Obadiah 1:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Yet, it seems inevitable for them to face such circumstances, for fear typically drives thieves to flee and those in hiding to make a hasty exit; anything they have pilfered feels sufficient for their enjoyment. However, for grape gatherers, the challenge lies in the leaves that obscure the fruit, preventing its discovery. But you, Esau or Edom, a descendant of Esau, must endure the greatest loss, for even the concealed resources were taken from you, and no one found refuge; the terrain's inaccessibility proved ineffective for your escape.

If thieves and robbers, who typically tunnel into homes under the cover of night to steal, were to search your dwelling, cloaked in darkness, they would certainly take what they deemed necessary and might leave behind a few things, either because they were satisfied or simply overlooked them. Similarly, if grape harvesters entered your vineyard with the intent to plunder, whether as enemies or hired hands, they would still leave a few clusters hidden among the vines. However, the foes who attacked you by divine command, particularly the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar, thoroughly examined every aspect of your fortress, inspecting all your secret places and the cliffs and openings of the caves where you resided.

To elaborate on the nature of the region: the entire southern area of Idumea from Eleutheropolis to Petra and Elam, which is Esau’s territory, consists of dwellings in caves. Due to the intense heat from the sun in this southern locale, inhabitants often utilize subterranean dwellings. "I have laid bare," declares Esau, "I have exposed what was hidden in the earth and revealed all you tried to conceal; when I, along with my enemies, searched through everything you owned, nothing remained hidden." When I refer to thieves and robbers who come in the night, I mean those who are children of darkness—heretics who teach doctrines that contradict the truth, taking what they need and continually seeking to steal from the faithful flock of the Church. They invade the vineyard of our Lord, the one He brought forth from the land of Egypt (Psalm 79:9-10), looking to drain it so thoroughly that not a single cluster remains. Conversely, the Lord reveals all their hidden secrets and the mysteries of Esau's patriarchs—specifically, those who first propagated heresy—through His saints, the leaders of the Church, and teachers. His initial triumph is in exposing what was once concealed. Thus, we marvel at how Esau was scrutinized, his secret places violated! Consider Marcion, Valentinus, and all heretics: observe how they, with a tormented conscience, proudly advocate their demonic teachings, seducing the naïve by presenting themselves as if unveiling divine truths! Yet, when the Gospel illuminates their intricate systems, revealing the visions of thirty aeons and more, the follies of Esau will be laid bare, and all their mysteries will be unveiled.