Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Worldly Pride and it’s End

Edom’s checkered History with Israel

Esau tricked by Jacob.

Edom refuses to let Israel through on their way to the promised land, the prophecy that they shall be dispossessed (Numbers 24).

Edom was often at war with Israel, with Edom being the agressor (1 Samuel 14:47; 1 Kings 11:14), yet Edom rarely did well in these conflicts (1 Kings 11:15 Joab killed every male in Edom).

At one point, Edom was taken under the rule of Israel, which they constantly to come out from.

They finally did during the reign of Joram the son of Jehoshaphat.

Edom is an enemy of God.

Although descendants of Abraham, Edom conspires both against Israel and their God along with other nations (Psalm 83:5-6).

But God does not see them as a serious enemy.

When Assyria came around, Edom decided it was time to get back at Israel.

Jealousy fueled by ethnic and national pride joined Assyria in their war against God’s people.

God’s message concerning Edom’s pride:

They will be small, not great.

Their greatness is short lived.

Their pride is decietful.

They are self-decieved by their feelings of self-importance.

God will be the cause of their downfall.

The Fall from Pride

Those who plunder Israel will be like grape gatherers leaving a remnant to be harvested by the needy, God’s remnant.

But Edom will not be spared like this.

God deals with his chosen people’s pride by severly humbling them, but not cutting them down completely.

Edom cannot assume the same.

God’s love for his people, even in their sin, does not mean infinite patience with those who work against him.

Vs 7 Irony will hit Edom as they will be betrayed by the new allies they had made to get back at Israel.

Judgement (8-14)

Through this great fall from pride to destructive betrayel, God interprets these coming events as his way of shaming their wisdom, which they think they have in taking advantage of the politically volitile situation with Assyria.

Their pride will also fail in a military sense, to the point where every man will be killed in the mountains of Seir.

Our text ends with God relating how foolish it is for Edom to boast over their short-lived victory.

In fact, it is exactly because of their “violence” towards God’s chosen that they will be completely cut off from the earth.

God warns the Edomite audience against continuing their traitorous ways.

Conclusion

What can we take away from this first half of the book?

A warning for the persecutor of God’s people.

A comfort for God’s people.

Comfort in persecution.

Comfort in God’s faithfulness to his promises to us.