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O BA D IA H
page 812
Are these attacks on God’s people any different from what the Edomites were doing?
The words of Obadiah have an application for us, too. All believers are special to God.
We must treat them with the same love and loyalty with which God treats us. May the
book of Obadiah help us renew our commitment to God’s people in whatever place or
circumstance we find them.
Key verses in Obadiah
1:3 - 4 ”You have been deceived
by your own pride because you live
in a rock fortress and make your
home high in the mountains. ‘Who
can ever reach us way up here?’
you ask boastfully. But even if you
soar as high as eagles and build
your nest among the stars, I will
bring you crashing down,” says
the Lord.
should not have spoken arrogantly
in that terrible time of trouble.”
1:12 “You should not have gloated
when they exiled your relatives to
distant lands. You should not have
rejoiced when the people of Judah
suffered such misfortune. You
1:17 “But Jerusalem will become
a refuge for those who escape; it
will be a holy place. And the people
of Israel will come back to reclaim
their inheritance.”
This is the vision that the Sovereign Lord revealed to Obadiah concerning the land of Edom.
Edom’s Judgment Announced
We have heard a message from the Lord
that an ambassador was sent to the
nations to say,
“Get ready, everyone!
Let’s assemble our armies and attack
Edom!”
2
3
The Lord says to Edom,
“I will cut you down to size among the
nations;
you will be greatly despised.
You have been deceived by your own pride
because you live in a rock fortress
and make your home high in the
mountains.
‘Who can ever reach us way up here?’
you ask boastfully.
4
But even if you soar as high as eagles
and build your nest among the stars,
I will bring you crashing down,”
says the Lord.
5
“If thieves came at night and robbed you
(what a disaster awaits you!),
they would not take everything.
Those who harvest grapes
always leave a few for the poor.
But your enemies will wipe you out
completely!
Every nook and cranny of Edom*
will be searched and looted.
Every treasure will be found and taken.
6
7
8
• Pride
O B AD IA H 1 :3
A very wealthy, successful businessman
said in an interview, “I don’t need God.”
While his business success will certainly
serve him well in material pursuits, its
security will be void at his last breath.
False security leads us into pride. For
the Edomites, it was the security of
fortresses in high cliffs. For the businessman, it is the numbers in his
bank account. How about you? Do
you perceive that you’re safer, smarter,
or richer than you really are?
9
“All your allies will turn against you.
They will help to chase you from your
land.
They will promise you peace
while plotting to deceive and destroy you.
Your trusted friends will set traps for you,
and you won’t even know about it.
At that time not a single wise person
will be left in the whole land of Edom,”
says the Lord.
“For on the mountains of Edom
I will destroy everyone who has
understanding.
The mightiest warriors of Teman
will be terrified,
and everyone on the mountains of Edom
will be cut down in the slaughter.
Reasons for Edom’s Punishment
10 “Because of the violence you did
to your close relatives in Israel,*
6 Hebrew Esau; also in 8b, 9, 18, 19, 21. 10 Hebrew your
brother Jacob. The names “Jacob” and “Israel” are often
interchanged throughout the Old Testament, referring
sometimes to the individual patriarch and sometimes to
the nation.