Malachi 1:4

"Whereas Edom saith, We are beaten down, but we will return and build the waste places; thus saith Jehovah of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and men shall call them the border of wickedness, and the people against whom Jehovah hath indignation forever."

The arrogant over-confidence of Edom is like that of all wicked men.

"We are beaten ... but we will return ..." This was exactly the same attitude as that of Ephraim and Samaria who "in pride and stoutness of heart" boasted:

"The bricks are fallen, but we will build with hewn stone; the sycamores are cut down, but we will put cedars in their place. Therefore Jehovah will set up on high against him the adversaries of Rezen, and will stir his enemies (Isaiah 9:10-11)."

But what is wrong with such strong determination and confidence? Nothing is wrong, except that there is no deference to God's will. God only, is able to bless the labors of men. "Except Jehovah build the house, They labor in vain that build it: Except Jehovah keep the city, The watchman waketh but in vain" (Psalms 127:1).

"Thus saith Jehovah of hosts ..." Baldwin noted that this popular title of God, "Jehovah of hosts," is found almost 300 times in the Old Testament, some 247 of these being in the prophetic books, including 91 in the last three of the minor prophets.[15] Haggai used it 14 times; Zechariah used it 53 times; and Malachi used it 24 times. What does the title mean? Who are the "hosts"?

There appear to be three basic applications of the word "hosts," a word that primarily means "armies." Although no prophet of God ever limited that thought to the armies of Israel. All the armies belong to God. Jesus spoke of "God's armies" (Matthew 22:7) which would execute judgment upon Jerusalem; and in that instance "his armies" were those of pagan Rome.

Also, there are some usages of the word which show that, "The `hosts' were angelic beings," a glimpse of innumerable angels under God's control being afforded in Hebrews 12:22.

Again, as indicated in a comparison of Genesis 2:1; Isaiah 40:26; and Isaiah 45:12,13, "The created `hosts,' the stars were primarily in mind."[16] Significantly, there would appear to be a similar multiple meaning in the words regarding Christ in Romans 9:5, where the proper translation is "Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen." "Over all" in this passage means "over all things,"[17] an expression comprehensive enough to include both the animate and inanimate creations, which is exactly the implication found in the title "Jehovah of hosts." What hosts? All of them! Armies, nations, peoples, suns, stars, and galaxies, all of the infinite myriads of creation are God's. From the waving of a blade of grass to the explosion of galaxies, all things are of God (and of Christ). Amen.

"Men shall call them the border of wickedness ..." "Wickedness gives its name to Edom's border, as in Zechariah's vision it was removed and settled in Babylon."[18] As we would say, Edom's border is where wickedness begins!

"Against whom Jehovah hath indignation forever ..." Surely, the historical record of that incorrigibly wicked people must be seen as the proof of this prophecy. "As a matter of record, Edom never returned to her former status or territory ... It is of more than passing interest that the family of the Herods of Christ's time was descended from these same Idumaeans."[19] Keil's comment is also true:

"The threat in verse 4 is equivalent to a declaration that Edom will never recover its former prosperity and power. This was soon fulfilled, the independence of Edom being destroyed, and their land made an eternal desert, especially from the times of the Maccabees onwards."[20]