Matthew Poole and continuators on Obadiah 1

1 THE vision of Obadiah . Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom , We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen , Arise ye , and let us rise up against her in battle .

Which the Prophet received immediately from the Lord; so Prophets are called Seers, 1 Sam. 9.9. and Amos 7.12. and their Prophesie is Vision, Isa. 1.1. and Ioel 2.28.

Who this was, appears not on any certainty, or when he Prophesied. That 'twas not Obadiah who hid and fed the Prophets of the Lord in Ahabs time, is evident, for that the Prophet doth threaten Edom for their Cruelty against Ierusalem in the day [illegible: 1 letter]twas taken and sack'd, which was three hundred and thirty or forty years, after Ahab's time; he began to Reign about 3025, and Ierusalem was sack'd about 3363, year of the World; his Name speaks a Servant or a Worshipper of the Lord.

This includes his Authority, the certainty of the things he speaks of

or against Edom, both People and Countrey are so called from their Progenitour or Founder, Esau called Edom, Gen. 25.30. This Countrey is called Idumea, Isa. 34.5, 6. Ezek. 25.15. which see; 'twas a part of Arabia Petraea.

Other prophets, as I, have heard this News to tell to Edom, or to send to them, Isa. 11.14. Ier. 27.3. Ioel 3.19. and Amos 1.12.

Not an uncertain, and va[illegible: 2 letters] report but it comes from God by his Prophets.

By the Lord first, and next by Nebuchadnezzar who executed on Edom what is here foretold. God stir'd up the Spirit of Nebuchadnezzar to make War on Edom, which was (as well as other Nations) given up to Nebuchadnezzar, Ier. 27.3.

Or Nations, both those that were Confederate with, or subject to Nebuchadnezzar, whom all Nations served, Ier. 27.5, 6.

This is a Summons to them from Nebuchadnezzar that they send in their proportions of Souldiers.

This seems the voice of Souldiers willing to and desirous of the War.

An Herald, or Muster-master, who should gather forces together for this Expedition.

Marginal references: Mal. 1.3.; Jer. 49.14.

2 Behold , I have made thee small among the heathen : thou art greatly despised .

Ye Edomites lay it to heart, and consider it well; be not secure amidst such dangers.

Thou art a small people for number, thy Land Mountainous, Rocky, and Barren, and 'tis little that which is of it, situate very incommodiously for any Trade, which makes people great and famous; a Countrey fitted for Moss-Troopers, or Banditi; and as such Out-laws and Robbers thou art proud, and promisest great things to thy self.

In comparison with other Nations.

By those that do hear of thee, who know thy Situation, Government manner of Life, and what thy Forces are, and how usually employed. Whatever these Edomites had been, now they are despised, and ere long should be more despicable, when as Ier. 49.20. the least of Nebuchadnezzar's Army shou[illegible: 1 letter]d pull them out of their Caves, Houses, and Strongholds.

3 ¶ The pride of thy heart hath deceived thee : thou that dwe[illegible: 2 letters]est in the clefts of the rock , whose habitatio[illegible: 1 letter] is high, that saith in his heart , Who shall bring me down to the ground ?

The Edomites were, as most Mountainers are, a rough hardy, and daring People▪ necessitated sometimes to extraordinary Adventures, and many times succeeded in attempts which others would not venture upon, hence they did swell in Pride and Confidence, and their hearts were bigger than their Atchievements, and they proud above measure.

Magnifying thy strength above what really it is.

People of Edom.

Houses, Fortresses, Towns and Cities, built upon inaccessible Rocks, which neither could be undermined or scaled. Or dwellest in dark, deep, and unsearchable Caves amidst the Rockes.

Who think with themselves, and are upon Report of an Invasion ready to say,

It is not possible for Armies to approach to us, nor bring their Engines to shake or batter our Walls. Who shall, i. e. none can.

4 Though thou exalt thy self as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars , thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD .

Edom boasted of his strength from the height of the Rocks he dwelt on, v. 3. but here he is answered if he could build his nest as the Eagles, which build and fly much higher than any other Bird, neither the height of the nest should save the young ones, nor the height of his flight save the old one.

Nay yet in a more lofty strein, suppose you could lodge your brood among the stars for safety, and there fly above the reach of man, yet should you not be out of the reach of danger.

God who is in the Heavens would throw thee down, when men could not Marshal Armies against thee, Stars should fight in their Courses against thee. Nothing can stand which God will cast down, vid. Ier. 49.16, 17.

Marginal references: Amos 9.2.

5 If theeves came to thee, if robbers by night , (how art thou cut off !) would they not have stollen till they had enough ? if the grape-gatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes ?

If Theeves by day had spoil'd thee they would not have thus strip'd thee.

If Robbers which practice their violences in the night had been with thee, they would have left somewhat behind them.

Here is either a Trajection, this placed here which must be read first in the Verse, or an Exclamation of one as in haste to know whence such unexpected events. Or an insulting derision of that Pride which boasted so much and performed so little in self Defence.

Theeves and Robbers take till they have what is sufficient for them at present and leave the rest, but here is nothing left.

If Edom be a Vine, and gathered, some gleanings would be left by Grape-gatherers; but alas here have been those that have cut up the Vine! and is all thy confidence and boasting come to this?

In the fifth verse the Prophet doth in an abrupt manner of speech, mixt of wonder and doubt, express the strange havock and desolation made in Edom, as if he had said who have been here? or in what posture wast thou found, O Edom! that such strange desolation is found in thee?

Marginal references: Jer. [illegible: 1 span]; De[illegible: 1 letter]. [illegible: 1 span] Isa. [illegible: 1 span] 24.13.; Or, [illegible: 1 span]

6 How are the things of Esau searched out? how are his hid things fought up ?

The Father of this people, and here put for his Posterity.

All that the Edomites had laid up in the most secret places, in unsearchable Caves, and deep Abysses of hollow Rocks, how are all his Treasures found out, seised and brought forth a prey to greedy Souldiers! how durst they adventure here!

7 All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border : the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee , and prevailed against thee : they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee : there is none understanding in him .

They who by league had bound themselves to assist with Men and Arms, who had made an offensive and defensive League.

Either have conducted in honourable manner through their Countrey the Embassadors thou didst send, concluded first a confederacy, and next convey'd home the Embassadours who made it. Or else have counselled thee to meet the War before it entreth thy Countrey; and have marched as confederates with thee until thou wert come to the Borders of thy countrey, as if they would there fight for thee against the Enemy.

This is Ingemination, or repeating of the same thing before mentioned, unless men of thy peace be men that did make peace and accept the Terms thou didst propose for thy advantage.

Proved treacherous, nay designed to betray thee.

Either thus their Plot took, or else they turned to the Enemy, and under his colours destroy'd thee.

Thy friends, those thou hast maintain'd, the Souldiers thou kept'st in pay.

Have laid a snare armed with some sharp and piercing instrument that wounds so soon as thou [illegible: 1 letter]allest on the snare.

Either no prudence to foresee and preven[illegible: 1 letter] this, or to manage, and lessen it.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 span]; Heb. [illegible: 1 span]; Or, [illegible: 1 span]

8 Shall I not in that day , saith the LORD, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau ?

This Interrogation is a strong Assertion, I certainly will.

Of War and desolation of Edom, when Nebuchadnezzar with his Armies shall invade Idumaea.

Either by War or Sicknesses take the Wisemen out of Edom, they shall die, or deprive them of places of trust where they might help to save Edom. Or else turn their Wisdom into Foolishness, as Achitophels was.

Men of sound Counsel and good Conduct in the Affairs of Peace and War.

An elegant Ingemination for illustrating and confirming the Prediction. All Edom shall miserably perish, not a wise man left to foresee and prevent it.

Marginal references: Isa. [illegible: 1 span] Jer. [illegible: 1 span]

9 And thy mighty men , O Teman , shall be dismayed , to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter .

Valiant Commanders and Souldiers, who were never blemish'd with Cowardice, who formerly durst adventure on greatest dangers and Encounter most formidable Enemies, and were never daunted with a slow approaching Enemy how much soever over number to them, nor with any sudden surprizing accidents. Men of invincible Courage, and most ready minds.

A principal City and Munition of Idum[illegible: 1 letter]ea. Vid. Ezek. 25.13, and Hab. 3.3. and Amos 1.12. †.

Astonish'd and surprised with such fear as disableth from action and counsel, shall neither dare to resist, or hope to escape but tamely give up all to the Enemy.

Thus all shall be expos'd to slaughter when they dare not fight, who should have saved themselves and defended others. Deplorable is their condition, who surrounded every way with Enemies have neither strength nor Counsel to resist their power or defeat their Malice.

10 ¶ For thy violence against thy brother Jacob , shame shall cover thee , and thou shalt be cut off for ever .

Though Idumaeans were guilty of many other and great sins they are here charged with this as the great crying sin, inhuman Cruelty and Perfidiousness, they did mercilesly spoil and basely betray the Iews which will be particularly mention'd in following verses.

Edomites the posterity of Esau, and the Iews posterity of Iacob are here called Brothers for that the Fathers of both people were Brothers, Twins, and this nearness of Blood should have been remembred, and kindness, should have still run through the blood and kindred. It is a great sin to be cruel and false to any, but greatest sin to be so to a Brother.

Put for his Children.

Contempt, and Reproaches shall by all men be cast upon thee, and cover thee as a garment, or swallow thee up. God and man shall pour shame upon thee, thy memory shall be retain'd with condemnation to shame, and thy end shall be in shame too.

Never more be a Nation or Kingdom, which was in a very great degree fulfilled in the cutting them off by the Sword of Nebuchadnezzar. Vid. Isa. 34.5.10. Ezek. 35.9, threatens the like desolation.

Marginal references: Gen. 27.41. [illegible: 1 word]. 137.7. [illegible: 1 word]. 25.12. [illegible: 2 letters]os 1.11. Mal. 1.4.; Gen. 27.41. [illegible: 1 word]. 137.7. [illegible: 2 letters]ek. 25.12. [illegible: 1 letter]mos 1.11. Mal. 1.4.

11 In the day that thou stoodest on the other side , in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces , and forreiners entred into his gates , and cast lots upon Jerusalem , even thou wast as one of them .

During the war which the Babylonians made upon Iudea, or in the day of Battel when Iews fought with Chaldeans.

Tookest up thy stand over-right them observing with delight how they were worsted, slaughter'd, and roured; or didst set thy self in Battel Array against thy brother Iacob.

The Babylonians and the mixed Nations which joyned with them.

First master'd the Iews and then made them Captives and sent them away out of their own land, a sight which should have moved compassions in thee.

His strength, his Troops, or multitudes that survived and were taken, and their Wealth and Riches too.

That invaded, slew the Inhabitants, and forced the besieged places to open their Gates. Or took the Fortresses by assault.

So Robbers divided their prey, and Conquerors, Prov. 1.14. Ioel 3.3. which see.

Upon the Citizens and their Goods which were found in Ierusalem when 'twas taken by the Chaldeans.

A Neighbour, who wast not molested by Israel when they marched through other Nations from Egypt to Canaan, who wast a Brother by descent, ver. 10. let. b.

As merciless and insolent as any of those barbarous Forreigners.

Marginal references: Or, his [illegible: 1 word].

12 But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother, in the day that he became a stranger : neither shouldest thou have rejoyced over the children of Judah , in the day of their destruction : neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress .

With secret joy and satisfaction to thy eyes and mind, if thou wouldst have looked, it should have been with tears and grief, not with joy and gladness at the sight; so the word, Psalm 37.3[illegible: 1 letter]. and 54.7. and Prov. 29.16.

On the affliction and sad misery which fell upon thy Brother Iacob; so day in Scripture, thus absolutely put, doth often signifie, Psal. 37.13. Micah 7.4.

Having by the misery of War been made a Captive, and lost his former right and liberty in his own Country, was now lookt upon as a stranger, i. e. one who had no more right to any thing in the land.

This explains the former.

This expounds Brother.

This tells us what day meant.

Vaunting over the Iewes, insolently upbraiding and [illegible: 1 letter]eproaching them with virulent words, and exulcerated malice,

when Ierusalem was taken.

Marginal references: Or, do not [illegible: 1 word].; Heb. [illegible: 1 word] mouth.

13 Thou shouldest not have entred into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity ; yea, thou shouldest not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity.

As an Enemy, a Conquerour.

By Synecdoche▪ City is meant by Gate; The Edomites warring among the Babylonians, did with them enter the Gates of conquered Ierusalem, appear'd a proud insulting enemy over Iudah.

Thou shouldest have remembred that the Iewes thy brethren were my people, my peculiar people.

When their City was broken up, their King imprisoned, and captive with his Nobles, and other Subjects.

As before verse 12. let. p.

Or strength, the word notes both, Edom siezed the persons of the Iewes, and made them Prisoners, and they plundered the City, siezed the Goods of the Citizens; this they did with delight, but God will punish for it.

Marginal references: Or, forces.

14 Neither shouldest thou have stood in the cross-way , to cut off those of his that did escape ; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his which did remain in the day of distress ,

Or in the breaches viz. of the Walls, by which when the City was taken, some might have made their escape from the enemy, thou didst, though thou shouldest not, spitefully and cruelly watch at such breaches, and preventedst their flight; or else thou didst post thy self at the head of the wa[illegible: 1 letter]es, where thou mightest sieze flying Iewes.

Either kill if they would not yield, or cut off their hopes of escape, by making them Prisoners.

Out of the City, and were flying farther for safety.

Reserved them Prisoners, and brought them back into the hands of the Chaldeans.

Of thy Brother Iacobs Posterity.

Survived the taking of the City, and were fairly like to escape, but thou foundst them, and betrayedst them.

When they could no longer defend their City, nor had any hope but in a flight through all the secret wayes they knew; but thou didst watch these wayes, and didst cut off many who sought to fly through them.

Marginal references: Or, shut up.

15 For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen ; as thou hast done , it shall be done unto thee, thy reward shall return upon thine own head .

Of just revenge from the Lord upon this cruelty of Edom; the time which the Lord hath appointed for the punishing of this, and other Nations.

Which God had given to Nebuchadnezzar, and which by this mans armes God would punish, as Ier. 27.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. and that day may justly be accounted near, which shall come within the compass of one mans life, and that well advanced in years, as Nebuchadnezzar now was.

Perfidiously, cruelly and ravenously against Iacob, with an hostile revengeful mind.

It shall be done by thine enemies to thee. as verse 7. and this came to pass on Edom, within five years after Ierusalem was sackt and ruined, within which space of time Obadiah Prophesied, reproving Edom, and threatening him for what he had done against Ierusalem, and its Inhabitants.

The punishment or retribution of evil, for the evil thou hast done to Iacob.

By Gods just hand, and by thy enemies cruel hand shall be poured out upon thee.

Thy chief men, chief in the cruelty shall be chief in suffering, for the measure thou hast measured shall be measured to thee, as Psal. 137.8. Ezek. 35.15. Ioel 3.7, 8.

16 For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain e, so shall all the heathen drink continually , yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been .

This, with some, is a confirmation of what is threatned against Edom ▪ ye[illegible: 1 letter] others make this verse the beginning of the Consolato[illegible: 1 letter]y Sermon to Iudah, and either suits well with the Context.

O Edomites, or ye O Iewes.

If you interpret this drinking as feasting, revelling and carousing, 'tis to be applyed to the Edomites, and others, who triumpht first by their armes, next in their cups over conquer'd Judah.

The Nations, enemies to Edom ▪ shall on Mount Esau conquer first, and then triumph in their revelling Feasts, and drink continually, till they have swallowed u[illegible: 1 letter] Edom.

Edomites

shall by this means perish utterly, and their memory cease with them, so it suits with Ezek. 35.14, 15. whic[illegible: 1 letter] see. Others refer the words to the Jewes, thus, ye have dru[illegible: 2 letters] the cup of astonishment in your land, and in Jerusalem, my [illegible: 1 letter]oly Mountain; So now ere long the Nations which afflicted you shall drink of the cup of astonishment, long, yea drink the dregs of it, so that they shall perish, and be no more, when your day of dark affliction shall end in a day of light and salvation, and when other Nations do this, Edom shall much more, because most deeply guilty above others, Vid. Jer. 49.17, 18.21, 22.

Either the whole land, or Jerusalem, or the Temple, for all these are called by this name, and here these proud and insolent conquerours did drink confusion to the Jewes.

Marginal references: Or, s[illegible: 1 letter]p up.

17 ¶ But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance , and there shall be holiness , and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions .

Or and Heb.

Historically, and in the letter this refers to the people of the Iewes, to the inhabitants of Ierusalem, and those who worshipt God in the Temple. In the Mystical sence or Typical, it refers to the Gospel Church, and the setting up the Kingdom of Christ, and the Salvation and Redemption of Gods Israel.

A remnant that shall escape the enemies sword, and which after 70 years Captivity shall be delivered and restored by Cyrus: An Hieroglyphick of Israels Redemption by Christ.

Or it shall be Holy, the Temple, the City rebuilt, the people returned from Captivity shall be Holy to the Lord; They shall obey his Law, attend his Temple Service, and offe[illegible: 1 letter] a pure Offering to the Lord, &c. All this Typical and accomplisht in the Christian Church, though not fully and perfectly till the Church is glorified in Heavenly Sion.

Literally the Survivers of the two Tribes in the Babylonish Kingdom, and some others of the ten Tribes, but including the elect of God, the house of Iacob in the extent of it, as taken in Isa. 59.20. and Rom. 11.26.

Either the possessions of the Heathen, their enemies, or rather their own antient possessions, out of which the violence of their Enemies did cast them when they were led captive, and dispossessed of all.

Marginal references: Amos 9.8.; Or, they that e[illegible: 1 letter]cape.; Or, it shall be holy.

18 And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble , and they shall kindle in them , and devour them , and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken it .

Besides what Nebuchadnezzar shall do upon his particular quarrel against Edom, bringing them to a very desolate condition, there shall (though it be not owned) intermixed be the quarrel of God for Israels sake, which the Chaldeans shall avenge, or else, after the return out of Captivity, and some setled state in their own land, Israel himself shall destroy the remnant of Edom, Ioel 3.16. with 19. and Ezek. 25.14.

Either the Kingdom of the two Tribes, or else the whole twelve Tribes, the residue of the ten Tribes joined with the two in their return from Babylon.

The ten Tribes particularly here mentioned to comfort them, and assure them, that they should not be cast off▪ though they were more notoriously guilty of Idolatry, and along Apostacy.

As unable to resist or secure themselves, as stubble is to resist the flame.

This was fulfilled in part by Hi[illegible: 1 letter]canus and the Maccabees, 1 Mac. 5.3. but more fully to be accomplisht in the mystical sense, when the Lord shall make his Church as a fire to all its enemies, and Ierusalem a burthensome stone to all Nations.

As flame eats up the stubble.

No considerable number or body of them, or none shall continue Edomites, but turn Iewes, and be Circumcised, be added to the Church.

However or when ever this is done, it shall be done, because the Lord hath spoken it; this assures us of the thing.

Marginal references: Zech. 12.6.

19 And they of the south shall possess the mount of Esau, and they of the plain , the Philistines ; and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim , and the fields of Samaria , and Benjamin shall possess Gilead .

The Iewes who lived in the South parts of Canaan, which was next to Idumea, shall after their return and victories over Edom possess his Country, called here the Mount of Esau.

The Iewes who dwelt in the plain Country, which was next to Palestina, Iosh. 15.33.

Shall enlarge their borders, and possess the Philistines Country, together with their antient inheritance, now of the possession of Mount Esau by the Iewes, saith Grotius, it was most fully accomplisht by Hircanus. Iosesephus Lib. 13. chap. 17. reports the matter thus, that the Idumeans were commanded either to depart their Country, or be Circumcised. If this were the time of fulfilling the one, 'twas also the time of fulfilling the other also.

And all the land which the ten Tribes once did possess, shall again be possessed by the Jewes.

The fields also about Samaria, how greatly soever wasted, shall be replanted, and that by the Jewes too.

Either apart, or jointly with Judah.

A Country beyond Jordan, assigned to the Tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh, wasted by Hazael and Tiglath Pileser, some time before Samaria was taken, but should be inhabited by the Benjamites; And probably Gad, Manasseh and Reuben did enlarge upon the Moabites and Ammonites. Here is promised a larger possession then ever they had before the captivity, and it doth no doubt point out the enlargement of the Church of Christ in the times of the Gospel, and particularly when Antichrist Typified in this Prophesie by Edom shall be destroyed; but we are to give the literal meaning, and think we do not miss of it.

Marginal references: Amos 9.12.

20 And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites , even unto Zarephath ; and the captivity of Jerusalem , which is in Sepharad , shall possess the cities of the south.

Those of the ten Tribes that were carried away captive by Salmaneser, One Hundred and Thirty years before that Jerusalem was taken by Nebuchadnezzar.

All the Countrey they antiently possessed with this addition also, that what the Canaanites held by force, and the Israelites could not take from them, shall now be possessed by these returned Captives.

Called Sareptah Luke 4.26. near Sidon.

The two Tribes, carried captive when Ierusalem was taken by Nebuchadnezzar.

The Modern Jewes call Spain Sepharad, but without any good ground, nor was it so called antiently, nor doth the Chaldee Paraphr. so interpret it; nor do I meet with any thing better then a tacite confession, that most believe 'tis a City of Chaldea or Assyria, and toward the Northern and farthest bounds of it, but where 'twas exactly they know not.

All the Cities which were once their own.

In Judea, which lay Southward from this Sepharad, where the captives dwelt, and whence they return.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 span] is in [illegible: 1 word].

21 And saviours shall come upon mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau , and the kingdom shall be the LORDS .

Or for, so the Gallick Version, Printed at Roc[illegible: 1 letter]el, 1616.

Deliverers, literally the Governours or Leaders of those captive Troops, who shall come up from Babylon to their own Country, such as Zerubbabel, Ezra, Nehemiah, of whom 'twas said he came to seek the good of the Iewes, Neh. 2.10. and successively after these many others, to the times of Hircanus, and the Maccabees; Mystically Christ and his Apostles, and other Preachers of the Gospel.

Literally, with leave and commission from the Kings of Persia, such as Cyrus, and Darius H[illegible: 1 letter]staspis, to manage the affairs of the returned Captives.

In Judea, at Jerusalem and the Temple, and whatever might concern them, with their Neighbours round about.

To avenge Israel upon Edom, to fight, subdue, and give lawes to them, as Hircanus did when the Edomites were glad to be circumcised to keep their Country.

The whole Country, so called from the Father of that Nation, who chose those Mountainous countryes for his habitation, as most suitable to his wild and rambling humour, which delighted in hunting.

The Government, called here the Kingdom, shall manifestly appear to be set up, maintained and prospered by a power, wisdom and goodness greater then humane.

The God of Israel, who is Jehovah, shall be honour'd, obey'd and worshipt by them, and they shall not as formerly rely on Idols, or Forreign Aids. All which most fully is accomplisht by Christ the Saviour, and now known in the Christian Church, who do believe he will, and pray that he would save his Sion, and destroy Edom, i. e. Antichrist and his Kingdom.

Marginal references: 1 T[illegible: 2 letters] Ja[illegible: 1 letter]. [illegible: 1 letter]2; L[illegible: 1 letter]ke [illegible: 2 letters]