Bible Question:

Where is Edom today in reference to Malachi 1:4-5? Are these two verses still relevant today?

Bible Answer:

Where is Edom today in reference to Malachi 1:4-5? The nation of Edom had a history of anti-semitism. Consequently, it is not surprising that God spoke through some of the Old Testament prophets against the nation. The entire book of Obadiah, which was written about 850-840 B.C., is the earliest prophecy that announced the destruction of Edom because they had violated the principle of Genesis 12:3,

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.
Genesis 12:3 (NASB)

They did not bless Israel. Instead they hated Israel and attacked Israel.  The Hebrew word for “curse” is qalal, which can mean “despise, lightly esteem, contempt, and to consider insignificant.” So anyone who attacks Israel is included in the Hebrew word qalal. That is, they have cursed Israel. This began between Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25:21-26), since Esau is Edom (Genesis 36:8). Since  Esau moved to the land of Seir (Genesis 36:8-9), that territory was called Edom.

After Israel left Egypt and attempted to travel through Edom’s land to the Promised Land, the Edomites refused to let them through (Numbers 20:14-21). God intervened and helped Israel pass through. God told the Israelites to not detest them (Deuteronomy 23:7). But Edom remained hostile and that hostility continued for hundreds of years. Consequently, the book of Obadiah prophesied the eventual destruction of Edom.

Ezekiel 25:12-14 is another prophecy that announced the destruction of Edom because  they wanted revenge. They wanted revenge because after they had previously attacked Israel,  King David defended Israel (2 Samuel 8:14) by defeating and controlling Edom.  Then under King Ahaz, the nation gained some independence in 735-715 B.C. Yet, even though they had a history of hostility toward Israel (Genesis 27:27-41; Isaiah 34:5-7) and had initiated the series of attacks, they wanted revenge. So in Ezekiel 25:12-14, God said that He would destroy Edom because of their desire for revenge. Ezekiel 25:12-14 rebuked the Edomites for being thrilled when the Babylonian army invaded Judah and began attacking Jerusalem.  Psalm 137:7 reports,

Remember, O LORD, against the sons of Edom
The day of Jerusalem, Who said, “Raze it, raze it
To its very foundation.”
Psalm 137:7 (NASB)

After the Babylonian army defeated Jerusalem and Judah in 586 B.C., the army invaded Edom and defeated the nation. However, the book of Malachi reports that Edom was not yet completely destroyed. That was the prophecy of Ezekiel 25:12-14. From the book of Malachi we read,

Though Edom says, “We have been beaten down, but we will return and build up the ruins”; thus says the LORD of hosts, “They may build, but I will tear down; and men will call them the wicked territory, and the people toward whom the LORD is indignant forever.” Your eyes will see this and you will say, “The LORD be magnified beyond the border of Israel!” Malachi 1:4-5 (NASB)

This is another prophecy of the eventual destruction of Edom. The Edomites migrated to Idumea about 120 B.C.. There they were defeated by the Maccabeans.[1] Herod the Great was an Idumean. After the Roman army defeated the Idumeans or Edomites, they  disappeared. The historical record of what happened to the Edomites is a blur. Today, the nation of Edom does not exist.. Their descendants have been absorbed into the surrounding Arab countries. This is a fulfillment of three prophecies.

The ancient land of Edom was located south of Israel in the territory now occupied by the nation of Jordan. However, it is important to realize that this does not mean the Jordanians are Edomites. The territory occupied by the ancient Edomites extended from the southern tip of the Dead Sea down to the Gulf of Aqaba (see the map of the ancient territory below). Their land then swept to the east.

Map of Nation of Edom

Conclusion:

God destroyed the Edomites because of their hatred of Israel. God said that He would bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel. That is the divine principle. Edom is one example of the fulfillment of that principle.

 

References:

1. Josephus. The Antiquities of the Jews. 13.9.1 and 14.7.9.

Suggested Links:

What God Will Do If You Rejoice Your Enemy Is Suffering
God Will Punish The Sins of Anti-Semitism and Anti-Judaism