Jeremiah 49:7-13

VI. AN ORACLE AGAINST EDOM Jeremiah 49:7-22

Beyond the brook Zered, the southern boundary of Moab, lay Edom. Edom was an exceedingly mountainous country rich in copper and iron ore. Because of its mineral wealth and because a main north-south trade route, the King's Highway, passed through it, Edom was under constant threat of attack from surrounding nations. From the time of David the Israelites were able to dominate Edom except for a few brief periods of independence. Esau's bitter hatred of his brother Jacob was inherited by his descendants, the Edomites. While history records that Jacob and Esau were reconciled (Genesis 33:1-16), the descendants of these two patriarchs remained implacable foes throughout most of their history.

A. The Inescapable Calamity Jeremiah 49:7-13

TRANSLATION

(7) Concerning Edom. This said the LORD of hosts:
Is there no longer wisdom in Teman? has counsel perished from the prudent ones? has their wisdom disappeared? (8) Flee! Turn! Go down deep to dwell, O inhabitant of Dedan; for I will bring the destruction of Esau upon him, the time of his punishment. (9) If grape-gatherers come to you they will not leave grapes. If thieves in the night, they will destroy until they have sufficient. (10) But I have stripped Esau, uncovered his hiding places and he shall not be able to hide himself. His seed and his brethren are destroyed; and he is no more. (11) Forsake your orphans! I will keep them alive! Let your widows trust in Me! (12) For thus says the LORD: Behold, if those whose judgment was not to drink the cup shall surely drink, shall you get off scot-free? You will not be exempt, but will certainly have to drink. (13) For I have sworn by Myself (oracle of the LORD) that Bozrah shall be desolation, reproach, waste, and curse; and all her cities shall be eternal desolations.

COMMENTS

The oracle against Edom begins with a series of rhetorical questions designed to mock the wisdom for which that land was renown. The calamity comes with such suddenness upon Edom that the professional wisemen, counselors, and statesmen are incapable of offering any helpful advice. Teman is a city in the northern part of Edom. Human wisdom is certainly inadequate in the face of the judgment of the living God. The calamity draws near. Jeremiah calls on the neighboring Dedanites who inhabited the region south of Edom. These merchant people apparently carried on extensive trade with Edom and they are here urged to avoid all contact with Edom lest they be caught up in the calamity which was about to befall that nation. Dwell deep probably means to withdraw deep into the desert regions where they would be safe from the approaching destruction. It is the time of Edom's judgment; the Lord will bring calamity upon Edom (Jeremiah 49:8).

The complete devastation of Edom is indicated by two powerful figures of speech. The enemy like grape gatherers will leave no gleanings in the land. Like thieves they will unsparingly plunder the land until they have their fill (Jeremiah 49:9).[394] The Lord Himself will lay Esau (Edom) bare revealing to the enemy the secret retreats and hiding places thus insuring that all the treasures of the land will be plundered. The inhabitants of Edom will be able to find no safe retreat. The descendants of Edom, those who shared his land and those who lived around about his land, would all suffer in the coming calamity. Most important, Edom himself is not i.e., would cease to exist as a nation (Jeremiah 49:10). All the warriors of Edom shall be cut off in the conflict leaving their wives and children as helpless widows and orphans. Yet the gracious God of Israel will care for these helpless ones if they but look to Him for protection. What a beautiful promise here in the midst of ominous threats and dreadful judgments.

[394] There is no real reason Why Jeremiah 49:9 should be rendered in English as an interrogative as in KJV and ASV. The ASV marginal reading is superior.

Edom must drink of the cup of God's wrath. The calamity is inescapable. After all, if the chosen people of God shall not escape His judgment, how could Edom? (Jeremiah 49:12). Since Israel must suffer, Edom cannot be unpunished. Furthermore, God has taken an oath that Bozrah, the chief city of northern Edom, and the other cities of the land shall become perpetual desolations (Jeremiah 49:13).