Theological Commentary: Click Here
Mount Seir
is a name given throughout the Bible for the nation of Edom. Remembering Genesis reminds the reader that
Edom are the descendants of Esau. Edom
is the place Esau went – and the people Esau mingled with – after his
confrontation with Jacob.
God’s issue
with Esau is two-fold. First, God has an
issue that Esau has forgotten their tie to the Hebrew people. They have a common ancestor. They both come from Abraham (and Isaac,
too!). The people that the Hebrew people
credit as forefathers are also important to the Edomites! God is concerned that the Edomites would so
easily forget their lineage.
God’s second
issue is even bigger. Edom didn’t only
forget their ties, they looked to take advantage of them! They thought that they could claim the lands
of Israel and Judah for themselves once Assyrian and Babylon took over. They were planning on using God’s judgment
over Israel and Judah for their own personal gain.
God clearly condemns
this behavior. It is one thing to forget
where we came from. It is another thing
to use the downfall of another for our own personal gain. This is simply another form of greed, and
like all greed, it is condemned by the Lord.
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