Yes, God destroyed the Edomites because of their pride, arrogance, and open opposition to Him.
The Edomites, descendants of Esau, became proud of their mountain strongholds and their own strength, believing they were invincible. They were anti-God, having no time for Him, and God would not allow them to prosper. Their destruction, as recorded in Malachi, demonstrates that their pride and rebellion led to God's judgment.
Malachi 1:3-4 — This passage directly addresses God's treatment of Esau (Edom) and His judgment on their attempts to rebuild.
Obadiah 1:3-4 — Omitted because not in evidence.
The Bible records that God said through Malachi, "I loved Jacob, and I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness" (Malachi 1:2-3). The Edomites, though desolate, declared, "We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places" (Malachi 1:4). Yet the Lord of hosts said, "They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them the border of wickedness, and the people against whom the Lord hath indignation for ever" (Malachi 1:4).
Les Feldick explains that God's hatred of Esau was a comparative term, indicating that His love for Jacob was so much greater that it seemed like hatred, for God cannot hate (Clip 4). He emphasizes that Esau was totally destitute of faith and thought nothing of what God said (Clip 0). The Edomites, as Esau's descendants, inherited this attitude, becoming proud and self-reliant in their mountain fortresses, thinking no one could destroy them. Their pride and anti-God stance led God to judge them, as seen in Malachi, where He promises to throw down whatever they rebuild and to make them a 'border of wickedness' and a people against whom He has indignation forever.
The root cause was their pride and arrogance. They lived in the mountains, built homes in the cliffs, and became confident in their own strength. They were anti-God, having no time for Him, and God would not allow them to prosper. This is evident from the summary, but the clips that support this are not provided; the evidence from the clips focuses more on Esau's lack of faith and God's sovereignty.
Esau's Lack of Faith
Les explains that God's hatred of Esau is understandable because Esau was totally destitute of faith, not valuing what God said.
Why God Commanded Israel to Destroy Entire Nations — Deuteronomy 7
And they did. They succeeded in quite a few thousand of them. And, of course, God had to, as they say today, He had to do some ethnic cleansing, and so quite a few thousand Israelites lost their life as a result of their losing their separated position. But nevertheless, the nation of Israel remained intact. The Moabites just couldn't do anything about it.
Why God Commanded Israel to Destroy Entire Nations — Deuteronomy 7
Now he is talking about how they are to deal with the people who occupy the promised land at that time. And remember, this is a holy, righteous, just, and fair God that is speaking. Deuteronomy chapter 20, verse 17, where God says, Thou shalt utterly destroy them, namely, and here they come now, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, the Jebusites, as the Lord thy Go…
Israel’s Title Deed: Understanding God's Covenant in Genesis 15
But ere they crossed the River Jordan, God gave explicit instructions to the nation of Israel, don't leave a single Canaanite alive. Unfair? Unjust? No. Because they've had 400 years to clean up their act. But instead of cleaning up their act, they degenerated down, down, down, until finally God, in justice, could tell Israel, don't spare a one.
God's Hatred as Comparative
Les clarifies that 'hate' regarding Esau is a comparative term, meaning God's love for Jacob was so much greater that it seemed like hatred; God cannot hate.
Why Israel Rejected God as King — 1 Samuel 8 Explained
verse 18, Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel and removed them out of His sight. There was none left but the tribe of Judah only. Verse 20, And the Lord rejected all the seed of Israel and afflicted them and delivered them into the hand of spoilers until He had cast them out of His sight.
Why God Commanded Israel to Destroy Entire Nations — Deuteronomy 7
Now, I know, I know that Satan is doing everything he can to thwart the work of God, and consequently he does attack God's chosen people. But, on the other hand, they are responsible for their actions. And so he lists them all here. And then I'd like to have you come all the way down, if you would, to verse 37, as part of these curses.
Why God Commanded Israel to Destroy Entire Nations — Deuteronomy 7
For their wickedness, God says, has not yet reached the full mark. Now for four hundred and almost ninety years from the time of Abraham's call until Joshua leads them in, what has God been waiting for the Canaanites to do? Will turn from their iniquity, but they don't turn from it.
Malachi 1:3: And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.
Shows God's judgment on Edom's land and heritage.
Malachi 1:4: Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.
God's response to Edom's pride and intent to rebuild.
No. Les Feldick explains that the word 'hate' is used comparatively. God's love for Jacob was so much greater than for Esau that it seems like hatred, but God cannot hate in the sinful sense. It highlights His sovereign choice, not a capricious hatred.
Watch the Teaching: Why Did God Hate Esau? Romans 9:13 and Sovereignty Explained