The revengeful nation.
The Edomites are characterized as an especially revengeful people, because they watched for their opportunity, and, when the Jews were crushed and prostrate beneath the cruel Chaldean invasion, rushed in to smite their fallen foe.
I. THE WICKED REVENGE.
1. Vengeance is presumptuous. There is a right recompense for sin, but this lies with God. "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Romans 12:19). He who seizes the weapons of vengeance usurps the authority of God.
2. Vengeance is cruel. Divine vengeance is a just punishment. There is no vindictive pleasure in it. But human vengeance springs from an evil appetite, that seeks a personal satisfaction in the sufferings of its victim. Such vengeance is distinctly wicked. Indeed, the self-elected minister of vengeance is forced into this dilemma—either his vengeance is a delight to him, or it is not. If it is a delight, the joy is wicked, devilish; if it is no delight, why does he practice it, for the plea that he is urged by a sense of public duty is delusive? Directly that becomes the motive, revenge vanishes and punishment takes its place.
3. Vengeance is unchristian. It is to be noted that this vengeful spirit was charged as a great wickedness against the Edomites. They lived in the pre-Christian days, and they were a heathen nation. Much more, then, is revenge sinful in a Christian. We have the clearer New Testament light; we have also the wonderful example of Christ to deter us from revenge. For us to behave as the Edomites is to merit their doom twice over.
4. Vengeance is mean-spirited. Apart from all the above-named considerations, when the question is approached on the lowest ground, vengeance bears a despicable aspect. The Edomites waited till the Chaldean power had overthrown Judah; then they rushed in to complete the destruction. This was behaving like the jackals, who cannot destroy big game, but who are mad to devour the carrion that the lion has left. Revenge knows no honorable laws of war. It has the degraded spirit of the assassin.
II. THE NATURAL PUNISHMENT. There is generally a resemblance between sin and its penalty. The punishment is just the fruit of the sin. Thus the vengeful conduct of the Edomites brings vengeance on the head of the vindictive people.
1. Revenge does not end a quarrel. This is the mistake of it. It is foolish and short-sighted, for, in return for its own brief, wild delight, it rouses fresh enmity and provokes retaliation. The too stern treatment of the French by the Germans left a rankling spirit of vengeance in the breasts of the defeated people. The vendetta in Corsica keeps up a feud for generations—each member on one side provoking one in return from the other side. Shylock speaks of the mutual vengeance of race-hatred, "if a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should his sufferance be by Christian example? Revenge."
2. Revenge provokes the most bitter punishment. This comes from the wronged victim. Judah takes vengeance on Edom. Possibly this happens indirectly through the Chaldean invasion predicted by Jewish prophets, or Jews may have some direct hand in the work. Vengeance makes enemies. This form of self-protection is a fatal failure. The true victory over one's enemies is by forgiveness, the heaping coals of fire on his head (Proverbs 25:21, Proverbs 25:22).