A sin that a brother commits against his brother

In verses 1-9, it was prophesied that a severe judgment would come upon Edom. In today’s passage, the reasons for the judgment are listed. (1) In God’s eyes, Edom’s afflicting Israel is a sin that a brother commits against his brother, as it says, “Because of violence to your brother Jacob.” Moreover, in this case, they are twin brothers. (2) Edom’s hostility toward Israel is already recorded in Numbers 14. The people of Israel who came out of Egypt made plans to pass through the land of Edom on their way to the Promised Land, but Edom did not approve and drove the people of Israel back. (3) Judgment against Edom is also prophesied in Ezekiel 35:1-5. “Since you have had everlasting hostility and have turned over the sons of Israel to the power of the sword at the time of their disaster, at the time of the punishment of the end” (v 5).

The six sins

Six specific sins of Edom are listed. (1) Because of the violence done to Jacob (Israel), their own brother, they will be cut off forever (v 10). (2) On the day that foreigners (the Philistines and the Arabs) plundered Jerusalem, they did not try to help Jacob; instead, they stood aloof as though they were companions of the foreigners, pretending not to know (v 11). (3) On top of that, they rejoiced over the destruction of the sons of Judah (the destruction of Jacob) (v 12). (4) Furthermore, after the foreigners had left, they entered Jerusalem and plundered what remained (v 13). (5) They stood at the crossroads to cut down those who were trying to escape and blocked their way (v 14). (6) They captured those who were trying to flee and handed them over as captives to the Philistines and the Arabs. Edom’s sin was doubly heavy. They opposed Israel, the covenant people. And this was also a sin against a brother. God promised Abraham, “And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Gen. 12:3). This promise is still valid today. Blessed are those who understand this and pray blessings for Israel.