The Role of Alliance in the Conflict
Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you… (Obad Vs 10)
These words were to Edom, the descendants of Esau, a sister nation to Israel, after its alliance with other nations in attacking Israel, the descendants of Jacob.
Alliance is not a new term in this world of ours. Of recent we know the Allied powers, and know of the Central powers of World War one. If not, we know of the Allies power and the Axis powers of World War two. If not, we know some alliances in our local regions. In today’s reading, we get to hear another alliance, not as famous as the above, but enlightening. In the former mentioned alliances, analysis have been made as of who to blame and what, but in the later, we have here an inspired analysis by the Prophet Obadiah.
The Rise and Fall of Edom
Obadiah tells us that at a point in time, Edom, a sister to Israel, was a great nation; a nation at great heights, its nest among the stars. We now know, that, that is not always the case. At times, super powers become the little powers.
Alliance with Babylon: When Brothers Become Enemies
In the days that Edom was strong, Israel was attacked by the Babylonians, and the Edomites joined the Babylonians. The Babylonians took Israel’s wealth, and the Edomites were like one of them. In the days of Israel’smisfortunes, the Edomites, rejoiced. In the days of the Israel’s calamities, the Edomites, instead of mourning, boasted. And God knows why! Why some countries rejoice in the perishing of the others. A little context:
According to the Biblical data, this was not the first time that Edomites were harsh to Israel. We know of the Edomites’ denial of a passage to Israel on their way from Egypt. (Num 20:14-21) And we know of the killing of many Israel priests, men and women, even the infants, by an Edomite named Doeg. (1Sam 22:18-22) I am young to understand the details, and so I leave it to the war analysts to tell why.
A Cycle of Violence Between Nations
But in response, Israel, during the reign of David, killed many Edomites, around 18000, and made Edomites, David’s servants. (2Sam 8:13-14) In the reign of Jehoram, the Edomites revolted, it resulted in a mass killing of Edomites, but it left Edom with their own king. (2Kings 8: 16-24) There is another Israel attack on Edom by king Amaziah, that can be found in 2Kings 14:1-7. And now the new other fight; the attack of Israel by Edom her sister.
Those are not mere stories but wars of brothers; brothers from the same womb! They were not able to pause and see, that as relatives, what they were doing was not right. (Gen 13:8)
Edomites instead, chose perpetual enmity over brotherhood, blood shed over peace, hence joining the Babylonians to destroy Israel. (Ezek 35:5, Amos 1:11-12) In the eyes of the prophet, that was a sin. It was a lack of understanding; it was a trap that Edom was set in, by her allies. (Obad Vs.7) It is not right to handover a brother in the day of calamities. Not right to boast in his distress. (Obad vs 11-14) But was Israel different?
Breaking the Cycle of Revenge
The prophet does not say that Israel is innocent! No. Israel has enough criticism of her sins elsewhere. In Obadiah, it is Edom that is examined. Edom has chosen to keep the anger, and that has reigned over the brotherhood. Hence an endless cycle of battles.
Was that a fair alliance to make? Is that the best way for the brothers to live? Edom is asked to ponder. And all other Edom (s) can ponder.
The same question stands for all the current alliances; it stands for all the ongoing battles. What are the Whys and Whats of our alliances? Why are we fighting yet brothers? Sela.
And they said back to me, keep quiet, you know nothing about politics.
I left saying, despite the thick borders, Isaac and Ishmael are brothers too.
Okay, what is the way out? They asked.
To end the cycle of revenge, one has to bear the pain of not paying back.
Is not this the time to consider ‘turning the other cheek’, among the options? (Mat 5:39)
Once in Rwanda, after genocide, the only way forward was turning the other cheek, not so, the future was nowhere to be found.