(1)        Opens with a formal announcement of a message from the Lord against Edom, and his descendants – (the nation).  “The message” – a supernatural revelation “from the Lord” and told to be a vision to the prophet.  This vision or message may have been revealed to a prophetic group - “we.” 

“An envoy” or “a messenger” suggests an ambassador sent to represent the authority from whom he was sent.  This “messenger”’ is also one of the combatants – “let us.”  We see God’s hand at work actively in the shaping of history through His envoys and arrangement of circumstances.  The nations are completely unaware of this realm in which they serve unconsciously (Is. 45:4-7).

2-4       Edom’s Character – vs.2 – “small” and “despised”

Vs. 3-4 – “Pride” – to boil up, seethe – the root of this word is used tree times in the account of Esau’s squandered birthright.  Insubordination – the proud reject authority – how can they really serve God?  Edom’s geographic location is part of the problem as they are strategically located high up and protected with a great sense of security and self-sufficiency.  They had both natural and man-made fortifications to protect them in every direction.

Although nearly invulnerable by human standards, they were laid bare before the wisdom and power of God.  Although confident: “who can bring me down?” – the Lord answers: “I will bring you down.”  This is a blunt statement that embodies the heart of the prophecy.

5-9              Edom’s Calamity

(5-6)        Jer. 49:9-10 – also confirms that Edom will be ransacked beyond comprehension.  Those who conquer and steal always leave something on the vines or in the fields, but Edom will become as though it never existed!  Total destruction!  The thoroughness of this destruction is because it is from the Lord.  There will be nothing hidden that He can not reveal.  They will loose everything because He knows where everything is. God always promised to have a remnant when bringing judgment to Israel, but no such promise is made to Edom.

(7)        Edom will be deceived by its friends.  His allies and comrades will not offer back refuge to Edom in his time of need.  Those who he helped will even turn on him, and have a part in his destruction.

(8-9)        “In that day” – denotes a specific day and time in God’s sovereign plan when He will intervene in history in judgment and salvation.  “Declares the Lord” – marks the opening of a new section showing God’s involvement in the destruction of Edom.  The failure of Edom’s traditional wisdom because of deception.  He will destroy both Edom’s “wise men” and their “men of understanding.”  They were deceived because God gave them over to deception. 

The reference to “Teman” usually points to a geographic location in this area, but in this case is representative of the entire population of Edom as a whole.  There is no certainty to the historical outcome of this prophecy concerning Edom’s demise, but a great “slaughter” is in view.