The book of Obadiah is a short one in the Old Testament. The author, Obadiah, has written down what God has shown him about the judgement for the country of Edom. Here are the first few verses that we shall consider today;
*1*The vision of Obadiah.
Thus says the Lord God concerning Edom:
We have heard a report from the Lord,
and a messenger has been sent among the nations:
“Rise up! Let us rise against her for battle!”
*2* Behold, I will make you small among the nations;
you shall be utterly despised.
*3* The pride of your heart has deceived you,
you who live in the clefts of the rock,
in your lofty dwelling,
who say in your heart,
“Who will bring me down to the ground?”
*4* Though you soar aloft like the eagle,
though your nest is set among the stars,
from there I will bring you down,
declares the Lord.
Obadiah 1–4.
A pretty harsh judgement you would think, but that is because of the harsh way the Edomites have treated others. The reason that Edom is going to be overcome is because they assisted the Babylonians in capturing the Israelites that fled when Jerusalem was destroyed. This is serious to God because the Edomites are actually relatives of those Israelites! Edom consisted of the descendants of Esau, who was one of the sons of Isaac, and the brother to Jacob. Jacob is the one from whom all of the tribes of Israel descended. Therefore, the Edomites are related to the Israelites and their tribes, so they had, in essence, turned against their own family to support the unholy Babylonian nation. Instead of caring for and assisting their fleeing family, they turned against them. So, God pronounces what He intends to do to Edom through the prophet Obadiah.
The Edomites would have been aware of their heritage and who the Israelites were, they could not feign ignorance about knowing who their ancestors were. Yet this does highlight the fact that although people can be brought up in the same family, with the same values and expectations, they still get to choose their own way in life just like their forefathers; Jacob and Esau. Jacob chose to honour God and the nation that came through him did consider God in some way throughout their history. They have times of following and disobeying, but God's voice doesn't ever seem too far away. Whereas Esau's descendants, the Edomites, seem to have rejected God, living their lives for what they can get out of it with no consideration for God. We see that through this book of Obadiah. The Edomites believe they are thriving, they are successful and capable. Yet, despite appearances, God is showing that there are more important things to life than the outward visible achievements. God proves through this prophecy that he is concerned about the hearts of His people. Even though the Edomites may not consider themselves His people, He does. He still cares about them and wishes to warn them about their impending doom because of their disregard for Him and their kin.
God, through Obadiah reveals that the cause of the Edomites issues is not hatred, greed, jealousy or a violent temper, but pride (v3). The Edomites were deeply satisfied within themselves. They took great pleasure in who they were and what they could do. This is the source of their problems; a confidence in oneself, and a reliance on one’s possessions and capabilities. They were ok with that, but God says, 'The pride of your heart has deceived you'.
You may have heard of the proverb, ‘pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall’ (`Proverbs 16:18). Pride - the deep pleasure and satisfaction of your own achievements or possessions is destructive. It is a problem because it is me-focussed. It gives no honour, glory or concern to anyone else, just oneself. The proud can be spotted as those who consider themselves better than others because of what they have got and achieved, they look to themselves for the solutions to life’s problems and think that they are responsible for their own success. The Edomites were such people. They knew what they were good at, and revelled in it. Even where they lived demonstrated something of how apart and above others they felt - they lived up high in the rocks - what a secure, solid powerful environment to oversee the other land and nations from, they would literally have to look down on everyone else from their dwelling place. They felt safe and secure, just like an eagle soaring around; confident, and unconcerned, unaware of any danger. Yet, in verse 4 God promises, ‘from there I will bring you down’. It seems impossible. From the top of a solid mountain plateau, from the soaring heights of the eagle, from there God will bring the nation of Edom down. It does not seem like it can happen, certainly not to the Edomites from their privileged position. Yet, no matter how secure you can feel in life, if you are consumed with pride and fail to acknowledge God’s favour, then you may be heading for a downfall just as these people were.
No matter how high you may feel in life, no matter the height of your achievements or capabilities, God can bring you down. So, what can you do to avoid it? Ensure that you are not 'deceived' like the Edomites were - that you are not blinded by success or achievement or that getting something or somewhere in life is your ultimate goal in life. Make sure that you are caring for others, that you are not destroying or degrading others in your attempt to succeed. Most importantly, consider God. What does God want you to achieve in life? What and who has He given you to take care of? Are you showing your gratitude and acceptance of God's favour, generosity and love to those around you? Do people hear you boast, not of yourself, but of what God has done for you?
Be aware of your attitude and behaviour towards God, yourself and others. God sees the deceptive nature of pride, and it is so easy to fall into the trap of self-sufficiency and feeling good about success and hardwork, after all, isn't that what the rest of the world emulates? God would like to rescue you from pride - will you let Him? Or are you just going to wait for the fall?
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