BIB 501-2 - Session 12 Discussion Questions -> DQ#3 Discuss the past, present and future of the Edomites.

I remember Dr. Missler’s question about what’s a kilobyte, a megabyte, a gigabyte and I think a million bites? The answer, a Moabite! The Edomites were just one more of the “ites” who have involved Israel is so many conflicts over the eons. Their history reads like a soap opera. The hatred of the ites goes back to the time of Abraham. Abraham and Sarah tired of waiting for their son of promise Isaac so Abraham had a son Ishmael by a bondwoman. Isaac was told to be separate from the pagans; however, no such probation was placed on Ishmael. Ishmael was the elder son, however, Abraham’s covenant with God passed to Isaac.
Years later Isaac married Rebekah. When Rebekah was pregnant she had quite an experience, “And the LORD said unto her, two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.” Genesis 25:23. When her sons were born the elder son, Esau, came first with the younger son Jacob pulling on his brother’s heel, source of Jason’s name. Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of porridge. Jacob and his mother plotted, likely with God’s approval, for Jacob to get his father’s blessing that would normally go to Esau as the oldest son. Abraham’s covenant passed to Jacob rather than to Esau. Esau married into Ishmael’s line and like Ishmael before him; Esau thought that he was robbed of his birthright.
The Edomites were the descendants of Esau and often battled the Jewish nation and often allied themselves with whoever was fighting Israel, The Book of Obadiah is a one chapter book that really shows the anger of God. Jeremiah 49 predicted utter destruction of Edom as did the Book of Obadiah. Amos 1 also told of their destruction.
Eventually the Edomites became absorbed in desert tribes, “a people whose name and language had perished. Obadiah’s prophecy had been fulfilled.” Origen (3^rd century A.D.)
During the Great Tribulation the remnant of Israel will seek refuge in Edom/ Petra and will be supernaturally protected there.