"Because of violence to your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame, and cut off forever. You stood aloof, when strangers carried off his wealth, and foreigners entered his gate. You gloated over his misfortune and rejoiced over the sons of Judah. You looted them on the day of their disaster, and you stood at the fork of the road to cut down their fugitives and take their survivors to prison."
Jacob and Esau were the two sons of Isaac and Jacob was chosen by God to receive the Abrahamic Covenant carrying on the work of Abraham to build a great nation for God. The descendants of both Esau and Jacob become great nations. Esau's descendants become national Edom who dwelt in the clefts of the mountain rocks south of Jerusalem. Jacob's name was changed by God to Israel and national Israel was derived from Jacobs twelve sons.
In the verses above, it is referring to a time when God was bringing judgment against the Jews in the Southern Kingdom of Judah. They were exiled outside of their land by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. God is angered at the Edomites (Esau's relatives) for rejoicing over their brother's misfortune. Now God has made a decision not to spare Edom because of their lack of brotherly love for Jacob.
Daily Prayer: Father, we are all so self-centered that we even reduce our own flesh and blood to stubble for our own pride. You do not permit this. This is why Jesus taught on the Sermon on the Mount that "blessed are the poor in spirit, because they will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven."
This is what you look for in me, which is love for the other person and compassion on the lost.
In your holy name I pray Amen.
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