Book of Obadiah - Chapter 1 - Verse 18

The verse "And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken it." speaks to the divine judgment of God upon the descendants of Esau, also known as Edom. Esau, the brother of Jacob, symbolizes those who have turned away from God and His ways. In contrast, the houses of Jacob and Joseph represent those who remain faithful to God and are called to be instruments of His justice. The imagery of fire and flame denotes the consuming power of God's judgment, which will ultimately lead to the destruction of the house of Esau. This verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of rejecting God and the importance of remaining steadfast in faith.

This verse from the book of Obadiah speaks of the impending judgment on the house of Esau. The theological interpretation of this verse suggests that the house of Jacob and the house of Joseph, representing the righteous and the chosen people of God, will be like a cleansing fire that consumes the wickedness of the house of Esau, symbolizing the enemies of God. The metaphor of fire and flame portrays the destructive and purifying nature of God's judgment. The word study reveals that the Hebrew word for "devour" can also mean to consume entirely, emphasizing the complete eradication of the evil forces. The phrase "there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau" signifies the thoroughness of this judgment, leaving no trace of their existence. Ultimately, this verse underscores the sovereignty of God and the certainty of His righteous judgment.