Remnant, Edom, AD 70

Some reflections based on an ETS talk by Edward Meadors on Romans 9-11. Meadors suggested that “Esau” in Romans 9 refers to Esau as the patriarch of Edom, well-known for its opposition to Israel throughout the centuries. That is Malachi’s focus in the passage Paul cites. And this is set in a context where Paul is charging ethnic Israel with turning to idols and thus suffering the hardness of heart that attends idolatry (ie, worship stone, you become stony). He also noted analogies between Paul’s situation and that of Moses at Sinai after Israel has replaced their true mediator, Moses, with the golden calf.

Several things click into place here. First, Edom urges on Babylon to destroy Jerusalem (Psalm 137), and if Israel is the Edom of the first century, that would suggest some alliance of Israel with the Babylonian power of the day (Rome?) in attacking the true temple. This might also mean that hated “Esau” in Romans 9 is not Esau personally, but corporate Esau, the nation of Edom.

Second, Meadors emphasized that the allusions to the golden calf episode in Romans 9 point to Paul’s claim that ethnic Israel has turned to idols in rejecting the gospel – idols of Torah and blood specifically. As at Sinai, the unfaithful Israel is going to be slaughtered by the sword. As Stephen charges in his sermon in Acts 7, Israel has treated Jesus as they had treated Moses, rejecting the one established by God as ruler and judge. Instead of following the living Torah, the Eternal Word made flesh, they cling to the old Torah, which they brought with them from Egypt-Israel.

Finally, Meadors noted that in the golden calf incident the “remnant” added up to Israel minus 3000 slaughtered idolators. That is, the remnant of Israel that remained faithful was the majority of Israel. Though Meadors suggested that the remnant of Paul’s day would be a minority of Israel, the typology presses in the opposite direction. Perhaps Paul is implying that the remnant of Israel will be ethnic Israel minus some marginal portion. The Jews who turn to idols will be slaughtered, but yet “all Israel shall be saved.” This would fit with the imagery of Revelation 14, the deliverance of the perfected 12s.