Jeremiah 49:1-22

“Behold, like a lion coming up from the jungle of the Jordan against a perennial pasture, I will suddenly make him run away from her. And I will appoint over her whomever I choose. For who is like me? Who will summon me? What shepherd can stand before me?” (Jeremiah 49:19, ESV)

The nation of Edom descended from Esau, Jacob’s older brother. Because Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of lentils, Esau or Edom is a type or symbol of the flesh—the sinful human nature that is in rebellion against God.

Edom thought herself to be impregnable. They had built Sela as their capital city. “Sela” means “rock”. For centuries this has been identified with a massive rocky outcrop behind Petra in modern Jordan, that towers nearly 1,000 feet above the level of Petra and 3,700 feet above sea level. About 300 years after this prophecy, the Nabataeans conquered Edom. They converted the valley to the north, enclosed by mountain walls, into the amazing rock-cut city of Petra.

Now the LORD pictured Himself as a lion coming from the jungle against Edom. The king or shepherd of Edom would run away from his flock. Then the LORD would appoint whomever He chose (probably referring to the Nabataeans). The Edomites thought that no one could stand against them. In reality, they could not stand against the LORD. God would destroy the nation of Edom. While Egypt, Moab and Ammon were given promises of restoration in the millennial kingdom, no such promise was made to Edom. Therefore, they ceased to be a distinct national group.

This stands as a powerful lesson against those who would live after the flesh or exalt themselves in pride.

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18, NKJV)