The Edomites were descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob (Ge 25:19–34). Esau and Jacob, the ancestor of the Israelites, were rivals and their descendants continued to compete as nations. Edom occupied the mountainous region southeast of the Dead Sea (see Map 7 at the back of this Bible). See Why did Israel call Edom its brother? (Nu 20:14).
What kind of envoy would God send to recruit armies against Edom? (v. 1)
It is unclear whether this special messenger was human or angelic. The result, however, was the same: Edom became involved in a major war.
Why would people live among the rocks? (v. 3)
Edom was famous for its capital, Petra, a city of caves high in a solid rock cliff. Though living among the rocks had its disadvantages, it also had its benefits. The rocks were considered a place of safety from attack.
Why mention Esau and Teman? (vv. 6, 9)
Esau was the father of the nation of Edom; Teman was an Edomite city famous for its wise men.
Edom’s unnamed allies. In a culture in which hospitality and eating together were considered basic virtues, to have those who eat your bread turn against you was a graphic picture of the worst kind of betrayal. God said so-called friends of the Edomites would turn on them and exploit them, just as the Edomites had done to the people of Judah.
Why was God so angry with Edom? (vv. 10–11)
The Edomites were guilty of gross cruelty against God’s people. They didn’t just stand by passively as Judah was conquered; they looted the kingdom and even captured Judah’s fleeing citizens and returned them to the Babylonian army. In addition to these crimes, Edom was guilty of arrogance, boasting against God himself. God’s wrath came as a righteous response to the nation’s blatant defiance (Eze 35:1–15).
Why was Edom so cruel to Israel? (v. 12)
The enmity between Edom and Israel went all the way back to Jacob’s relationship with his twin brother, Esau (Ge 25:19–34).
What is the day of the LORD? (v. 15)
This refers to the time of God’s judgment. See the article What is the day of the LORD? (Isa 13:6).
What does it mean that the Edomites drank on [God’s] holy hill? (v. 16)
The Edomites had apparently joined the drunken orgies of the Babylonians as they celebrated the destruction of the temple on Mount Zion. Now the Edomites and others that had desecrated God’s holy place would have to drink a very different beverage—the full cup of God’s wrath. In fact, they would drink themselves into oblivion and disappear as a nation; it would be as if they had never existed.
When were these prophecies against Edom fulfilled? (vv. 18–20)
Arab invaders began driving the Edomites from their mountain strongholds as early as 500 BC. By the first century AD, Edom no longer existed as a nation. In Jesus’ day, the family of King Herod was recognized as being of Edomite descent. But following the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70, Edomites totally disappeared from history.
Who are the deliverers? (v. 21)
They represent future leaders who would restore God’s people as a nation. Edom would vanish and Judah would rise from the ashes, demonstrating God’s faithfulness to his people. Some think this may allude to the Messiah who one day would deliver his people from sin.