Chapter 27: I Stood in the Sheep Gate of Bozrah (Buseirah), the Biblical Capital of Ancient Edom Located in Present-day Jordan:

I Stood in the Sheep Gate of Bozrah (Micah 2:12-13) – the Ancient Capital of the Edomites located in present-day Jordan.  The land of Edom was the country inhabited by Esau’s descendants.  Founded by Esau, brother of Jacob, Patriarch of Israel, Esau despised his birthright and sold his birthright to Jacob for one morsel of meat and that is why God said, “Yet I loved Jacob (Israel); but in comparison with My love for Jacob I have hated Esau (Edom) Malachi 1:1-3

Because Esau and Jacob were brothers, the Edomites can be thought of as the “inherited adversaries” of the Israelites.

Because my Apostolic Gifting is a generational gifting, I want to make note that over 350 years ago my Scottish Foremother Lilias Skene, whose husband (my Scottish Forefather) and their son (the line I came through) were imprisoned because they were Quakers, wrote a poem calling on the Quakers to join in the Lamb’s War in defense of the Quakers who were being put in prison and persecuted to the point of death by the Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen Scotland. The following is an excerpt from that poem:

….. The Lord will bath His sword in Edoms blood

And vengeance recompense on all her brood

Who have engaged in this holy war.

And followers of the Lamb accounted are.

Reference:  Choose Life!  Quaker Metaphor and Modernity.  George Fox University – Volume 13/Issue 2/Article 3

The significance of the poem is that over 350 years ago, before I went to Edom, my Scottish Forebear wrote of Edom.  Needless to say, it wasn’t just happenstance that the Lord sent me to Bozrah/Buseirah, the Capital of Ancient Edom.

I will come back to Micah 2:12-13 and the Sheep Gate of Bozrah/modern-day Buseirah.  However, at this point I want to focus on the following excerpt from my Scottish Foremother’s poem she wrote over 350 years ago because her reference to Edom is from Isaiah 63:1-6.

….. The Lord will bath His sword in Edoms blood

And vengeance recompense on all her brood

Who have engaged in this holy war.

And followers of the Lamb accounted are.

Isaiah 63:1-6 ¹ Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bozrah, he who is splendid in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.” ² Why is your apparel red, and your garments like his who treads in the winepress?    ³ “I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with me; I trod  them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath; their lifeblood spattered on my garments, and stained all my apparel.  ⁴ For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and My year of redemption had come. ⁵ I looked, but there was no one to help; I was appalled, but there was no one to uphold; so My own arm brought me salvation, and my wrath upheld me. ⁶ I trampled down the peoples in my anger; I made them drunk in my wrath, and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth.” ESV

When traveling back to Jerusalem from Buseirah, I wore a dress that was symbolic of the crimson garments and the blood spattered garment that the Prophet Isaiah wrote about.  Isaiah asked, Who is this that comes from Edom, in Crimsoned Garments from Bozrah, he who is splendid in his apparel, marching in the Greatness of his Strength? Why is your apparel red, and your garments like his who treads in the winepress?

Glorious Apparel:  It is not unusual for me to wear clothing that is symbolic of the apparel that is described in the Scriptures that the Lord quickens me to read when I'm on the land – for example, the crimson garments worn by the one coming from Bozrah the Prophet Isaiah spoke about in Isaiah 63:1-6.  And, the dress I am wearing in the following picture in front of the Mariam Hotel in Jordan, as well as the longer one that I'm wearing standing in front of the hotel where we were staying at in Jerusalem, is symbolic of and in acknowledgment of the Victory over their enemies the Prophet Isaiah wrote about in Isaiah 63 – the Victory the Lord brought His people during Biblical times and the Victory we walk in today in the Name of His Son - Jesus Christ! 

It's hard to tell from the picture - however, the dress I'm wearing has pink and red flowers sprinkled all over the fabric - symbolic of the Lord trampling His enemies whereby His garments are stained with their blood.  Isaiah 63:1-6

After we left Bozrah, we remained overnight in Jordan where we stayed at the Mariam Hotel located in the valley where Mount Nebo is located.  The following day we went back to the Jordanian/Israeli border to cross back into Israel – hence the garments that I wore were symbolic of the garments in Isaiah 63. 

Back to the Sheep Gate of Bozrah – modern-day Buseirah located in Jordan:

The Sheep Gate of Bozrah (Buseirah):  On two different occasions when I went to Israel I traveled to modern-day Jordan, the land of the ancient Moabites and Ammonites and I Stood in the Sheep Gate of Bozrah (Micah 2:12-13) – the Ancient Capital of the Edomites located in present-day Jordan.  Founded by Esau, brother of Jacob, Patriarch of Israel Esau despised his birthright and sold his birthright to Jacob for one morsel of meat and why God said “Yet I loved Jacob (Israel); but in comparison with My love for Jacob I have hated Esau (Edom) Malachi 1:1-3

Hence, the Gate of the Enemy!

Hebrews 12:14-17 ¹⁴ Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: ¹⁵ Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; ¹⁶ Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. ¹⁷ For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. KJV

Genesis 25:29-34 ²⁹ And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: ³⁰ And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. ³¹ And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. ³² And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? ³³ And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. ³⁴ Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright. KJV

Malachi 1:1-3 ¹The oracle (burdensome message) of the word of the Lord to Israel through [My messenger] Malachi.  ² “I have loved you,” says the Lord. ^]But you say, “How and in what way have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I loved Jacob (Israel); ³but [in comparison with My love for Jacob] I have hated Esau (Edom), and I have made his mountains a wasteland, and have given his inheritance to the jackals of the wilderness.” Amplified Bible

However, in the End Times, God has a very special Kingdom purpose for the “Sheep Gate of Bozrah.”  The Lord will Stand in the Gate of the Enemy and use the “Gate of the Enemy” for a Kingdom Purpose.

In the End Times, Jesus Christ in His role as Shepherd will lead the Remnant of Israel, which will include the True Church who He likens to the “Sheep of Bozrah,” through the Sheep Gate of Bozrah to Safety.

I’m including the following pictures because Micah 2:12-13 speaks of a “Gate” that the remnant of Israel will pass through.  And, when I passed through the Gate at Bozrah/Buseirah it was a foreshadowing of the Remnant that will eventually pass through the Gate of Bozrah in the End Times.

Micah 2:12-13 ¹² I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.  ¹³ The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their King shall pass before them, and the Lord on the head of them.  KJV

Micah 2:12-13

¹² “I shall most certainly assemble all of you, O Jacob;

I shall surely gather the remnant of Israel.

I shall bring them together like sheep in the fold [multiplying the nation];

Like a flock in the midst of its pasture.

The place will swarm with many people and hum loudly with noise.

¹³ “The breaker [the Messiah, who opens the way] shall go up before them [liberating them].

They will break out, pass through the gate and go out;

So their King goes on before them,

The Lord at their head.” Amplified Bible

The spiritual dimensions of Buseirah/Bozrah are profound! 

A Triumphant Deliverance – the Restoration of Israel and the Church from Captivity in the End Times:  The Sheep of Bozrah (modern-day Buseirah, Jordan) are Symbolic of Israel's "Spiritual" Remnant which would include the Remnant of the True Church.

In John 10:16 we read:  “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”  Needless to say, the true Believers are the other sheep that Christ is talking about.  In other words, the true Believers have a place among the sheep of Bozrah/Buseirah – the Remnant of Israel.

John 10:14-16 ¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me,

¹⁵ just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.

¹⁶ I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.  NLT

Bozrah/Buseirah will be the scene of a magnificent "Break-out" of God's covenant people. 

Bozrah, whose name means "sheep pen," is a Messianic Scripture and it is only when Jesus Christ, who is the door of the sheep pen (John 10:7) and the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) returns that these particular Scriptures will reach their fulfillment. 

According to Strong's Concordance, the word "Bozrah" is H1223 and is from H1219.  According to H1223 the word Bozrah is an enclosure, i.e. sheep-fold.  And according to H1219 which is the root word "Bozrah" means "fenced" or "fenced up,” etc.  Hebrew Strong's Number: 1224:  the same as <H1223> (botsrah); Botsrah, a place in Edom :- Bozrah.

Bozrah/Buseirah is not a Tourist Site:  Interestingly, when I tried to plan my first trip to Bozrah/Buseirah in 2013, the tour agency told the Jewish man that was trying to help me find someone in Jordan who could take me to Bozrah/Buseirah that no such place existed.  Yet, I remained determined to travel to Bozrah/Buseirah because Micah 2 and Jeremiah 63 both spoke of Bozrah – therefore I knew that it still existed.  Therefore, I told the Jewish man who was helping us with the Jewish Travel Agency that I was not going to Jordan until the Jewish Travel Agency working with the Jordanian Travel Agency found Buseirah.  Then, after much going back and forth, the Jordanian Travel Agency started to ask their drivers about Bozrah/Buseirah and one of the drivers for the Jordanian Travel Agency had a friend who actually lived in Buseirah and had taken the driver to the ancient site of Buseirah as several Universities, including Dr. Joe Greene of the Harvard University Semitic Museum, had been excavating the ancient site of Buseirah. 

They explained to me that Buseirah was not a tourist site and that I probably should reconsider going there; however, if I insisted they would arrange for this particular driver to take me if I wanted to go to Buseirah.  So to Bozrah/Buseirah I went.

And, my determination to find Bozrah/Buseirah and my insistence that Bozrah was in Jordan because that was what God's Word revealed – was a testimony to the Jewish man and his family that I have become friends with, especially when I came back and showed them the pictures of Bozrah/Buseirah – the gate, the fence and the sign.

There are several reasons why I document my Walk with the Lord, including my journey to Buseirah, Jordan in September 2013 and October 2014.  First of all, the Lord gave me the understanding that I was to document everything that He has me to walk out.  He is not a God of confusion – He is a God of order.  There is a Kingdom purpose in everything that He has you and I to do.  And, when I share with a fellow Believer what the Lord has called me to – I want to provide them with the necessary documentation and Biblical references so that they can be a good Berean (Acts 17:11) and search the Scriptures to ensure them that what I am doing is based on Biblical principles. 

Acts 17:11  ¹¹ These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.  KJV

The following is a Biblical Basis of why Documentation is Important

An Apostolic Sign:  The Bozrah/Buseirah Gate in this  Chapter is symbolic of the “Sheep Gate” in Micah 2

The Biblical Basis as to why the above Documentation is Important:  Documentation is important as it confirms what I am saying is true.  A picture of me standing in the doorway of the Iranian Embassy, a copy of the Invitation inviting me to the Iranian Embassy on May 22, 2000, a copy of the envelope with the postmark of May 15, 2000 on the envelope the invitation came in which was eight days before Prime Minister Barak even made the decision on May 22, 2000 to begin the withdrawal that same evening, documentation that confirms July 7, 2000 was the date of the expectant withdrawal, the CNN documentation that confirms May 22, 2000 as the beginning of the actual withdrawal, etc enable anyone to connect the dots and confirm that what I am saying is true.  Anytime we say, “the Lord told me,” then people need to be able to know that what we are saying is really what the Lord told us. 

God will always confirm what He asks of those who are Apostolic.  Hence, the pictures of me standing in the “Bozrah (Buseirah) Gate.”

As mentioned, I went to Bozrah on two different occasions.  I want to start with the trip to Buseirah in October 2014 then include documentation from my first trip to Buseirah in September 2013, which gives a more detailed account of my going to Jordan.

The Bozrah Breakout:  Again, Bozrah means "Sheepfold" and it is the Sheep Pen of the Messiah.  John 10 reveals that Christ Jesus is the Door of the Sheep Pen and He is the Good Shepherd.  And, when Jesus Christ returns - He will return as the Breaker at the Sheepfolds of Bozrah.

Mount of Olives:  Zechariah 14 reveals that when the Lord returns He will stand on the Mount of Olives and split the Mount of Olives in half creating a valley so that the remnant of Israel can escape their enemies.  And, many of us believe the escape will be to Bozrah.  In other words, the "break out" at Bozrah will take place "after" Christ's return to the Mount of Olives. 

Zechariah 14:4-7  ⁴ And His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. ⁵ And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. ⁶ And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: ⁷ But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light. KJV

Micah 2:12- ¹²I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men.  ¹³The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their King shall pass before them, and the Lord on the head of them.  KJV

Again, as a forerunner of the Remnant, "prophetically" I went in through the gate (Micah 2:13) and back out.  And, at that time I spoke a creative word from Scripture into the spiritual realm.  Even though I will not be living when this ingathering takes place – I know that I will have offspring who will be living when this ingathering actually takes place.

Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, will return as the Breaker at the Sheepfolds of Bozrah:  To understand the profound significance of Micah 2:12, which is clearly a Messianic passage, one must let Scripture interpret Scripture.  In other words, what does Scripture reveal to us about the topic of sheep, sheep pens and Shepherds as a whole.  Especially given that John 10:7-11 reveals that Jesus Christ is the Door for the sheep and that He is the Good Shepherd we must interpret Micah 2:12-13 in light of John 10 as well as what the rest of the Scriptures say on the topic to understand the spiritual profoundness of Micah 2:12-13.  Only when we put together all the Scriptures on Bozrah, sheep and shepherds, will we allow the Bible to interpret itself and give us a complete, logical and reasonable understanding of Micah 2:12-13.  And, it is only then that we will have the profound "Spiritual Understanding" of the sheep pen at Bozrah as to how it relates to the Remnant. 

Pause and Praise God:  For example, Isaiah 63:1-6 reveals that the Messiah's garments are the dyed garments from Bozrah - sprinkled with the blood of His enemies and Revelation 19:13-15 reveals that the Messiah's robe was dipped in the blood of his foes.  It's obvious that John's description in Revelation 19:13 is taken from Isaiah 63:1-3.  The connection between Isaiah 63 and Revelation 19 is profound - Selah - Pause and calmly think about that - pause and calmly consider that both passages of Scriptures speak of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.  Pause and Praise God that what the Messiah begins in Isaiah 63:1-6 He brings to completion in Revelation 19:13-15.  

My Visions:  In 1994 I had the first of three visions and in each one I was standing among white stones with my hands lifted to the Lord - just as pictured below.  And, just as the picture below reveals, in my vision, I had a panoramic view of an extensive area in all directions.  However, at that time, little did I know that the vision was of Bozrah, Jordan.  It was not until I actually travelled to Bozrah, Jordan in September 2013 that I realized Bozrah, Jordan was the geographical area in my vision.  And, now the Lord was revealing the spiritual aspects of that same vision.

A Panoramic view in the Spiritual Realm:  When we examine all the Scriptures that pertain to Bozrah and consider the sequence of events as they unfold, for example, what Christ begins in Micah 2 He will bring to a completion as told by John in Revelation 19, then and only then will the true Church have a panoramic view in the spiritual realm of how Bozrah pertains to the "true" Church and is yet to be fulfilled by the return of the Messiah.  And, for those of us who are "forerunners," the Lord will always give us a panoramic view in the spiritual realm of whatever it is that He wants us to understand and spiritually walk out.  

Taking the kingdom by force (Matthew 11:12) and The woman in the wilderness (Revelation 12) are two more Scriptures that help us to understand how Micah 2:12-13 relates to Believers. 

Taking the Kingdom by Force

As the Lord directs us and in the Name and Power of Christ Jesus and by His Authority, Believers must take the Kingdom by force, and in doing so we Dislodge the Geographical Principalities and their Strongholds, including those at Bozrah,  placing them under the feet of Jesus.

Taking the Kingdom by Force: 

Matthew 11:12-15  ¹² And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. ¹³ For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. ¹⁴ And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. ¹⁵ He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. KJV

Matthew 11:12 is certainly a passage of Scripture that is subject to more than one interpretation.  However, I believe the key to understanding the spiritual aspects of Matthew 11:12-14 is Matthew's reference to Elias in verse 14.  We know from Luke 1:17 that John represents Elijah in spirit and power.  And, we also know that Elijah's ministry dealt with pulling down the Baals in order to turn the hearts back to Yahweh.  Therefore, I believe that for the Church to "take the Kingdom by Force" we too must pull down the principalities and their strongholds and place them under the feet of Jesus.  Because, as 1 Corinthians 15:24-45 reveals, only when all the enemy has been placed under the feet of Jesus will the end come. 

1 Corinthians 15:24-25  ²⁴ Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. ²⁵ For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. KJV

And, we say "Come Lord Jesus Come"!

Pulling down Spiritual Strongholds of the enemy: 

2 Corinthians 10:4-6  ⁴ (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) ⁵ Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; ⁶ And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.  KJV

Daniel 10:13-21 reveals that there are geographical principalities.  And, one way that Spiritual Strongholds are spiritually pulled down is when Believers actually go to a specific geographical area at the Lord's direction - then the geographical strongholds of the enemy are dislodged and cast to the earth (Revelation 12), which brings us to the Woman in the Wilderness.

Bozrah is a Place of Safety for the end time Church

Many of us believe that Bozrah may be the very Wilderness that the Lord takes the Woman to - to protect her from the face of the Serpent - Revelation 12:13-17

The Woman in the Wilderness: 

Revelation 12:12-17 ¹² Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. ¹³ And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. ¹⁴ And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. ¹⁵ And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. ¹⁶ And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. ¹⁷ And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. KJV

And, it is here in the wilderness that the woman will reach a spiritual maturity.  Unlike Eve, here the woman will be free from the deception of Satan and witchcraft.

Following is a commentary from Matthew Henry:

Micah 2:  After threatenings of wrath, the chapter here concludes, as is usual in the prophets, with promises of mercy, which were in part fulfilled when the Jews returned out of Babylon, and had their full accomplishment in the kingdom of the Messiah. Their grievances shall be all redressed. 1. Whereas they were dispersed, they shall be brought together again, and shall jointly receive the tokens of God's favour to them, and shall have communion with each other and comfort in each other (v. 12): "I will surely assemble, O Jacob! all of thee, all that belong to thee, all that are named of the house of Jacob (v. 7) that are now expelled your country, v.10. I will bring you together again, and not one of you shall be lost, not one of you shall be missing. I will surely gather the remnant of Israel, that remnant that is designed and reserved for salvation; they shall be brought to incorporate in one body. I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah." Sheep are inoffensive and sociable creatures; they shall be as the flock in the midst of their fold, where they are safe under the shepherd's eye and care; and they shall make great noise (as numerous flocks and herds do, with their bleating and lowing) by reason of the multitude of men (for the sheep are men, as the prophet explains this comparison, Ezekiel 34:31), not by reason of their strifes and contentions, but by reason of their great numbers. This was accomplished when Christ by His gospel gathered together in one all the children of God that were scattered abroad, and united both Jews and Gentiles in one fold, and under one Shepherd, when all the complaint was that the place was too strait for them-that was the noise, by reason of their multitude (Isaiah 49:19, 20), when there were some added to the church from all parts of the world, and all men were drawn to Christ by the attractive power of his cross, which shall be done yet more and more, and perfectly done, when he shall send forth his angels to gather in his elect from the four winds. 2. Whereas God had seemed to desert them, and cast them off, now he will own them, and head them, and help them through all the difficulties that are in the way of their return and deliverance (v. 13): the breaker has come up before them, to break down all opposition, and clear the road for them; and under his guidance they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, the door of escape out of their captivity, and have gone out by it with courage and resolution, having Omnipotence for their van-guard. Their King shall pass before them, to head them in the way, even Jehovah (he was their king) on the head of them, as he was on the head of the armies of Israel when they followed the pillar of cloud and fire through the wilderness and when he appeared to Joshua as captain of the Lord's host. Christ is the church's King; He is Jehovah; he heads them, passes before them, brings them out of the land of their captivity, brings them into the land of their rest. He is the breaker, that broke through them, that rent the veil, and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. The learned bishop Pearson applies it to the resurrection of Christ, by which he obtained the power and became the pattern of our resurrection. The breaker has gone up before us out of the grave, and has carried away its gates, as Samson did Gaza's, bar and all, and by that breach we go out. 

End of Commentary from Matthew Henry

Before I go to Psalm 60 and how it relates to Bozrah as well as my own personal life, I want to comment further on the strongholds of the enemy because not everyone understands spiritual strongholds.  And, interestingly, according to Luke 10:21 not everyone is meant to understand the strongholds of the enemy and how they are pulled down.  And, that is something that everyone who is called to this ministry must understand - and that is - not everyone will understand us or our ministry.  We must know who we are in the Lord – and I know that those of us who have been to the mountain top and seen the Glory of the Lord – we are not at a disadvantage with a man or woman with an argument or opinion or who does not understand spiritual warfare.

Not Everyone Understands the Strongholds of the Enemy – nor are they supposed to (Luke 10:17-21).  Luke 10:17-24 reveals that there are those of us who are called to a specific type of Spiritual Warfare and also reveals why we are not understood by others. 

Satan doesn't want the Church to believe that he really exists or to understand the authority we have over him in the Name of Jesus – because when every power, rule, authority, principality, demon and Satan himself has "completely fallen" and made inoperative – in other words fallen under the feet of Jesus – then "The End Cometh" 1 Corinthians 15:24-28

I believe that Luke 10:1-24 helps us to understand at least one of the reasons "why" those of us who understand the spiritual behind the natural are often misunderstood and why Satan doesn't want the Body of Believers to believe that he really does exist. 

Man's Spiritual Enemy & the Law of Double Reference: Biblically speaking there is always a spiritual dimension to the earthly. One is not inconsistent with the other as one cannot exist without the other. And all throughout the Bible we find a Biblical principle that came to be known as the "Law of Double Reference.” For example, in many passages of the Bible the Lord addresses a "Visible" creature while at the same time He addresses an "Invisible" creature who is using the "Visible" creature as a tool.  In other words, two creatures are involved in the same passage - one visible - the other invisible.  For example, in the account of the temptation of Adam and Eve, Satan (the invisible) used the serpent (the visible) as a tool to hide behind. And, for that reason there is a spiritual nature of the serpent that we should be aware of.  Not only is the serpent man’s natural enemy – the serpent also represents man’s “Spiritual Enemy.”  Needless to say, it is significant that both the animal and Satan were two dominant entities in the Adamic dispensation and for that reason the spiritual connection or relationship between Satan and animals is of importance.

For example, animals in the Bible are often used figuratively to describe the nature of a human being as well as Satan, the demonic and principalities.  When a human being was compared to an animal it was because they both shared the same traits.  For example, a fox is used figuratively of the antichrist or false prophet.  A fox is cunning, selfish and destructive and it was because of the fox’s attributes that Jesus compared Herod to a fox. 

Luke 13:31-32 ³¹ The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. ³² And He said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. KJV

Another example of "double reference" is when Jesus Christ addressed Peter as Satan - Matthew 16:23.

And, we still see Satan (the invisible) using things in the natural realm (the visible) as his tools.  For example, we often hear America (the visible) described as a "World Power" meaning that America is powerful enough to affect the entire world by its influence or actions. Well, while that may be true, it is only a partial truth. In other words, there is an invisible world power behind America's visible world power.

According to John 12:31,Satan (the invisible) is the "Ruler of this world.” In other words, according to Scripture, Satan (the invisible) is behind "all visible" world powers - and these visible world powers are nothing more than tools of Satan. More to the point, "all world powers" are under the influence of Satan to one degree or another to further his agenda.  More to the point, "Satan is The World Power.”  But like all world powers who rise to power only to fall - Satan's world power is limited as well, and Satan's power of influence is over "unbelievers"- not Believers, at least Believers who are not in willful sin. 1 John 5:18-19 reveals that the whole world (of unbelievers) lies in the power of the evil one - meaning the unbeliever is easily influenced by Satan to do his will - to follow Satan's agenda. On the other hand, verse 18 reveals that the wicked one does not touch those born of God and who do not sin.

Again, John 12:31 reveals that Satan is the "ruler of this world" and 2 Corinthians 4:4 reveals that Satan is god of this world - meaning Satan has a kingdom.  Hence, Satan is a "World Power.”  In other words, "Ruler of this world" and "god of this world" are not just frivolous titles - they reveal that to some degree the Lord has given Satan the capability and authority to rule over all nations - that Satan is able to influence the mindset of the majority of people.  I say "to some degree" because the Lord is still sovereign and Satan can only operate within the boundaries set by the Lord. For example, while Scriptures, such as Ephesians 2:2; 2 Timothy 2:26 and 1 John 5:19, reveals that unbelievers are under the influence of Satan: - Colossians 1:13 reveals that Believers are no longer under the rule of Satan.

But, just as Satan hid behind the serpent in the Garden of Eden, Satan still prefers to remain hidden (invisible). For example, Satan is the only world power whose main strategy is to influence people through deception, including the Church, that neither he nor the Kingdom of Darkness really exist.  And, Luke 10 is one of the Scriptures that can shed light as to "why" Satan wants to remain "invisible" - because if the Church believes he really does exist then they will take authority over him and his followers, which would weaken his kingdom of darkness.  On the other hand, if he can deceive Believers that he doesn't really exist, then no one will take authority over him or be a threat to his kingdom.  And, I believe that the teaching of the 70 that Jesus sent out in Luke 10:17-24 is among those teachings that are important to the advancement of God’s Kingdom and another Biblical example of forceful men taking the Kingdom by force (Matthew 11:12-15).

For those of us who are led by the Holy Spirit we know very well that we have the same adversary that Adam and Eve had and if we do not take authority over our adversary in the Name of Jesus – then to some degree or other he will come to kill, steal and destroy within our households.

Acts 7:25 reveals that Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. Likewise, it still holds true today that the Brethren often do not understand the anointing and call on the lives of other individuals.  And because of that our identity must abide in the Lord alone.  As long as the Lord understands my walk with Him, it is not necessary for others to understand. 

For example, Luke 10:17-24 reveals that there are those of us who are called to a specific type of Spiritual Warfare and why we are not understood by others.  Verse 21 reveals that the truths of Luke 10:1-24 were not revealed to everyone and sadly we see this in the Body of Christ itself, and I believe that it is due to the arrogance, mixture and compromise that we see in, not all, but many Churches. 

Notice that in verse 1 that it was only those that Jesus “appointed” that were sent two-by-two ahead of Him to every town and place where He was about to go.  In other words not everyone was/is “appointed” for this particular “calling.”  Furthermore, we know that the Holy Spirit gives gifts to the Body of Christ as He wills - and one of the gifts is the "Distinguishing of Spirits" 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.  And, this particular gift enables us to distinguish whether or not someone is a false teacher, or when someone is speaking in their flesh; or when someone is under the influence of a demonic spirit - all areas where discernment is especially needed.  This particular gift enables us to distinguish outward appearances from inward realities - to discern the true motives of someone's heart.  In other words, this particular gifting enables us to distinguish between (1) the Holy Spirit, (2) the spirit of man who operates in his flesh, and (3) Satanic spirits.  And, when someone has this particular gift "they react to the circumstances.”  And, those Believers who discern and understand the spiritual behind the natural are very sensitive to this gifting.

Nor did Jesus rebuke the 70 (or 72 depending on the translation) when they returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy Name (Luke 10:17).  Rather, in verse 18 Jesus responds by stating that He had beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven indicating that because the devils were subject to the 70 in the Name of Jesus that the war in the heavenlies was suffering defeat (Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (According to Strong's - the Hebrew meaning of the word "high" means "heavenly" or "in heaven" - and that is why other translations, including the NKJV reads  "heavenly places")

This is only one of the aspects of the war in the heavenlies that Ephesians 6 speaks of.  In verse 19, not only does Jesus give unto those appointed to this type of warfare power to tread on serpents and scorpions, He also gives them power “over all the power of the enemy.”  Over all the power of the enemy means just that: over all the power of the enemy is not limited power.

Jesus goes on further rejoicing in spirit and thanking the Father that this type of "spiritual warfare" in the heavenly regions was not revealed to everyone. In verse 23 Jesus turned to His disciples and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things ye see.  In verse 24 Jesus tells us “For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.”

Not everyone is called to spiritual warfare nor will everyone in the Body of Christ understand this type of warfare; however, blessed are those that have been appointed and who do understand what God has called them to.

Taking no credit themselves, the Disciples were astonished that even the devils were subject to them through the Name of Jesus. 

And, just as it was with the 70, Jesus Christ still takes a personal interest in our walk with Him and He is still aware of the ongoing victories each generation has in taking authority over the enemy.  On earth as it is in heaven:  Jesus revealed to them that as they were taking authority over the devils that He was aware of the progressive decline of Satan’s kingdom, and as Satan was losing ground, his power was diminishing.

Verse 18: Jesus replied: "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."  Notice how Jesus directed their attention to the "spiritual realm" making them aware of a much larger picture of the satanic world.  Interestingly, Satan's fall is compared to lightening that is quick, dazzling and destructive.  On Earth as in Heaven: While the disciples were taking authority over the devils here on earth and casting out Satan's subjects - Jesus was saying that it affected the spiritual realm - Jesus saw Satan himself fall! Even though Satan and his angels had already fallen - Ephesians 6:12 reveals that there is still a battle going on in the heavenlies. Jesus was explaining to them that there is a spiritual aspect of what they were doing.   Casting out demons was more than just casting out demons.  Jesus pointed out how their success affected the Kingdom of Darkness - Jesus pointed out how devils being cast out affected Satan.

Every time a Believer takes authority over Satan and every time a principality is dislodged and every time the Church casts out a demon from someone who is being vexed or bound and every time an unbeliever's soul is rescued from the demonic and comes into the Kingdom - Satan is being driven out (John 12:3) and comes closer to being cast into the lake of fire and brimstone! (Revelation 20:10).  Every time a Christian takes authority over Satan - he continues to fall.  And, all throughout the Church age - Satan is ever falling - and after every principality has been dislodged and fallen under the feet of Christ Jesus - Satan's fall will be complete and the end will come! 

And, I believe that's why Satan doesn't want the Church to believe that he really exists or to understand the authority we have over him in the Name of Jesus - because when every power, rule, authority, principality, demon and Satan himself has "completely fallen" and made inoperative - in other words fallen under the feet of Jesus - then "The End Cometh" 1 Corinthians 15:24-28

Come Lord Jesus, Come

When a Believer prophetically speaks into the spiritual realm, principalities and their strongholds fall – they are pulled down - they are dislodged from the heavenlies.  And, I know that each time I spoke a creative word from Scripture into the spiritual realm at Bozrah, Jordan – principalities and their strongholds were dislodged.  And, I believe that many other Believers, at the Lord's direction, have already gone to Bozrah and will continue to go to Bozrah for God's kingdom purposes.  

Ephesians 4:7-12 speaks of the five fold ministry - Christ's gifts to Believers.  Verse 7 reveals that the "Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers are Christ's gifts to us.  And, the Believer who has been called to the office of Prophet speaks with more authority than Believers who Prophesy by the gift of prophecy spoken of in 1 Corinthians 14:1.  In other words, all Believers who prophesy will not be called to function as the Prophet in Ephesians 4.  However, all Prophets also have the gift of prophecy. 

2 Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. KJV

Prophets have been given authority over Satan's kingdoms of darkness, whether that be in the life of individuals, families or governments.  The prophet's anointing and gifting is spiritual weaponry in the hands of the Lord mighty through God to the pulling down of the strongholds of Satan.

One of the reasons that Jesus came was to destroy the works of the devil.  And, the gift of Prophet is for the destruction of Satan's kingdom and for the establishment of the Kingdom of God.  It is forceful men taking the kingdom by force.

1 John 3:8  ⁸ He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.  KJV

The prophetic anointing is often confrontational – in the same sense that Elijah challenged and confronted the powers of darkness on Mount Carmel.  On the other hand, the prophet is also called to build up - and he can only build up after the stronghold has been pulled down.

But please do not misunderstand – just because we are called to warfare doesn't mean that it is easy or that we enjoy that part of our calling.  It seems that Satan is always there to hinder and harass those of us who are called to spiritual warfare.  Again, it is forceful men taking the Kingdom by force (Matthew 11:12).  Warfare is extremely unpleasant - nonetheless it is important.  We must recognize and remember that the purpose of pulling down the strongholds of the enemy is for the building up of God's kingdom.  Spiritual warfare is not an end in itself - it is only a means to the end.  Our focus must not be on pulling down the strongholds of the enemy - our focus must be on why we are pulling them down - and it is for the building up the Body of Christ – otherwise we may end up suffering defeat.

I have found that people, including politically correct Pastors, have a fear of the prophetic ministry simply because it is so powerful and not politically correct.  But what the politically correct Pastor doesn't understand is that the true prophetic ministry will only destroy what Christ came to destroy - the works of the devil - it will never destroy the building up of the Body of Christ.   

Are we misunderstood?  Yes!  The prophet is criticized for not being more tolerant or more to the point "politically correct.”  Yet, those of us who move prophetically understand that the prophetic office leaves no room for compromise!  Compromise will not be tolerated by the Lord - and I have personally learned that the Lord will quickly bring us into correction regarding the slightest compromise in our lives.

Grover and Psalm 60:  The following account of my trip to Bozrah (Buseirah, Jordan) in September 2013 is more of a personal account and how it relates to Psalm 60 which is the Psalm that the Lord quickened me to concerning the mining explosion that my brother died in. 

After the mine explosion on April 5, 2010, I sent an email to myself documenting a vision the Lord gave me of a crack/breach in the floor of the mines that ran "11-5" over one year before MSHA (the government agency that oversees coal mining) presented their findings to the families and then to the public concerning the cause of the explosion.  And, at the time the Lord gave me the vision - the Lord quickened me to Psalm 60 to discern the vision.  And, verse 2 speaks of a Breach" in the land. 

Psalm 60 ¹ O God, You have rejected us and cast us off, broken down [our defenses], and scattered us; You have been angry—O restore us and turn Yourself to us again! ²You have made the land to quake and tremble, You have rent it [open]; repair its breaches, for it shakes and   totters.  Amplified Bible Classic Edition

And, in MSHA’s findings presented to the families we were informed that two explosions occurred underground that day.  The first explosion occurred when the miners mined into a "Fault Zone" of methane gas.  And, this 4 and 1/2 mile fault zone ran "11 to 5" on a clock - which confirmed what the Lord had shown me - that the initial explosion was an act of God.  And, the Lord had revealed to both me and Grover that the explosion would occur because of the irreverence of the Lord.  Obviously, Grover had a reverence for the Lord – and the purpose of Grover's death in that explosion was for a Kingdom Purpose.  Grover overcame the spirit of fear and Revelation 12:11 reveals ¹¹ And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.  We know that Grover's death resulted in the dislodging of a geographical principality.

Grover (right) at the Gates of Hell, Caesarea Philippi

After MSHA's findings were published and God had confirmed the "11 to 5" breach in the floor of the mines, then I knew the rest of Psalm 60 would be significant in my life as well.  And, it was!  And, it was when the Lord gave me a dream about Petra and a fence, as well as quickening me to verses 8-9 of Psalm 60 as well as Isaiah 63, etc., that I knew that I was to go to Petra, Jordan and ancient Edom including its ancient capital "Bozrah/Buseirah" and speak a creative word into the Spiritual Realm.  The creative word that the Lord has me to speak is always the reading of the Scriptures that He has quickened me to.  For example, when on the land in Jordan - the Scriptures all had to do with Edom, Petra, Bozrah/Buseirah and Ammon.

Therefore will I earnestly remember You from the land of Jordan, and the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar Psalm 42:6-7 ^6O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar. ^7Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. KJV Grover:  In October of 2009, along with Grover, John, Jeffrey and Rocklyn, we went to Mount Hermon, the land of the Hermonites, and there we praised the Lord.

Standing at the Gates of Hell

Mount Hermon is located in Caesarea Philippi and it was here, the very place where we are standing, that Jesus Christ made one of the most profound statements concerning His Church - Matthew 16:13-19. 

Mount Hermon marks the northern boundaries of Israel and it is here where the headwaters of the Jordan River are located and from there flow into the country of Jordan.  Although no one knows for a certainty the exact location of Mizar - given that Mizar is mentioned in the same context of Jordan and Mount Hermon - it is believed that the "hill Mizar" is referring to one of the smaller hills associated with Mount Hermon.   

In other words, for me there has been a fulfillment of Psalm 42:6

I have praised the Lord from the land of Jordan, Mount Hermon and the hill Mizar. Psalm 42: ^7Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.  ^8Yet the LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.  KJV

Standing at the Headwaters of the Jordan

And, even the mention of the "waterspouts, waves and billows" of verse 7 have a significant meaning in both my life as well as Grover's life.

Here I'm pictured standing at the base of Mount Hermon as the headwaters of the Jordan River surge over the rocks at Caesarea Philippi. 

Deep calleth unto deep:  The sound of the surging mass of water over the rocks at the head of the Jordan River from the overflow of rain is symbolic of one sorrow after another crashing all around the Psalmist.  The waves and billows speak of the sorrow that at times seemed to overwhelm the Psalmist.  Yet, the Psalmist remembers the mercy and loving kindness of the Lord and in that the Psalmist is encouraged that his day of deliverance is near.  Even though the Psalmist may have been experiencing sorrow, he knew it would not always be the case because we go from faith to faith.  After the storm there will come a calm, and the prospect of this encouraged him when deep called unto deep. 

Notes from various sources on EDOM:

Edom E'dom, Idumæ'a or Idume'a (red). The name Edom was given to Esau, the first-born son of Isaac and twin brother of Jacob, when he sold his birthright to the latter for a meal of lentil pottage. The country which the Lord subsequently gave to Esau was hence called "the country of Edom," Gene 32:3 and his descendants were called Edomites. Edom was called Mount Seir and Idumea also. Edom was wholly a mountainous country. It embraced the narrow mountainous tract (about 100 miles long by 20 broad) extending along the eastern side of the Arabah from the northern end of the Gulf of Elath to near the southern end of the Dead Sea.

The ancient capital of Edom was Bozrah (Buseireh). Sela (Petra) appears to have been the principal stronghold in the days of Amaziah (b.c. 838). 2 Kin 14:7 Elath and Ezion-geber were the seaports. 2 Sam 8:14; 1 Kin 9:26 History.—Esau's bitter hatred to his brother Jacob for fraudulently obtaining his blessing appears to have been inherited by his latest posterity.

The Edomites peremptorily refused to permit the Israelites to pass through their land. Numb 20:18-21 For a period of 400 years we hear no more of the Edomites. They were then attacked and defeated by Saul, 1 Sam 14:47 and some forty years later by David. 2 Sam 8:13, 14 In the reign of Jehoshaphat (B.c. 914) the Edomites attempted to invade Israel, but failed. 2 Chr 20:22 They joined Nebuchadnezzar when that king besieged Jerusalem. For their cruelty at this time they were fearfully denounced by the later prophets. Isai 34:5-8; 63:1-4; Jere 49:17 After this they settled in southern Palestine, and for more than four centuries continued to prosper. But during the warlike rule of the Maccabees they were again completely subdued, and even forced to conform to Jewish laws and rites, and submit to the government of Jewish prefects. The Edomites were now incorporated with the Jewish nation. They were idolaters. 2 Chr 25:14, 15, 20 Their habits were singular. The Horites, their predecessors in Mount Seir, were, as their name implies, troglodytes, or dwellers in caves; and the Edomites seem to have adopted their dwellings as well as their country. Everywhere we meet with caves and grottos hewn in the soft sandstone strata.    Smith's Bible Dictionary: Comprising Antiquities, Biography, Geography, Natural History, Archaeology and Literature.

EDOM (ee’ duhm) The area southeast and southwest of the Dead Sea, on opposite sides of the Arabah, was known as Edom in biblical times and was the home of the Edomites. The name “Edom” derives from a Semitic root which means “red” or “ruddy” and characterizes the red sandstone terrain of much of the area in question. Moreover, the Edomite area was largely “wilderness”—semi-desert, not very conducive to agriculture—and many of the inhabitants were semi-nomads. Thus the boundaries of Edom would have been rather ill-defined. Yet not all of Edom was wilderness    ; the vicinity of present-day Tafileh and Buseireh, east of the Arabah, is fairly well watered, cultivable land, and would have boasted numerous villages during Old Testament times. This would have been the center of Edomite population. Buseireh is situated on the ruins of ancient Bozrah, the capital of Edom. Note that the modern name, “Buseireh,” preserves memory of the ancient one, “Bozrah.”

Most of the biblical passages pertaining to Edom refer to this Edomite center east of the Arabah. Isaiah 63:1, for example, speaks of one that “cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah, glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength.” (See also Jer. 49:22; Amos 1:11-12). Yet there are other passages which presuppose that the territory west of the Arabah, south of the Judean hill country and separating Judah from the Gulf of Aqaba, was also part of Edom. See especially the description of Judah’s boundary in Numbers 34:3-4 and Joshua 15:1-3, where Judah’s south side is described as extending “even to the border of Edom the wilderness of Zin.” Certain of the tribal groups which ranged this wilderness area south of Judah are listed in the Edomite genealogy of Genesis 36. In New Testament times, even the southern end of the Judean hill country (south of approximately Hebron) was known officially as Idumea (Edom).

The “land of Seir” seems to be synonymous with Edom in some passages (Gen. 32:3; 36:8; Judg. 5:4). Egyptian texts from about 1300 to 1100 B.C. know of Shasu (apparently semi-nomadic tribes) from Seir and Edom. “Teman” also is used in apposition to Edom in at least one biblical passage (Amos 1:12), but normally refers to a specific district of Edom and possibly to a town by that name. One of Job’s visitors was Eliphaz the Temanite (Job 2:11; compare Ezek. 25:13).

The Israelites regarded the Edomites as close relatives, even more closely related to them than the Ammonites or Moabites. Specifically, they identified the Ammonites and Moabites as descendants of Lot, Abraham’s nephew, but the Edomites as descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother (Gen. 19:30-36; 36). Thus Edom occasionally is referred to as a “brother” to Israel (Amos 1:11-12). Edomites seem not to have been barred from worship in the Jerusalem Temple with the same strictness as the Ammonites and Moabites (Deut. 23:3-8). Yet, as is often the case with personal relations, the closest relative can be a bitter enemy. According to the biblical writers, enmity between Israel and Edom began already with Jacob and Esau (when the former stole the latter’s birthright) and was exacerbated at the time of the Israelite Exodus from Egypt (when the Edomites refused the Israelites passage through their land). Be that as it may, much of the conflict also had to do with the fact that Edom was a constant threat to Judah’s frontier, and moreover blocked Judean access to the Gulf of Aqaba.

Both Saul and David conducted warfare with the Edomites—probably frontier wars fought in the “wilderness” area southwest of the Dead Sea (1 Sam. 14:47-48; 2 Sam. 8:13-14). David achieved a decisive victory in the valley of salt, probably just southwest of Beersheba where the ancient name still is preserved in modern Arabic wadi el-Milk. Apparently this secured Davidic control of the Edomite area west of the Arabah as well as access to the Gulf of Aqaba. Thus we read that Solomon built a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber and sent them to distant places for exotic goods. Later Hadad of the royal Edomite line returned from Egypt and became an active adversary to Solomon. This would have involved Edomite attacks on Solomon’s caravans which passed through traditionally Edomite territory from Ezion-geber to Jerusalem (1 Kings 11:14-22).

Apparently Judah gained the upper hand against Edom again during the reign of Jehoshaphat. Once again we read of a Judean attempt (unsuccessful this time) to undertake a shipping venture from Ezion-geber (1 Kings 22:47-50). Edom regained independence from Judah under Joram, who succeeded Jehoshaphat to the throne (2 Kings 8:20-22). A later Judean king, Amaziah, is reported to have defeated the Edomites again in the valley of salt and then to have pursued ten thousand survivors to “the top of the rock” from which they were thrown down and dashed to pieces (2 Chron. 25:11-12). Possibly the Hebrew term sela translated “rock” in this passage should be understood as a proper name, “Sela.” If so, then it seems reasonable to locate the incident with the craggy terrain just northwest of the Edomite capital Bosrah, where still today an Arab village bears a corresponding name (as-Sil`). An alternate candidate for biblical Sela favored by some scholars, Umm el-Biyara at Petra, seems too far south from either the valley of salt or the center of Edomite population.

Conflict between Judah and Edom and efforts on the part of Judean kings to exploit the commercial possibilities of the Gulf of Aqaba continued (2 Kings 14:22; 16:6; 2 Chron. 26:1-2; 28:17) until eventually the Edomites, like the other peoples and petty kingdoms of Syria-Palestine, fell under the shadow of the major eastern empires—the Assyrians, then the Babylonians, finally the Persians and the Greeks. Some scholars hold that the Edomites aided the Babylonians in their attacks on Jerusalem in 597 and 586 B.C. and then took advantage of the Judeans in their helpless situation. This would explain, for example, the bitter verbal attacks on Edom in passages such as Jeremiah 49:7-22 and the Book of Obadiah. Yet there is no clear evidence to support this view.

By New Testament times a people of Arabic origin known as the Nabateans had established a commercial empire with its center in the formerly Edomite territory east of the Arabah. Their chief city was Petra, and the whole region southeast of the Dead Sea had come to be known as Nabatea. Only the formerly Edomite territory west of the Arabah was still known as Idumea (Edom). Herod the Great was of Idumean ancestry. See Transjordan; Esau; Bozrah; Nabateans; Petra; Sela.  Holman Bible Dictionary.

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