Lam 4:21 | KingComments | STEP | Edom is the greatest enemy of the people, with the greatest gloating. Edom will be judged and Zion saved, says the prophet Obadiah. Here Edom is called to gloat because it still is possible ( ; ; ). He represents all the enemies of God’s people ( ). At the same time, Edom is told that he too will come to his end. It is a comfort to Zion to know that the enemy who now laughs will also be judged by the LORD ( ). The cup of God’s wrath will be given to him to drink. That will make him naked and disgraced (cf. ). There will come a time when for God’s people iniquity will be over and they will be free from the exile and they will never be led into it again ( ). For God’s people, judgment will not have the last word. The opposite will be the fate of Edom. Jeremiah pronounces this with the greatest certainty. So it will be with all the enemies of Israel.

‏ Lamentations 4:21

Edom and Zion

Edom is the greatest enemy of the people, with the greatest gloating. Edom will be judged and Zion saved, says the prophet Obadiah. Here Edom is called to gloat because it still is possible (Lam 4:21; Psa 137:7; Eze 25:12). He represents all the enemies of God’s people (Isa 34:1-8).

At the same time, Edom is told that he too will come to his end. It is a comfort to Zion to know that the enemy who now laughs will also be judged by the LORD (Jer 49:12). The cup of God’s wrath will be given to him to drink. That will make him naked and disgraced (cf. Gen 9:21).

There will come a time when for God’s people iniquity will be over and they will be free from the exile and they will never be led into it again (Lam 4:22). For God’s people, judgment will not have the last word. The opposite will be the fate of Edom. Jeremiah pronounces this with the greatest certainty. So it will be with all the enemies of Israel.