Where is Edom today in reference to Malachi 1:4-5? Are these two verses relevant still today?
God’s feelings towards the nation of Edom stand in stark contrast with his feelings toward Israel. The book of Malachi was a call to the people of Israel to love their God with all their heart, soul, strength, and might. The Israelites had turned their faith into religion. They had become preoccupied with duty and obedience. Yet, they failed even in that. So in the first part of Malachi 1, God reminds them that He loved them and He demonstrated His love by crushing the Edomites. Then in Malachi 1:4-5 He says this,
Though Edom says, “We have been beaten down, but we will return and build up the ruins”; thus says the LORD of hosts, “They may build, but I will tear down; and men will call them the wicked territory, and the people toward whom the LORD is indignant forever.” Your eyes will see this and you will say, “The LORD be magnified beyond the border of Israel!” (NASB) Malachi 1:4-5
Malachi 1:4-5 tells us that God had rejected the nation of Edom and predicted that He will be constantly at war with it. The Edomites had a history of anti-semitism. Consequently, it is not surprising that many of the Old Testament prophets spoke against this nation. The entire book of Obadiah talks only about Edom. This nation hated the Jews and sought their destruction. Therefore God destroyed them, and here in this passage predicted that they would never regain their former power.
The ancient land of Edom was located south of Israel in the territory now occupied by the nation of Jordan. However, it is important to realize that this does not mean the Jordanians are Edomites. The historical record of what happened to the Edomites is a blur. The territory occupied by the ancient Edomites extended from the southern tip of the Dead Sea and down to the Gulf of Aqaba. Their land then swept to the east.
God is constantly telling us that He loves us. In every page and passage of scripture, we are told that He loves us. It is a message that is repeated again and again in various ways. God is seeking our response. He desires a relationship with us as a friend loves a friend.