The shortest book in the Old Testament, on what happens to those who gloat at a brother's ruin.
The shortest book in the Old Testament delivers a concentrated oracle against Edom for its pride and its betrayal of brother-nation Judah during Jerusalem's fall. Edom stood by, gloated, looted, and cut off refugees while Babylon destroyed Jerusalem. God promises Edom's complete destruction and the restoration of Israel: 'The kingdom shall be the LORD's.'
Edom (descended from Esau) and Israel (descended from Jacob) shared a fraternal relationship that made Edom's betrayal especially grievous. The historical trigger was likely Jerusalem's destruction in 586 BC, when Edomites participated in the aftermath. The Nabateans eventually displaced the Edomites from their territory, fulfilling this oracle.
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