R³ Devotional - Day 235

The Ammonites were descendants of Lot through an incestuous relationship with one of his daughters (as were the Moabites; see Genesis 19:30-38).  They were condemned for stealing land from God’s people and for worshiping the god Molech, to whom they sacrificed children.  

The Israelites descended from Jacob and the Edomites descended from his twin brother, Esau; both nations descended from their father, Isaac.  There was constant conflict between these nations, and Edom rejoiced at the fall of Jerusalem (see the book of Obadiah).  Teman, a town in the northern part of Edom, was known for its wisdom and was the hometown of Eliphaz, one of Job’s friends (Job 2:11).  But even the wisdom of Teman could not save Edom from God’s wrath.

Dedan was a flourishing city that supported caravan travel.  God told its inhabitants to flee to the caves or they would also be destroyed.  Teman and Dedan were at opposite ends of the country, so this shows the completeness of God’s destruction of Edom.  Bozrah (49:13) was a town in northern Edom.

The land of Edom contained a rock fortress known today as Petra, in southern Jordan.  Edom thought it was invincible because of its location.  Edom was destroyed because of its pride.  Pride destroys individuals as well as nations.  It makes us think we can take care of ourselves without God’s help.  Even serving God and others can lead us into pride.  Take inventory of your life and service for God; ask God to point out and remove any pride you may be harboring.

This chapter is nothing but battles and God’s judgment over the nations and peoples involved.

The throne represents God’s judgment and sovereignty.  God would preside over Elam’s destruction.  He is the King over all kings, including Elam’s.

In chapter 50, it is determined that at the height of its power, the Babylonian Empire seemed invincible.  But when Babylon had finished serving God’s purpose of punishing Judah for her sins, it was punished and crushed for its own.  Babylon was destroyed in 539 B.C. by the Medo-Persians (Daniel 5:30-31).  Babylon is also used in Scripture as a symbol of all evil.  This message can thus apply to the end times when God will destroy all evil, once and for all.

Pride was Babylon’s characteristic sin.  Pride comes from feeling self-sufficient or believing that we don’t need God.  Proud nations or persons, however, will eventually fail because they refuse to recognize God as the ultimate power.  Getting rid of pride is not easy, but if we can admit that it often rules us and ask God to forgive us, He will help us overcome it.  The best antidote to pride is to focus our attention on the greatness and goodness of God.
Babylon remains a wasteland to this day.  See also Isaiah 13:19-22.  The invader was Cyrus, who attacked Babylon by surprise and overthrew it.  The world was shocked that its greatest empire was overthrown so quickly.  No earthly power, no matter how great, can last forever.