Topic: GOD’S JUDGEMENT ON EDOM
Text: OBADIAH 1:1-21
Reflection:
From our previous studies of the books of Hosea and Joel, we saw how God’s anger was kindled against His own people and the enemies of His people. Hosea prophesied God’s judgement on His own people because they turned away from Him and went after other gods. While Joel prophesied on the judgement of God against the enemies of His people because they dealt with His people without mercies in the days when He (God) delivered them (His people) into their hands.
From our text today, God revealed to His prophet, Obadiah, what He intend to do to the people of Edom, how he will bring judgement upon them for their attitude towards their brother Israel. Edom is the descendant of Esau, the twin-brother of Jacob (Israel). But their attitude towards their brother in the days of his trial displeased God greatly.
“The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle. Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly dispised.” Obadiah 1:1-2
“Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau? And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.” -Obadiah 1:8-9
“For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.” -Obadiah 1:15
Why will God judge Edom?
- Because of pride. “The pride of thine heart hath deceived, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high;…” -Obadiah 1:3. Nothing provokes God’s judgement like pride, it is the silent destroyer that has destroyed many.
- For his violence against his brother. “For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever.” -Obadiah 1:10.
- For refusing to help his brother in the days of trials. “In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them.” -Obadiah 1:11
- Rejoicing over his brother’s misfortune. “But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction;…” -Obadiah 1:12.
- For taking advantage of his brother’s calamity. “Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity;…” -Obadiah 1:13.
- for delivering his brother to his enemies. “Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress.” -Obadiah 1:14.
Conclusion:
your relationship with your brothers (or sisters) is as important to God as your relationship with Him. But more important is how you deal with your brothers in their time of trials, especially, someone (a brother/sister) who is in covenant relationship with Him. To Abraham He said, “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee:…” -Genesis 12:3a.
