The Judgment of Edom in Three Phases
Obadiah focuses on the judgment of Edom, who will be one of the confederates in the coalition led by the King of the North (Psa. 83). Edom had a particular hatred for Israel and Obadiah’s prophecy shows the end of those who take such a position against God’s chosen people. He shows Edom’s judgment as falling in three stages, ending with their total annihilation from the face of the earth, after which the remnant of Israel will take their true, God-given inheritance (“their possessions”), which includes the land of Edom.
The FIRST Stage of Judgment on Edom
Vss.1-14
The first 14 verses were historically fulfilled in the time of Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian invasion. He gathered a large coalition of armies from many nations, of which Edom had a part (Jer. 34:1; 2 Kings 24:2). After he passed through the land of Israel and took Jerusalem (vss. 11-12), he deceived Edom and some of his other confederates (vs. 7) and entered into their countries and plundered them. The first nine verses give an account of this treachery.
Verse 1 is a call through the ranks of this enormous confederacy under Nebuchadnezzar to betray the land of Edom—“let us rise up against her in battle.” Verse 2 gives the result—they are “left small” in numbers. Verses 3-4 tell us the reason why, from God’s perspective; it was their “pride.” Verses 5-9 show who will execute the judgment—“all the men of thy confederacy.” In verses 10-14, Edom’s guilt is exposed; they helped in the destruction of the Jews and Jerusalem when they should have been a help to Israel their “brother.”
Although this happened in the time of Nebuchadnezzar, it has significance prophetically; it points to the time in prophecy when the King of the North will invade the land of Israel (Dan. 11:40-42). The Arab confederacy under the King of the North will practice the same kind of treachery in the future.
Thus, Edom’s first blow will be when the King of the North and his Arab confederacy sweep through the land of Israel during the “Consumption.” As the book of Amos shows (chaps. 1-2), a number of nations that have situated themselves on Israel’s promised land will come under judgment at this time on account of the general mayhem that will occur. The “Consumption” will be upon “the whole land” (Isa. 28:22), and these nations will be devastated. This will only be a partial destruction of Edom; “the chief” of the people (the upper class) will “escape” (Dan. 11:41).
The SECOND Stage of Judgment on Edom
Vss. 15-16
Vss. 15-16—Edom’s second blow will be more severe. After the Lord has returned and restored the remnant of Israel, He will personally “roar out of Zion” (Joel 3:16) to tread the Winepress judgment “upon all the heathen [nations].” This is a reference to Gog’s confederacy (Russia) which will use the land of Edom as the place to assemble their armies in view of their attack on restored Israel. The judgment of the Lord on these nations gathered in Edom will be so terrible that land of Edom will be permanently destroyed (Isa. 34:1-8; 63:1-6; Hab. 3:3-16).
The THIRD Stage of Judgment on Edom
Vss. 17-21
Vss. 17-21—Edom’s final blow will come at the hands of those they have so bitterly hated—Israel. After the Lord treads the Winepress in Edom, He will lead out the armies of newly restored Israel in a mighty conquest to take their full inheritance as promised to Abraham (Isa. 11:14; Jer. 51:20-23; Mic. 4:13; 5:5-8; Psa. 108:7; 118:1-12). At that time, Israel will be given the opportunity to extinguish any remaining Edomites until every last one will be cut off from the earth. “There shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau” (vs. 18).