Edom was the brother of Israel through Esau. The “land of Edom” (Gen. 36:16) was mountainous and called “the mountain of Seir.” It is a wild and rugged region, and its old capital was Bozrah (Isa 63:1). The early inhabitants of the land were Horites, who were destroyed by the Edomites (Deut. 2:12). At the time of the Exodus, they refused permission to the Israelites to pass through their land (Num. 20:14-21) and always maintained an attitude of hostility toward them. They were conquered by David (2 Sam 8:14) and afterwards by Amaziah (2 Ch. 25:11). But they regained their independence, and in later years, during the decline of the Jewish kingdom (2 Ki. 16:6), made war against Israel.
They took part with the Chaldeans when Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem, and afterwards, they invaded and held possession of the south of Palestine as far as Hebron. At length, however, Edom fell under the growing Babylonian power (Jer. 27:3-6). The present desolate condition of that land is a standing testimony to the inspiration of these prophecies. After an existence as a people for above seventeen hundred years, they have utterly disappeared, and their language even is forgotten forever. In Petra, “where kings kept their court, and where nobles assembled, there no man dwells; it is given by lot to birds, and beasts, and reptiles.” God has deeded all the land of Edom to be a wildlife refuge forever.
Jer 27:3-6 And send them to the king of Edom, and to the king of Moab, and to the king of the Ammonites, and to the king of Tyrus, and to the king of Zidon, by the hand of the messengers which come to Jerusalem unto Zedekiah king of Judah; And command them to say unto their masters, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say unto your masters; I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me. And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.
No student of prophecy will be satisfied till he learns the full story of Edom. Genesis 25 records the birth of Esau (Edom). Rebecca had two nations in her womb, then Jacob bought Esau's birthright—Esau’s land inheritance resulted in Esau becoming so embittered that he decided to kill Jacob. First, we see Esau in Sacred History. Then we trace his lineage to Mt. Seir, and his nation was known as Edom. A full list of the dukes and kings is recorded in Genesis. This nation always gave Israel trouble (2 Sam 8:14). After 7 centuries these nations existed side by side, the older made servant to the younger by David. The rivalry and cruelty of Edom were not able to keep his stubborn neck from the yoke. In the days of Jehoram, king of Judah, they revolted (2 Kings 8:2). Later Amaziah was back at war with Edom (2 Kings 14:7, 2 Ch. 25:12).
The Edomites were often subject to the Jews, and the Jews were never the servants of the Edomites. Thus the prophecy was fulfilled for 13 centuries. Take a trip up Mount Seir and you will see the ruins of thirty cities utterly laid waste and desolate all of these ruins lay within 3 days journey of the Red Sea. These cities and their ruins can be viewed on the internet. The Edomites have disappeared from the earth. They have not been heard from since the second century.
The land that they inhabited is a God-forsaken land that is occupied by animals. God gave this territory to the animals and tells us that their deed is perpetual. This territory is guarded by Arabs with a degree of hostility scarcely paralleled. They do not live there and allow no one else to. Archeologists write about the numerous tombs, ancient sepulchers, mausoleums, fragments of columns, and ruins of palaces. Edom is nothing more than a graveyard inhabited by snakes, scorpions, and lions.
Esau had married two heathen wives and a daughter of Ishmael. He hated God and the Jewish religion. He sold his birthright and was a profane man. He went down the path of superstition and wickedness. They lived by kidnapping and plunder. Their territory was called the border of wickedness.
“From this remote past the prophecy hung over him. And now his capital city rises up to testify to the truth of heaven. A city of rock, its temples, theaters, palaces, triumphal arches, dwelling houses, aqueducts, all hewn out of solid rock, presenting one of the greatest lessons in the whole world. A vast amphitheater surrounded by mountains on all sides, in their native grandeur, lifting their summits five or six hundred feet high, the city of rock, the capital of Edom, (Petra) lies in desolation. The tombs and mausoleums in number and greatness testify to the fact that long ago kings ruled in that land. Where are they now? Shall we believe Moses and the prophets, when we see a city as imperishable as the rock-ribbed hills, her monuments of greatness forsaken, not a foot of man to tread her streets, worship in her temples, visit her theaters or live in her palaces? This city so singular, so remote in origin, so rich in historical associations, as beautiful in desolation, stands forth as a colossal monument to the veracity of the prophets of God.” (The Prophecies Unveiled by A.M. Morris P.26, 27. 1914)
Testimony of Scriptures
Gen 25:19-33 outlines the birth of Esau and Jacob, the struggle within Rebekah's womb, and the selling of the birthright. Read also: Heb 12:14-17; Mal 1:2-5; Oba 1:1-17; Eze 35:1-15; Jer 49:14-21; Isa 34:10-17; Psa 83:1-8
Unveiling the Messiah's Vengeance and Israel's Prayer for Mercy
Isaiah 63:1
Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
Commentary: See my commentary on Amos 1:11 for a description of Edom. Edom was Esau, who was a brother of Jacob, who was Israel (Predicted in Gen. 27:40). God will not tolerate any improper motive against his people. This one who comes from Edom is our Messiah—his garments are dyed red with blood. He is announcing vindication for he marched in the fullness of his strength. Bozrah was the chief town of Edom.
Cross References
- Isa 34:5-6: For my sword shall be bathed in heaven: behold, it shall come down upon Idumea...
- Psa 137:7: Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem...
- Amo 1:12: But I will send a fire upon Teman, which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah.
Isaiah 63:2
Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy garments like him that treadeth in the winefat?
Commentary: His clothes looked like he had been in a wine press tromping on the grapes—the winepress is a symbol of a blood battle.
Cross References
- Isa 25:10: For in this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab shall be trodden down under him...
- Lam 1:15: The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me...
Isaiah 63:3
I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
Commentary: Jesus says that he had to tread the winepress alone for no man helped him. No nation had made war with Edom for its wrong doing. The Messiah says he will tread them in his fury and they will be trod down in his rage. His garment was stained with Edom’s blood.
Cross References
- Mal 4:3: And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet...
- Rev 19:13-15: (Read)
Isaiah 63:4
For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.
Commentary: The clock had run down—the Messiah had waited long enough—vengeance was mine saith the LORD.
Cross References
- Isa 34:8: For it is the day of the LORD'S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.
Isaiah 63:5
And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.
Commentary: I looked, amazed and astonished that no one had meted out vengeance, so I took on the job alone.
Cross References
- Isa 59:16-18: And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him...
Isaiah 63:6
And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.
Commentary: The Messiah crushed Edom in his fury—today Edom is a wasteland and there are no Edomites.
Cross References
- Psa 60:3: Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.
- Isa 51:21-23: Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine...
Isaiah 63:7
I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.
Commentary: The loving kindness of the LORD must never be forgotten or neglected to be taught. We must reflect upon what he has done for us.
Cross References
- Zec 9:17: For how great is his goodness, and how great is his beauty...
- Neh 9:19-21: (Read)
Isaiah 63:8
For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.
Commentary: God had high expectations for his people—“surely they are my people, children that will not lie.” So he became their savior.
Cross References
- Exo 3:7: And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt...
- Psa 78:36: Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.
Isaiah 63:9
In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.
Commentary: He rescued them from Egypt and carried them along and put up with them for a long, long time.
Cross References
- Jdg 10:16: And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.
- Act 7:34-35: I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt...
Isaiah 63:10
But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.
Commentary: They turned on him and he turned on them and he poured out his fury on them and burnt their strongholds and destroyed their palaces.
Cross References
- Eze 6:9: And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives...
- Act 7:51: Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost...
- Lam 2:4-5: He hath bent his bow like an enemy...
Isaiah 63:11
Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him?
Commentary: They remembered the story of the exodus and now they are saying “What happened to his Holy Spirit?”
Cross References
- Num 11:17: And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee...
- Num 11:25: And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him...
Isaiah 63:12
That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?
Commentary: What happened to this God who took Moses by the hand and divided the water and made himself an everlasting name?
Cross References
- Lev 26:40-45: If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers...
Isaiah 63:13
That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?
Commentary: Where is he who accomplished the Red Sea crossing?
Cross References
- Psa 106:9: He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.
Isaiah 63:14
As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name.
Commentary: What has happened to this God that led Moses and Israel through the deep sea like sure-footed horses running in the wild?
Cross References
- Hab 3:15: Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, through the heap of great waters.
Isaiah 63:15
Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?
Commentary: O LORD, look down from the window of your heavenly palace, and tell us what ever happened to your mercy—your love for us—your compassion. Where are they now?
Cross References
- Psa 80:14: Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven...
- Psa 102:19: For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary...
- Hos 11:8: How shall I give thee up, Ephraim?
Isaiah 63:16
Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.
Commentary: We still recognize thee as our Father even if Abraham and Jacob disown us.
Cross References
- Isa 64:8: But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter...
- Isa 43:14-15: Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel...
Isaiah 63:17
O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.
Commentary: Why did you let us wander so far away? Why did you harden our hearts? O God, please return to us because we need you so.
Cross References
- Eze 14:7-9: For every one of the house of Israel... which separateth himself from me...
- Isa 6:10; Deu 2:30: (Read)
Isaiah 63:18
The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary.
Commentary: This holy house that we possessed for a short time—thy temple—the heathen have chopped its paneling into kindling and burnt it to the ground.
Cross References
- Isa 64:11-12: Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned up with fire...
Isaiah 63:19
We are thine: thou never barest rule over them; they were not called by thy name.
Commentary: We are your people—the ones that you ruled over—it’s been a long time since you ruled over us.
Cross References
- Psa 79:6: Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee...
- Isa 65:1: I am sought of them that asked not for me...
- Jer 10:25: Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not...