John Trapp on Obadiah 1:18

Verſe 18. And the houſe of Jacob ſhall be a fire, &c.] The houſe of Jacob are the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin: the houſe of Joſeph are the ten tribes of Iſrael, whereof Ephraim was the head. The ſence is this, thoſe two tribes, together with ſuch of the ten as joyned themſelves to them, either before, or after the captivity, ſhall invade Idumea, burn it, and ſubdue it, as fire doth stubble fully drie. This was done by Hircanus, and Judas Macchabeus, who compelled the Edomites to bee circumciſed: and ſo wholly poſſeſſed thoſe parts,Joſeph. 13. Ant. 17. that there were not any reliques of them remaining; no not ſo much as one [non-Latin text not transcribed] (as the Septuagint render it) or, [non-Latin text not transcribed] (as ſome read them,) any to carry corn after the camp, or fire before it, according to the cuſtome of the Greeks and Eaſterlings: which torch-bearer might as little bee violated, as an Embaſſadour; but here, hee ſhould bee cut off with the reſt, and not ſo much as a meſſenger left to relate the overthrow. The Edomites were ſo utterly rooted out by Hircanus, Alex. ab Alex. l. 5. c. 3. that they thenceforth ceaſed to bee Edomites, and became Jews. Thoſe of them that were converted, by the preaching of the Goſpel, ceaſed to be either Edomites or Jewes, and became Chriſtians. The Apoſtles burning with the zeal of Gods glory, and love to mens ſouls, devoured and waſted the infidelity, idols, and vices of the Gentiles, where-ever they came preaching. Hence Chryſoſtom ſaith, Peter was a man made all of fire, walking among ſtubble: Paul was inſatiabilis Dei cu[illegible: 1 letter]tor, an inſatiable ſervant of Chriſt. And to the like purpoſe it was, that to one that deſired to know what kind of man Baſil was, it is ſaid, there was preſented in a dream a pillar of fire, with this Motto, Talis eſt Baſilius, Such an one is Baſil. And old Latimer, when he was demanded the reaſon why ſo little powerfull preaching? anſwered, Deest ignis, the ſpark of the ſpirit is wanting. Howbeit this Prophecy, as it began to be fulfilled at firſt by the Apoſtles, and the Apoſtolicall perſons that came after them; ſo it is daily, and ſhall be continually to the worlds end fulfilled by the faithfull preachers of Gods holy word, who are clothed with a ſpirit of judgement and of burning, Eſay. 4 4. and out of whoſe mouth proceedeth fire, Rev. 11.5. to purge the gold, and to conſume the ſtubble.