John Calvin Commentary Jeremiah 49:22

"Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread out his wings against Bozrah: and the heart of the mighty men of Edom at that day shall be as the heart of a woman in her pangs." — Jeremiah 49:22 (ASV)

He again speaks of the swift coming of the Chaldeans, as if he had said, “When the state of that nation seems peaceful, when they rest secure in their own nest, then the Chaldeans will suddenly come, or rather fly.” He compares them to eagles to show that it would be a very quick and ruinous expedition.

At the time this prophecy was declared by the Prophet, no one could have suspected that the Chaldeans would become enemies to the Idumeans, for they were on the best terms with each other. Indeed, we know that they made every effort to gain the favor of the Chaldeans. Therefore, it is said in the Psalms:

Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom, who said in the day of Jerusalem,
Let it be cut down, let it be cut down (Psalms 137:7).

These words imply the impious conspiracy of that nation with the Chaldeans. Nor is there any doubt that they tried by all means to conciliate the Chaldeans for their own interest. Therefore, the Prophet here points out a sudden change when he says that the Chaldeans would be like eagles, who would expand their wings over Bozrah. We have seen elsewhere that this was the chief city of that nation.

The heart, he says, of the valiant men of Edom shall be like the heart of a sorrowful woman. We have seen how great the pride of the Idumeans was. Since they thought themselves superior in valor, counsel, and all other things, the Prophet here shows that the heart of their valiant men would become weak.

For the hearts of men are indeed in God’s hand. God alone is the one who can sustain and animate us and give us firmness; and He also, when He pleases, can weaken our spirits. He does these things every moment.

And that day, then, is not mentioned without reason, for God not only imparts to each of us whatever valor He pleases, but also takes away, when He pleases, the courage He had given. This is why the hearts of the brave become cowardly, and also, why the most timid sometimes become bolder than lions, whenever it pleases God either to weaken or to strengthen the hearts of men.

But it should be noted that no hope is given here to the Idumeans regarding any remnant. When the Prophet spoke before of other nations, he gave them some consolation; but here he does not mitigate God’s vengeance. He dooms the Idumeans to final ruin, without giving them any hope. This is because God had for a long time borne with them, and they had most wickedly abused His forbearance.

He had spared them from the time the children of Israel came up from Egypt. When the Idumeans denied passage to them, the children of Israel made a long detour, at great inconvenience to themselves, so that they might not touch their land. This was a remarkable favor shown to them.

If they had possessed even the smallest drop of humanity, they would have acknowledged such kindness. On the contrary, they had always cruelly treated their own brethren and never ceased to do so, although often warned. It is no wonder, then, that God should now give them up to ruin and announce predictions full of despair.

This should be carefully observed, so that we may learn not to treat God’s patience lightly when He bears with us for a long time, but to repent in due time, lest, when He rises for judgment, He should utterly destroy us.