Why must they “leave their fatherless children” and let their widows trust in the Lord?

It is unclear who speaks these words of mercy towards those left fatherless and those widowed because of the war in Edom. Some commentators suggest that it is referring to the brothers and neighbours mentioned in Jeremiah 49:10. These may be treaty partners who promise to take care of those left after the fighting men of Edom are killed.¹ But a more obvious reading of the passage identifies the Lord as the one who is speaking (see Jeremiah 49:7). The Lord is the one who cares for orphans (Deuteronomy 10:18; Psalm 10:14, Psalm 10:18; Psalm 68:5). It is the Lord who will care for those who have been left behind after the men in their families have been killed.²