“Like a lion
Coming up
From the thickets
Of the Jordan River
Against a perennial pasture,
I will suddenly
Chase Edom
Away from it.
I will appoint over it
Whomever I choose.
Who is like me?
Who can summon me?
Who is the shepherd
That can stand before me?
Therefore hear the plan
That Yahweh has made
Against Edom!
Hear the purposes
That he has formed
Against the inhabitants
Of Teman!
Surely the little ones
Of the flock
Shall be dragged away.
Surely their fold
Shall be appalled
At their fate.”
Yahweh has a precise plan for Edom. These Edomites were like lions that come out of the thickets on the Jordan River to find a beautiful pasture land. Suddenly Yahweh would chase Edom away from this perennial green field. There is no one like Yahweh. Who could oppose him? The shepherds had no chance against Yahweh. He clearly wants to get rid of the town of Teman, the Edomite clan around the southern Edomite town of Petra. Even the little ones would be dragged away. The shepherds and the sheep would be appalled at what was happening. Clearly the power of Yahweh was apparent.