Jacob Meets Esau

 

Jacob Meets Esau

”Day of the Lord,” God’s ultimate intervention in the affairs of His people. At that time, He will judge the whole earth (vv.2, 3:8), purge Israel (Zeph. 3:11-13; see note on Ezek. 43:13-27), and then reestablish His people into their land (3:14-20). The apostate people of Israel and Judah had to be constantly reminded that the Day of the Lord would a time of judgment, and for the ungodly, a time of utter darkness (see notes on Jer. 30:3-31:26, Amos 5:18-20; Thess. 5:2).


The “sacrifice” mentioned here refers to Christ’s atoning work on the cross of Calvary. (Heb.10:12); in the phrase “bid his guests,” God is inviting His people to accept this offering and come into a right relationship with Him (Matt. 10:6; 15:24)


Re: Edom represents all gentile opposition to God’s people. In Amos, the “Day of the Lord” is seen as a general reference to a time when Israel’s sin will be judged (Amos 5:18-20, see note) However it is also presented as a time for judgment upon the Gentiles. Some would suggest that Israel understood the “Day of the Lord” to be a day of Deliverance, forgetting their need to be brought into a right relationship with God. The Book of Obadiah concludes with the millennial blessing of the people of Israel. At this time the tables will be turned and Edom’s persecution of Israel will be returned to them. God says that Israel will devour Edom “like a fire” as they are judged for the evil that was committed against God’s people (v.18, of Zech. 12:6).

Furthermore, God speaks of a future time when Israel will actually occupy the full extent of its promised land, and the Edomites will be removed from the land that they seized from Israel after the Babylonian Captivity began in 586 B.C.. In verse Ob. 1:21 the word translated “savior” could better be translated “deliverers” referring to the deliverance of the land by the restored exiles from the Babylonian Captivity . Also, the term “judged” used here is the same word used to describe how the judges governed the people (Judg. 2:16) In other words, the land will be delivered and ruled. Ultimately, God ruled over His people.
The Lord Loves Jacob

 

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