Obadiah 1:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The very people from whom they anticipated deliverance ‘put flattery under thee.’ The phrase ‘there is no sense in them’ refers to the false prophets and deceivers, those who ensnare with flattery and spread misleading astrological signs—those who are so misguided that they believe they can foresee the future through such means. Those who devoted themselves to idol worship were deeply troubled by this unfolding reality.

The Idumeans, likewise troubled by their misfortunes just as conflict loomed on all sides, sought to discern the outcomes of the impending events. They gathered individuals experienced in such predictions, instructing them to announce the implications of the war for their fate. It is likely these so-called seers promised them victory; however, they were soon revealed to possess no true understanding, being left in their misery, deluded by their own folly, and uttering falsehoods. It was pointed out that those from Teman or Idumea, once known for their valor, would instead become fearful, as emphasized in the warning, ‘And thy soldiers shall fear, which are of Theban, that a man may be weaned from the mountain of Esau,’ foreshadowing the downfall of every Idumean.

The root cause of their persistent suffering is made clear in the declaration, ‘for the sake of plague and wickedness against thy brother’; thus, for the bloodshed of one closely related, namely Jacob or his descendants, they would face destruction in war, bringing upon themselves utter ruin and disgrace. The certainty of their plight and the terrible tribulations awaiting them is underscored in the statement, ‘And thou shalt be rejected for ever.’ ‘From this day’ signifies the moment when the Babylonians invaded and laid waste to Judea, besieging those assembled in Jerusalem. During this siege, the Idumeans, watching for those trying to escape, killed the fleeing, effectively aiding the invaders while leading the descendants of Jacob into captivity. Therefore, they bore guilt for the suffering of their brethren and were almost as cruel as the Babylonians themselves.

Thus it is proclaimed, "Your warriors shall be fearful from Theban," which we interpret as 'from the south.' Esau, as previously mentioned, bears three names, and the southern division of his kingdom is known by the three names: Darom, Peman, and Nagevah, which denote, according to Ezekiel, the concepts of 'south,' 'southwest,' and 'midday.' When the courageous individuals of his southern realm are overtaken by fear, the man on the mountain of Esau, who typically defended the citizens and offered prudent counsel, shall meet his demise. Alternatively, when those once deceived turn towards the Church, the wise of Edom, preoccupied with worldly pursuits, will face decline in the conflict that the Lord Himself will initiate, and shrewdness will be obliterated on the mountain of Esau, which stood against the wisdom of God. Those who formerly wielded dialectical reasoning in support of Esau and Edom, strengthening 'Theman,’ synonymous with 'destruction,' will abandon their defense of misguided teachings. Essentially, those who claimed the light of knowledge and believed themselves established in the south will be seized with terror and dread as the man of the Church triumphs over their fallacies, leaving no one to defend the pride and false teachings of heretics through royal counsel or military might.