Violence Against Jacob
Esau hated his brother Jacob. This violence escalated when Jacob stole the birthright which belonged to Esau. These few verses give us a glimpse of the violence between Edom and Israel.
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10. For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.
“The Edomites were guilty of at least four abominable sins, the first of which was using violence against their brothers the Jews (vv. 10-11).” (Wiersbe, Warren W, The Bible Exposition Commentary Old Testament Wisdom and Poetry [Colorado Springs: David C Cook, 2004], 374)
“The kinship between Jacob and Esau made Edom’s violence against Judah even more reprehensible.” (Smith, Billy K, The New American Commentary, Volume 19B, Amos Obadiah Jonah: [Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995] 190)
11. In the day that thou stoodest on the other side
The Edomites were standing by watching as Jerusalem fell and were carried off to Babylon.
The Edomites were rooting for the Babylonians. Amos 1:11
Sins of Edom
12-14 The Edomites had a bad attitude toward Judah.
- They celebrated when Judah became a stranger. (v. 12)
- They rejoiced in the day of their destruction. (v. 12)
- The Edomites spoke proudly in the day of distress. (v. 12)
- They entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity. (v. 13)
- “Not only did they join with the enemy against Israel, but they actually moved in to loot and plunder after the enemy had taken Israel away into captivity.” (McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume III: [Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983], 732)
- Thou shouldest not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity. (v. 13)
- Nor have laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity – This is looting (v. 13)
- Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape. (v. 14)
- “The Edomites also stood at the forks in the roads, ready to capture the fugitives who were trying to escape; and they turned them over to the enemy to be imprisoned or slain. (Wiersbe, 374)
- Neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress. (v14)
“For a historical summary of later mistreatment of Judah by Edom and the subsequent historical judgment, see notes on Ezekiel 25:12-14; 35:15.” (MacArthur, John, The MacArthur Bible Commentary [Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2005], 1004)
Reference
In this article Scripture quotations taken from KJV.
McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume III: Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983
MacArthur, John, The MacArthur Bible Commentary Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2005
Smith, Billy K, The New American Commentary, Volume 19B, Amos Obadiah Jonah: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995
Wiersbe, Warren W, The Bible Exposition Commentary Old Testament Wisdom and Poetry Colorado Springs: David C Cook, 2004
