Obadiah 1:8

8 So don't be surprised" - it's God's sure Word! - "when I wipe out all sages from Edom and rid the Esau mountains of its famous wise men.

Obadiah 1:8 Meaning and Commentary

Obadiah 1:8

Shall I not in that day, saith the Lord, even destroy the wise
[men] out of Edom
When they shall be invaded by the enemy, and treacherously dealt with by their allies; so that there shall be no wise counsellors at court to give advice what proper methods should be taken at such a season; they should either be taken off by death, or their wisdom should be turned into folly, and they be rendered incapable of giving right counsel: and understanding out of the mount of Esau?
that is, men of understanding, as the Targum, should be destroyed out of Edom or Idumea, which was a mountainous country; such as were well versed in politics, or understood military affairs, and how to conduct at such a critical time; to form schemes, and concert measures, and wisely put them in execution; and to be deprived of all such must be a great loss at such a time, and add to their distress and calamity; see ( Jeremiah 49:7 ) .

Obadiah 1:8 In-Context

6 Oh, they'll take Esau apart, piece by piece, empty his purse and pockets.
7 All your old partners will drive you to the edge. Your old friends will lie to your face. Your old drinking buddies will stab you in the back. Your world will collapse. You won't know what hit you.
8 So don't be surprised" - it's God's sure Word! - "when I wipe out all sages from Edom and rid the Esau mountains of its famous wise men.
9 Your great heroes will desert you, Teman. There'll be nobody left in Esau's mountains.
10 Because of the murderous history compiled against your brother Jacob, You will be looked down on by everyone. You'll lose your place in history.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.