Topical Bible: Edomites: Protected by Divine Command from Desolation by the Israelites

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The Edomites, descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob, hold a significant place in biblical history. Their territory, Edom, was located to the southeast of Israel, in the region stretching from the Dead Sea to the Gulf of Aqaba. The relationship between the Israelites and the Edomites is complex, marked by both kinship and conflict.

Ancestral Connection

The Edomites trace their lineage to Esau, the elder son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the twin brother of Jacob (Genesis 25:24-26). Esau, also known as Edom, sold his birthright to Jacob for a meal, leading to a longstanding rivalry between their descendants (Genesis 25:29-34). Despite this familial tension, the Israelites were commanded to respect the Edomites due to their shared ancestry.

Divine Command for Protection

During the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, God issued specific instructions regarding their interaction with the Edomites. In Deuteronomy 2:4-5 , the Lord commanded Moses: "And give the people these orders: 'You are about to pass through the territory of your brothers the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. They will be afraid of you, so be very careful. Do not provoke them, for I will not give you any of their land, not even a foot of it, because I have given Esau the hill country of Seir as his own.'"

This divine directive underscores the importance of respecting the territorial rights of the Edomites, as their land was a divine allotment to Esau. The Israelites were instructed not to engage in conflict with them or to claim their land, highlighting a divine protection over Edom during this period.

Historical Interactions

Despite the divine command for protection, the relationship between Israel and Edom was fraught with tension and conflict throughout history. The Edomites refused passage to the Israelites during their exodus (Numbers 20:14-21), leading to hostilities in later years. King David eventually subdued Edom, and it became a vassal state under Israelite control (2 Samuel 8:13-14).

However, the prophetic literature often speaks of Edom's eventual judgment due to their actions against Israel. Obadiah, in particular, prophesies the downfall of Edom for their violence against their brother Jacob (Obadiah 1:10-14).

Theological Significance

The divine command to protect Edom during the Israelites' journey reflects a broader biblical theme of respecting God's sovereign decisions regarding nations and their territories. It serves as a reminder of the familial bonds between Israel and Edom, despite their historical enmity. The protection of Edom by divine command illustrates God's faithfulness to His promises and His justice in dealing with nations according to His purposes.

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Deuteronomy 2:4-6
And command you the people, saying, You are to pass through the coast of your brothers the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take you good heed to yourselves therefore:
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The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... Elam was protected along the course of the Tigris and ... had known how to build for
his divine master, that ... which Ammizadugga, the king, by supreme command of Sha ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... Amaziah, on his side, had routed the Edomites in the ... authority as portents indicative
of the divine wrath began to ... and forest by which it was protected on the ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... in that case would have been Edomites and Midianites ... his servants to leave him with
the divine messenger in his ... who found themselves no longer protected by his ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm