Unneighborly Edomites

Intro

Main Idea: Take Care How You Treat Others

Written in the Babylonian exile. Introducing Edomites. Descendants of Esau. They would track down fleeing Israelites. Not God’s children, but relatives.

Section #1: Edomites are called out (10-14)

Exp. Edomites would chase them down. Verse 10. Because of the violence. Shame shall cover them. No honor in what they have done. Verse 11. Not “one of us.” You were like “one of them.” Gives 8 instructions in following verses.

Don’t be arrogant. The first three are in Verse 12. Parallelism. Don’t gloat, rejoice, or boast. Don’t boast because 1.) God gave the victory and 2.) Your day is coming.

Don’t march victoriously. The next three are in verse 13. Don’t march through the gates. You didn’t win. Don’t look down on them as if you’re better. Don’t loot their wealth. Not yours.

Don’t act like an enemy. The final two are in verse 14. Don’t wait to cut them down. Maliciously ready to fight. Don’t hand over survivors to Babylon. Opposite of Rahab.

Section #2: The Day of the Lord is coming (15)

Exp. Here is their punishment. Verse 15. Day of the Lord is 1.) Near. Relishing in your victory is pointless. God will avenge. 2.) For all the nations. God’s discipline is not just for Judah. All nations will feel his wrath. 3.) Punishment fits the crime. You will suffer as you have brought suffering. Eventually, the Edomites are destroyed by the Romans.

Section #3: The house of Jacob will be restored (16-18)

Exp. Changes to speak to Judah. Verse 16. Drink represents judgment. As Judah has been judged, so shall all the nations. “As though they had never been” is into oblivion. Verse 17. Not all will face oblivion. House of Jacob will return. “Holy hill” because God’s temple is there. Verse 18. Joseph is a reminder of northern kingdom. They will be united. Fire is another form of judgment. No survivors from Esau. The Lord has spoken. God’s Word created and now it destroys.

Main Idea: Take Care How You Treat Others

Reason #1: The gospel brings the foreigner (neighbor) close

Exp. We must take care how we treat others because the gospel brings the foreigner close. Jesus gives a parable to prove this point. Luke 10:30-37

Luke 10:30–37

Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

Exp. Samaritans were Jews. But they were enemies. Jesus’ point is clear. Love your neighbor. Neighbors are those considered your enemies. Edomites treated brothers like enemies, but Jesus flips the script.

Ill.

Arg.

Christ - Jesus died for the foreigner.

App. Treat others as Jesus would.

Reason #2: Our sins are great, but our Savior is greater

Exp.

Ill.

Arg.

Christ - We were not punished in a way that fit our crimes. Jesus was.

App. Give grace as you have been given grace.

Reason #3: Humanity’s only hope for restoration is in Christ

Exp.

Ill.

Arg. John 13:31-35

John 13:31–35

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Christ - Jesus restores God’s children. Redemption.

App. Treat others as their only hope is Christ.