Obadiah and Edom

Obadiah delivered a one-chapter oracle of doom to the people of Edom who gloried in the destruction of Jerusalem and the defeat and captivity of the Jews who were their relatives (Edom from Esau and Jews from Jacob – the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah).

The Jews and Jerusalem were guilty of blaspheming and disobeying God and were under God’s just judgment and punishment, but neighbor Edom had no right to rejoice in their fall or to take advantage of their troubles.

Such reminds me of Proverbs 24:17-18,

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him.

vv. 1-9, The nation of Edom dwelt in a land south of Israel that had natural fortifications giving them great security (think USA). They were convinced they were impregnable (3).  Furthermore, they had made pacts with other nations giving further support (7) and they considered themselves wise (8). To them God said, “I will bring you down!” (2, 4b, 8).  God promised that attackers would succeed and totally plunder them when normal enemies would fail (5-6).  Even “friends” would take part in the destruction (7).  The nation will be destroyed – mighty men and all (9)!

WHY?  Why was God so against this nation that He would declare its doom?

Why? v. 10, God:  For violence against your brother Jacob

Why?

10 violence against brother

11 aligned with brother’s enemies

12 gazed, rejoiced, and boasted as brother was defeated

13 to watch – to celebrate their defeat – to watch their affliction

13 took plunder from brothers

14 stopped those trying to escape

14 pointed out where brothers were hiding – promoted their captivity

16 took up vessels and drank wine on temple mount in celebration

v. 10, God: Shame shall cover you and you shall be cut off forever

15 the day of the Lord comes upon all nations

Each will reap what they have sown – a just reward will be yours.

Your children or grands will pay the price.

v. 10, God: you will be cut off forever – v. 16c as though they had never been. 

This exactly happened – the nation of Edom no longer exists, nor do Edomites (18b)

   16 you will drink the dregs – the cup of God’s wrath to the very last drop

vv. 17-21 BUT – Israel shall return to possess the land and be holy

God will be their King (21)

And the United States?  Are their lessons to be learned here?

There are those in power and leadership who mock, attack, and plunder…

His people – the church – true Christians
His people – the Jews

To be prideful and think untouchable and to mock or belittle those who are His is a dangerous thing to do!