Jeremiah 49:14-22. Today’s reading continues the message to Edom (read yesterday’s post). Yesterday we saw that Edom was going to be punished by God for their attitudes and actions. We were not specifically told what they had done but it was probably related to trusting in their own wisdom about life. We also saw that God’s rules apply to everyone, not just the Israelites or those who think God has given them enough information. In reality we all have enough information to turn toward God and God is loving and faithful and will respond to that and help us return to him in the proper way.

In today’s reading Jeremiah passes on a message directly to the people of Edom. In verse 14 we see that the message is from the LORD (notice the all capitals, at least in most English translations). Some translations might have Jehovah or Yahweh in place of LORD that is because that is what is written there in the Hebrew (the original language that most of the Old Testament was written in) version of the verse. Hebrew documents of that day were written in columns side by side on scrolls (usually animal skins). To save space no spaces were put between words and no vowels were put in either. The four Hebrew letters that are translated LORD or Jehovah or Yahweh are approximately the same as the English letters Y-H-W-H. Those four letters together make up the personal name that God gave to Moses when Moses asked for a name to tell the Israelite people (Exodus 3:1-14 where the letters are translated “I AM”, Hebrew experts say that the word is a form of the verb “to be”).   The Jewish people were very serious about not saying this name out loud and when reading a verse with the name in it would substitute the Hebrew word “adoni” which translates into English as “master” or “lord”. Since the Jewish people would not say the name, and without vowels, it is difficult for modern translators to know how pronounce and translate the name. Jehovah and Yahweh are two of their guesses. Some English translations choose to follow the example of the Jewish people and use the word “lord” instead (or occasionally god aslo in all capitals). To show English readers that it is a substitution for YHWH they use all capitals (they also did this using the actual English verb “I AM” in many English translation of Exodus 3). In today’s reading it is important to notice that Jeremiah’s message is from Yahweh or Jehovah or however you want to pronounce it and not from some other god. There needs to be no confusion about what “god” this message is from.

I often wonder about using the word “Allah” as a substitution for “God” in Arabic. Now I know that the Hebrew word that we translate “god” or “God” is “elohim” and that in English that “god” can mean different things to different people, I am told that that is the way it is with “allah” in Arabic. I wonder though if the word has become so connected with Islamic ideas or teachings that we need to be more clear when we talk to someone who is a Muslim. You might notice that sometimes in these posts that I add a note explaining that “God” or “Yahweh” is the “one true God” and when I am talking about a so called “god” that I will often explain that it is a false “god”. I also use quotes and small “g” to help explain what I mean. It is important to remember that there is only one real God, the one who created the universe, his name is Yahweh (or Jehovah) and he is most fully and accurately described in the Bible. All of creation is his “kingdom” and we are all subject to his rules. The Eodomite and the rest of us need to understand that.

In verse 14 we see that Yahweh sent a representative to several nations, calling them to attack Edom. The word used for the messenger is an interesting Hebrew word that has the idea of tying up something. It is also used for a hinge, like on a door. Hinges keep a door in place (even when it is moving) and control how it moves. These messengers, and their message, were completely under God’s control. The nations that the messages went to probably didn’t have much choice about attacking Edom although we know from our reading in Isaiah, and even here in Jeremiah, that these nations had at least some choice in how they acted and would be accountable for how they acted when they responded to God’s orders (In Isaiah the Assyrian army would be punished for going too far during their invasions (Isaiah 10:5,12) and earlier in Jeremiah we saw that Babylon was being used by God to punish the people of Judah but would eventually be punished for their own disrespect for God too (Jeremiah 25:12)).

In verses 15-16 we see a little bit more of what the Edomites had done wrong. In verse 15 we are told that they had “terrorized” people, this probably related to making a living by raiding caravans. We also see that they were “arrogant” that word means that they thought that they were strong and powerful and in control; we might say “prideful” or “puffed up”. That is probably why verse 15 tells us that part of their punishment would be to make them “small among the nations”, that is probably referring to their power and influence rather than their physical size. As I mentioned yesterday the Edomites mostly submitted to the Assyrian and Babylonian rule in the area. During the long period of time during which the Israelites and Edomites both lived in the area (1400-400+ BC) occasionally Israel ruled over the Edomites but for the most part they were independent of Israelite control, and usually hostile. Because they assisted Nebucahdnezzar in the siege of Jerusalem they were given land south of Jerusalem between their traditional territory and the Mediterranean Sea. Shortly after that time a group of Arabs known as Nabatheans pushed north from the Arabian Peninsula (south-east of Israel and Edom) and conquered much of the land east of the Jordan River belonging to Moab and Edom. Edom was thus pushed out of their traditional land. The Jewish people eventually returned from exile in Babylon and reestablished their culture in and around Jerusalem but were under foreign control, first by the Persians, then by the Greeks and eventually by the Romans. During this time the Edomites were forced to live by Jewish standards and eventually were absorbed into the society. By the time of Jesus they no longer existed as a distinct nation, Edom was no more.

In verse 16 we see part of the reason for their pride or arrogance. As I said yesterday Edom lived along the major caravan route from Egypt to the north. In their area it passed through a long valley between two parallel mountain ranges. On the east was a rather high range that formed a plateau on top (sort of like table). The eastern side sloped down to the high desert of the Arabian Peninsula but the western side of this range formed a sharp cliff with the valley, this cliff was cut by deep canyons back into the range. In one of these canyons was the capital of Edom, Sela or Petra. The town was carved out of solid rock like a cave or like the cliff dwellings of the pueblo Indians in the Southwestern United States. The city of Petra appears in the Indiana Jones movie “The Last Crusade”. Their hidden dwellings gave the Edomites a false sense of protection or security. Although the invasion by the Nabatheans pushed them out of the hills into the open country south of Jerusalem it would take a couple of hundred years and the influence of many nations for the Edomites to completely disappear. Ultimately it was Yahweh who was behind it all as we see in verse 16.

According to verses 17-18 the ruins of the Edomite civilization would create fear in all who passed by. Many would wonder what possibly could have destroyed such a secure society. Verse 18 hints at the answer. Sodom and Gomorrah were two cities in the Dead Sea valley near the southern end of the Dead Sea, not too far north of the territory of the Edomites. In Genesis 19 we learn that the once fertile area was destroyed, completely burned up, because the inhabitants of those cities and their neighbors had completely abandon God, showing disrespect for his laws. Edom too was disrespectful to God feeling that they were all they needed to live and have a good secure life. Today Edom’s territory is basically uninhabited just like the burned out territory near where Sodam and Gomorrah had existed (the site of those cities is now under water at the south end of the Dead Sea but the ruins were still above water in Jeremiah’s day).

In verse 19 God declares that it was ultimately he who overthrew Edom, “like a lion pouncing from the bushes”. The “who is chosen” refers to the actual nation (or nations) or person that overthrew the Edomites. In verse 22 the conqueror is compared to an eagle swooping down on it’s prey from high in the sky. Because of this comparison many think it was Babylon who is symbolized as an eagle. But verse 14 seems to indict that more than one nation was used in the conquest. As we have seen the downfall of Edom was spread over several centuries and involved more than one nation. In verse 19 God asks, “Who is the shepherd who can defend against me (the lion)?” In addition to his power God also reminds them of his absolute right or control. No one can bring God into court and win, the laws are his and he never breaks them.

In verse 20 God then confirms that Edom will be destroyed and removed from their land. In verse 21 we see that this puffed up self assured nations would have a worldwide influence, it would not be for their honor though, but for Gods. I think in light of verses 19-21 that the eagle in verse 22 is probably God not Babylon. The destruction of Edom was a centuries long campaign by God against human pride. God used many nations to accomplish his goal and God alone should get the credit.

Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed in one morning. Some believe that the “fire and brimstone” was a massive explosion of tar and oil that was on/under the ground in the area. Even if it was a “natural” explosion God controlled the timing of the event, and Lot’s wife being transformed into a statue of salt definitely was a non-natural event. When God uses nature to accomplish his purposes it is still amazing and more than just a coincidence. When God used many nations over a few centuries to deal with Edom it is equally amazing. Whether over night or over centuries God is in control. What is even more amazing is his patience. He clearly has the knowledge, power, reason, and right to destroy every human being in an instance (except for the fact that Jesus was punished for our misdeeds (Isaiah 53:5) so in a sense we have been destroyed already (see also Galatians 2:20)) but he doesn’t. According to one of Jesus’ closest followers, Peter, God isn’t slow about his promises to deal with evil in the world he is patient toward us and is waiting for people to return to him (2 Peter 3:9-10).

We need to be careful about getting thinking tat we are all there is. We need to be careful about thinking we can make it in life and after on our own. We especially need to see the value that God puts on human lives and show care and respect for others. The Edomites though only about themselves and thought it was OK to make a living by stealing from others. One of the main rules God gave to the Israelites when they left Egypt and headed for the land promised to their ancestor Abraham was “do not steal”. They were also told not to “covet” (want something that belonged to some one else). The supposedly stole because they needed to live but there was agriculture in their hills and other people living in similar areas found ways to survive without raiding passing caravans. Living for God can be difficult and involve suffering but God shows in the Bible that he is concerned with our needs. He will not abandon us if we put our lives in his hands. It is clear from the story of the Edomites and from history that trusting in our own power and wisdom will eventually lead to destruction. We need to trust God and do it his way.

God thank you for showing us the truth about life. Thank you for making life work, it’s not random. Thank you for promising to be with us (Psalm 23), care for us and guide us. Thank you for being patient and for paying the price for my disobedient and rebellious actions. Help me trust in you and not my own wisdom. Guide me today along a path that will speak to the nations about your love.