Edom was more important as a symbol than as an actual enemy. That's not to diminish the evil the Edomites actually did. Their founder was a man completely lacking in spiritual sense, trading his covenant birthright for a meal. The nation refused Israel passage on the way to Canaan, their own cousins. All during the years of Israel's time in Canaan, the only time they failed to conduct raids on Israel was when Israel conquered them, demanded tribute, and garrisoned troops in Edomite cities. Isaiah saw prophetically, at the very end, when Babylon invaded and laid siege to Jerusalem, Edom would cut off their escape and turn them over to the Babylonians, those they did not sell into slavery. But it's more important to realize they symbolize here the epitome of fallen mankind: Worldly wise, perhaps, but utterly foolish about eternal things.
First, Isaiah draws a picture of the end of the world. All nations will be gathered, summoned as troops to battle. Except there would be no battle, for God cannot be fought. Instead, it will be a horrific scene of judgment. They would be wiped out in one quick act. Not only the earth, the angelic hosts will be dismissed, the heavens would be dissolved, rolled back and all things come to an end. Time itself will be shattered, and eternity will begin, with almost nothing we might recognize.
God's Living Word, like a mighty war sword soaked in blood, will be wielded against all the living. Isaiah runs out of images seeking to depict a bloodbath like no other. In the midst of this, Isaiah names Edom as the symbol of the sin God would judge. Should we take this literally, we would be factually correct, for Edom, after helping Babylon capture Judah, was promptly destroyed. Edom almost disappeared as a nation. However, seeing only that literal end of a single nation would miss the point. Edom symbolizes all that's wrong with the human race. They were strong only when God's people disobeyed His Law. So it is when we fail to walk in His ways, we are "Edomized" -- made like Esau who catered to the flesh.
God must judge this hedonism, as with all sins, by the death of His Son Jesus. It was a messy death as we look back upon it. What God finally does in the end will be even messier, but there is no language to convey it. Thus, Isaiah warns us in parabolic language. Quite literally the smoke rose above Edomite cities for days, and even now the only thing living in the ruins are wild animals likely to attack humans and domesticated animals. The grassy fields are no more, only desert scrub vegetation, if that. Instead of safe refuge from harm, the Edomite ruins have become the perfect haven for families of wild creatures. This is the appointed end of that place, with it's people so nearly decimated they could no longer live in that harsh land.
When sin has had its way in a human life, there isn't much left.
Return to Isaiah Index
[<-- Previous]
[Next -->]
By Ed Hurst
19 February 2009
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: People of honor need no copyright laws; they are only too happy to give credit where credit is due. Others will ignore copyright laws whenever they please. If you are of the latter, please note what Moses said about dishonorable behavior -- "be sure your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23)