Page 171 - Bible History

144 GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE ENTER THE PROMISED LAND
was only after many years that peace was made with
them.
T e The Edomites, also known as the Idumaeans, lived it south of the Dead Sea and the land of Moab. They
were the descendants of Esau. The enmity between the Israelites and the Edomites was very bitter.
The Edomites were idolaters and worshiped their alse gods on the tops of high hills which were called ''High Places.'' They were a source of temptation to the Israelites and led many of them away from the worship of the one true God. The prophets and the holy men often preached against the Edomites and threatened them with destruction. "Thou art exceed­ ing contemptible,'' said the prophet Abdias to the Edomites. "'The pride of thy heart hath lifted thee up, who dwellest in the clefts of the rocks, and settest up thy throne on high, and sayest in thy heart, 'Who shall bring me down to the ground?' 'Though thou be exalted as an eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down,' saith the Lord. 'I shall destroy the wise out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau. There shall be no remains of the house of Esau, for the Lord hath spoken.' ''
T The Amorrhites were descendants of Chanaan.
Amor-
They rst dwelt west of the Jordan, but later crossed to the east and drove the Moabites out of their terri­ tory between the Jaboc and the Arnon. Here they formed two kingdoms: the northern, Basan, with Edrai its capital, and Og its king; and the southern, Galaad,
rhit