Who is Edom Today?
Sylvia Halpert wrote:
Shalom Yair,
The following question from a pastor and the tentative answer are from
the Gathering Ten Tribes FaceBook page. Can you kindly provide a more
specific answer for this gentleman and help enlighten us all?
Thank you very much,
Gathering Ten Tribes
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Dean Apel: When in history are the Edomites/Idumeans/Esauites
mentioned after 70 AD? References please.
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Gathering Ten Tribes [1]
Dean Apel [2] We will try to get more specific references for you.
Meanwhile, Yair Davidiy traces the history of Esau's descendants to
the leadership of major countries. They were few individuals but very
important to the character of the nation. Another book title "Esau,
Edomites Today" says: A good portion of the Israelites are to be found
in the Galut [Exile] of Edom, Judah was amongst Edomites in the
physical sense, whereas Joseph (the Ten Tribes) is still a captive in
the psychological, social, and spiritual spheres. Descendants of Edom
include the historical founders of Russia, China, and Japan. Esau was
important in the genesis of ancient Sparta, of early Rome, of Venice,
and of Germany, and of numerous other nations. Esau was also known as
Edom. Edomites are to be found amongst many other peoples including
those of the west. Input from Edom may well be present in the
genealogies of many of us today. The Edomites have their own national
characteristics through which they may be recognized. Esau has an
existence parallel to that of the Israelites from the Ten Tribes. He
is similar to them and often neighbors them. Esau bears an everlasting
implacable instinctive grudge against Judah and Joseph (Amos 1:11).
The Bible prophesies that in the End Times the Ten Tribes led by the
Tribe of Joseph will be engaged in a total war against Esau (0badiah
1:18).
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Dean Apel [4]
Gathering Ten Tribes [5] Thank you for your kind response. As I wait
for more specific references, I have three separate follow-up
questions. (1) Is it possible that Obadiah 1 was fulfilled in 70 AD
when the remainder of the Idumeans and Hasmoneans converted to
Judaism? (2) If not, how will we know when the Edomites are being
destroyed if they do not constitute a kingdom now? (3) Do you mean
Sparta, Rome, Venice, Germany, Russian, China and Japan will all be
destroyed utterly by fire as a fulfillment of Obadiah1?
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Brit-Am Replies:
(1). Most of the Prophecies concerning Edom are for the End Times. Where the Prophecies can be traced to actual historical events that occurred in the past there too they may also be ascribed to the future. Prophecies often play themselves out several times over in some way or other.
It should be noticed that the Edomites constituted numerous different groups and peoples. The Idumaeans of history were only a portion of them.
Some of the Idumaeans converted to a type of Judaism. According to the Biblical Commentator, Isaac ben Judah Abarbanel 1437-1508, these converts later gave rise to Christianity or to offshoots of Christianity.
(2) We will know when the enemies of Judah and/or Israel (the Ten Tribes) are being destroyed. If other points fit the reality we may assume that those being destroyed are Edomites in whole or in part.
(3) We said that the forerunners of Sparta, Rome, Venice, Germany, Russian, China and Japan, were Edomites or (in most cases) their earlier foundational kingdoms may be attributed to Edom. For some of them the Edomites among them may have been only a numerical minority. In others most of them are Edomites.
Amongst the Edomites themselves there exist different types.
Most Edomites are similar to Israelites. It is forbidden to oppress them and after three generations they may be accepted into the Community of Israel.
Deuteronomy (NASB) 33:
7 "YOU SHALL NOT LOATHE AN EDOMITE, FOR HE IS YOUR BROTHER; YOU SHALL NOT LOATHE AN EGYPTIAN, BECAUSE YOU WERE A STRANGER IN HIS LAND. 8 THE SONS OF THE THIRD GENERATION WHO ARE BORN TO THEM MAY ENTER THE ASSEMBLY OF THE LORD.
This does not apply to Amalekites (who were also descended from Esau-Edom) who were thoroughly bad though here too (according to tradition) there may have been exceptions.
Exodus (NASB) 33:
14 THEN THE LORD SAID TO MOSES, "WRITE THIS IN [M]A BOOK AS A MEMORIAL AND [N]RECITE IT TO JOSHUA, THAT I WILL UTTERLY WIPE OUT THE MEMORY OF AMALEK FROM UNDER HEAVEN."
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