiring to hold no relations of amity with their kinsfolk. Saul fought against the Edomites, and David made a complete conquest of their land. From Jehoram, one hundred and fifty years later, they successfully revolted. Reconquered again by Amaziah and Uzziah about 760 B. C., they soon regained their freedom and thereafter maintained it.
Between the two nations there was really nothing in common, except that they were both Semitic peoples. Like Jacob and Esau, they were natural antagonists. The relative supremacy of the Israelites for many generations gave a vindictiveness to the enmity of Edom which made it sleepless and bitter. The prophet Amos denounces the sister nation because “he kept his wrath forever.” This smouldering hatred, ever ready to break out into a blaze, had a unique opportunity in Judah’s day of shame, of which the Edomites seem to have taken full advantage. Lining the hill-tops round about Jerusalem, they jeered at the hapless captives marching by, cut down without mercy the fugitives which they met, and had their share in the plundering of the country. Moreover, they promptly pushed their way up into southern Judah, making it a part of their own land. The Edomites were the more aggressive because they felt perfectly secure from retribution. Their stronghold and capital, Petra, in the heart of the Mount Seir range, was a remarkable retreat. An irregular, well-watered valley, a mile or two in length, shut in by lofty cliffs, and approached from the desert by a long, narrow winding gorge, afforded a site which was not only capable of easy defence, but adapted, by the soft quality of the rocky cliffs, for the excavation of dwellings in the hill-side. Protected by such a stronghold, the sturdy warriors had long levied tribute on the caravan traffic with South Arabia and with Egypt, and had made themselves rich as well as independent. How soon these conditions were broken up by the irresistible advance of the Nabathaean Arabs cannot certainly be affirmed. The retribution which the prophet looked for was probably not long delayed. The prophet Obadiah, of whom otherwise we know nothing, gives expression to the outraged feelings of the exiled Hebrews, as they thought of Edom’s base and spiteful mockery of the helpless captives. Yet he uttered no mere invective, but takes the broader ground that Edom is but a type of the hostile influences now blocking Israel’s progress, but destined to give way before her. The book itself, although so brief, raises some interesting problems. Its opening verses are so clearly parallel to passages in Jeremiah 49:7-22 as to force the conclusion that they had a common origin. It is quite generally held that Obadiah, and perhaps Jeremiah too, make use of an earlier prophecy against Edom. Obadiah merely introduces his theme by repeating a part of this oracle. The geographical hints of the closing verses are held by many scholars to prove the late post-exilic date of the prophecy, but the spirited references to the scenes that followed Jerusalem’s capture seem to point to a period not very remote.
2. Edom’s Apparent Triumph to be Reversed (Obadiah 1:1-21)
Fellow-Israelites, let us not be disheartened and hopeless in this day of humiliation and anguish, but rather think of the coming day of recompense. Recall the prediction, so familiar to us all, regarding boastful Edom. Though still unfulfilled, Jehovah will yet make it a reality. The tribes aroused against Edom (Obadiah 1:1). A divine sanction is behind the summons, sent far and wide to the tribes of Arabia, to assemble for war against the haughty Edomites. O arrogant nation, trusting in the security of your rock-hewn city and vaunting yourself among your neighbors, your opponent is no weak commander, but Jehovah himself. Were you as strong as Babylon and as inaccessible, his power could reach you. Jehovah will humble its pride (Obadiah 1:2-4). He will not only frustrate your plans for future conquest but will make you a humble vassal of your tributaries.[22] [22]
Edom to be utterly spoiled (Obadiah 1:5-6). Sad enough would your plight be, if this were only a raid organized for plunder, for spoilers may be sated with booty. As when grape-gatherers strip a vineyard some clusters are overlooked, so your enemies might spare some treasures to you. What a spoliation, however, there will be! No part of your land will be exempt from search. And expelled by her allies (Obadiah 1:7). You shall be expelled, O Edom, by the very ones on whom you rely. Those with whom you have made a covenant shall treat you with mingled treachery and violence. They have been leading[23] you on to your own destruction. How obtuse you are not to perceive this!
Edom’s resources of no avail (Obadiah 1:8-9). In the day of divine retribution your sages, celebrated far and wide for their wisdom, shall be incapable of suggesting the least expedient for defence; while the hardy warriors, who have been your boast because of their courage and strength, shall become timid and irresolute, an easy prey to the sword of your enemies. Her treachery the cause (Obadiah 1:10-14). The curse of God will surely be upon you, O Edom, because of your outrageous and merciless violence and unseemly rejoicing over the misfortunes of your sister nation, Judah. You identified yourself with her enemies, seizing the opportunity for plunder and murder. Can Jehovah fail to exact in full the penalty due for such unfaithfulness ?
She shall receive a full meed of punishment (Obadiah 1:15-16). Jehovah’s day of recompense draws near for all the world. On that day, O Edom, your deeds will receive the punishment which is their due. As you, my countrymen who inhabit the mountain consecrated by my presence, have not escaped the cup of my chastising wrath, so shall all nations be obliged to drink of this cup, not, indeed, with a passing draught, as you have done, but continuously, until they have drained it to the dregs. Then shall they be utterly forgotten.
Israel will return and destroy Edom (Obadiah 1:17-18). The holy land of Judah, on the contrary, shall become the abode of peace, a true sanctuary for Jehovah’s people. When we return from this exile we shall repossess our ancient dominion. As a flame devours dry stubble, so speedily and completely shall we drive out of our homes and destroy the children of Edom. And obtain control of all Palestine (Obadiah 1:19-20). Then will cease the ignoble conditions which now prevail. No longer will our foes from every quarter be in possession of the soil of Judah. Those Jews who settle down in their old homes in the extreme south will add to their territory the land of Edom; those who inhabit the low mountain ranges west of Judah will rule all Philistia; the men of the hill country of Judah[24] will control the mountains and plains of Samaria and Galilee, while to Benjamin will fall the great and fertile grazing land east of Jordan. Thus shall Palestine again revert to its lawful owners. Wherever an Israelite may have been carried he shall find a happy home within the borders of the land. From time to time great national leaders shall be raised up, as in the days of old, to fight Jehovah’s battles, subdue all his enemies, and rule them in accordance with his will. At that time, when our foes have become our friends, all will be united in obedience and service to Jehovah.
[24] The Septuagint version thus interprets the indefinite word “they.”