Especially when it comes from those you thought you could count on. Well, let me tell you, the ancient Israelites knew that pain all too well, particularly at the hands of the Edomites.

Now, the Edomites were descendants of Esau, Jacob's brother. You remember the story, right? The birthright, the blessing… all that family drama. But this isn't about sibling rivalry; it’s about something far more sinister: betrayal in a moment of utter crisis.

We’re talking about the time of Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. A dark, dark time. The Israelites were facing annihilation. And where were the Edomites?

They were there, alright. Lurking just outside Jerusalem, according to Ginzberg's retelling in Legends of the Jews. They didn't rush to help, didn't offer support. Oh no. They were playing a waiting game. A truly awful one.

Imagine the scene: The Edomites, poised, watching the battle unfold. If the Israelites had somehow managed to pull off a miracle and defeat the Babylonians, the Edomites would have conveniently appeared, patting them on the back, pretending they were there to lend a hand all along. "Oh, Israel, dear cousins! We came to help!" Can you just picture the false smiles?

But that's not how the story goes, is it? Nebuchadnezzar was victorious. And that's when the Edomites showed their true colors.

The Babylonian sword was brutal, yes, but the Edomites added their own layer of cruelty. Those Israelites who managed to escape the Babylonians, fleeing for their lives? They ran right into the arms—or rather, the swords—of the Edomites. They were cut down.

Think about that for a moment. These weren't just enemies on the battlefield. They were neighbors, relatives, people who shared a common ancestry. And in Israel's darkest hour, they chose to become executioners. It's a chilling reminder of the depths of human depravity, and the eternal cost of choosing opportunism over compassion. What does it say about the Edomites, that they'd rather see their kin destroyed than risk standing by them in a fight? What does it say about us when we act the same way?