Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"The burden against Dumah"
Text: Isaiah 21:11
ANOTHER NAME FOR EDOM
Edom was known by two other names. Sometimes it was called “Seir” (Mount Seir). It was even called “Dumah” prophetically.
“The burden against Dumah.
He calls to me out of Seir,
‘Watchman, what of the night?
Watchman, what of the night?’
The watchman said,
‘The morning comes, and also the night.
If you will inquire, inquire;
Return! Come back!'”
Isaiah 21:11-12
1. The word “Dumah”.
a) It means “deadly silent”.
b) It is associated with “death”.
c) In death, there is total silence.
2. A poetic reference.
a) The word “Dumah” was mentioned in the following text:
“Unless the LORD had been my help
My soul would soon have settled in ‘silence’.”
Psalm 94:17
b) This text is a reference to the silence of Death.
3. Edom was called “Dumah” in this prophecy against it.
a) The watchman was asked to pay attention to “Dumah”.
b) Seir, the other name was used.
c) This prophecy was a word of warning concerning the demise (Dumah)
of Seir (Edom).
4. The symbol of “Morning” and “Night”.
a) The word “Morning” represents:
i) A new day of hope.
ii) A new beginning.
b) The word “Evening” represents:
i) The opposite of “Morning”.
ii) It represents great trouble.
iii) It can also mean “the end of hope”.
5. There was both.
a) Morning Hope.
b) Evening Hopelessness.
c) Both would happen to Edom.
6. Further Inquiry
a) This is enjoined.
b) Has Edom (Seir) come to its Dumah?
c) All who are concerned are invited and encouraged to seek greater knowledge.
d) The fate and future of Edom was not touched on by Isaiah.