Untitled Sermon (18)
2 (21:11–12) Edom, Judgment of, Prophecy Concerning—Judgment, of Edom, Prophecy Concerning—Edom, Needs of, to Repent: Edom was also about to face the judgment of God. Seir is another name for Edom, while Dumah is a symbolic name for it. Dumah means silence, which is what hangs over a city that has been completely destroyed. Thus, Isaiah’s prophecy has to do with the destruction of Edom.
In the middle of a dark night a voice penetrated the silence, crying out to a watchman on the wall of Edom. The voice wanted to know how much longer it would be dark, for that was how much longer Edom would have to suffer under Assyrian oppression. Note that the voice cried out twice, emphasizing the deep distress of the Edomites who were desperate for deliverance. Sadly, the watchman offered the Edomites little hope. Although morning (deliverance from Assyria) was coming, there would soon be another night, a new conqueror, lying right over the horizon. Most likely this referred to Babylon.
Edom’s only hope in the period between the two darknesses (conquerors) was to repent and turn to the LORD. They could ask repeatedly how much longer the darkness would last, but the answer would always be the same. They did not need to know when the judgment would fall; they needed to repent. If they repented, they could count on the LORD’s presence to help them through whatever trial came.
OUTLINE
SCRIPTURE
2. God’s judgment of Edom foretold: A need to repent
a. Edom’s cry to the watchman: How much longer would it be dark, would they be oppressed?
11 The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?
b. Edom’s doom: Deliverance was coming, but also another darkness (oppression)
c. Edom’s only hope: Repentance, asking & turning to the LORD
12 The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.
Thought 1. The LORD is the only hope for any of us to escape judgment. Instead of ignoring, denying, or defying Him, we should turn away from sin and ask Him to accept us in Christ. Only then will we escape the terrifying judgment of God. Christ has paid the penalty for our sins, which is death, hell, and eternal separation from God. When Christ paid the ransom for our souls, He set us free from the judgment to come. Through Him we are made acceptable to the LORD. Thus, our great need is to repent, to turn away from our sins and to the LORD.
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Lu. 13:3).
“Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee” (Ac. 8:22).
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chr. 7:14).
“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Is. 55:7).
“And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not; Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh. And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim. Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee” (Je. 7:13–16).
“But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die” (Eze. 18:21).
“Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips” (Ho. 14:2).