How do you respond when pride and conflict arise in your life?
Obadiah 1 is a powerful reminder of God’s sovereignty over all nations. It warns against pride and hostility, exemplified by Edom’s attitude toward Israel, and reveals God’s ultimate plan for judgment and restoration.
Key Verse:
“For the day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.” – Obadiah 1:15 (NIV)
Background Context:
The book of Obadiah addresses the conflict between Edom, descendants of Esau, and Israel, descendants of Jacob. Edom’s pride, betrayal, and violence against Israel led to God’s pronouncement of judgment upon them. Despite the harshness of the warning, Obadiah closes with hope for the restoration of God’s people and His ultimate reign over all nations.
(Continued and expanded after scripture.)
Edom Will Be Humbled
1The vision of Obadiah.
Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom—
We have heard a report from the LORD,
And an envoy has been sent among the nations saying,
“Arise and let us go against her for battle”—
2“Behold, I will make you small among the nations;
You are greatly despised.
3“The arrogance of your heart has deceived you,
You who live in the clefts of the rock,
In the loftiness of your dwelling place,
Who say in your heart,
‘Who will bring me down to earth?’
4“Though you build high like the eagle,
Though you set your nest among the stars,
From there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD.
5“If thieves came to you,
If robbers by night—
O how you will be ruined!—
Would they not steal only until they had enough?
If grape gatherers came to you,
Would they not leave some gleanings?
6“O how Esau will be ransacked,
And his hidden treasures searched out!
7“All the men allied with you
Will send you forth to the border,
And the men at peace with you
Will deceive you and overpower you.
They who eat your bread
Will set an ambush for you.
(There is no understanding in him.)
8“Will I not on that day,” declares the LORD,
“Destroy wise men from Edom
And understanding from the mountain of Esau?
9“Then your mighty men will be dismayed, O Teman,
So that everyone may be cut off from the mountain of Esau by slaughter.
10“Because of violence to your brother Jacob,
You will be covered with shame,
And you will be cut off forever.
11“On the day that you stood aloof,
On the day that strangers carried off his wealth,
And foreigners entered his gate
And cast lots for Jerusalem—
You too were as one of them.
12“Do not gloat over your brother’s day,
The day of his misfortune.
And do not rejoice over the sons of Judah
In the day of their destruction;
Yes, do not boast
In the day of their distress.
13“Do not enter the gate of My people
In the day of their disaster.
Yes, you, do not gloat over their calamity
In the day of their disaster.
And do not loot their wealth
In the day of their disaster.
14“Do not stand at the fork of the road
To cut down their fugitives;
And do not imprison their survivors
In the day of their distress.
The Day of the LORD and the Future
15“For the day of the LORD draws near on all the nations.
As you have done, it will be done to you.
Your dealings will return on your own head.
16“Because just as you drank on My holy mountain,
All the nations will drink continually.
They will drink and swallow
And become as if they had never existed.
17“But on Mount Zion there will be those who escape,
And it will be holy.
And the house of Jacob will possess their possessions.
18“Then the house of Jacob will be a fire
And the house of Joseph a flame;
But the house of Esau will be as stubble.
And they will set them on fire and consume them,
So that there will be no survivor of the house of Esau,”
For the LORD has spoken.
19Then those of the Negev will possess the mountain of Esau,
And those of the Shephelah the Philistine plain;
Also, possess the territory of Ephraim and the territory of Samaria,
And Benjamin will possess Gilead.
20And the exiles of this host of the sons of Israel,
Who are among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath,
And the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad
Will possess the cities of the Negev.
21The deliverers will ascend Mount Zion
To judge the mountain of Esau,
And the kingdom will be the LORD’S.
Reflection on Obadiah 1:
- The Danger of Pride:
Edom’s pride in their geographic security and alliances blinded them to their vulnerability before God (Obadiah 1:3-4). Pride leads to a false sense of security and alienates us from God’s sovereignty. Are there areas in your life where pride is causing you to rely on your strength instead of God’s? Surrender them to Him and seek humility. - The Sin of Betrayal and Hostility:
Edom stood by and even rejoiced as Israel faced destruction, acting as an enemy rather than a brother (Obadiah 1:10-12). Their betrayal and violence against God’s people brought judgment upon them. Are you harboring hostility or failing to act as a faithful friend or sibling in Christ? Seek forgiveness and work to restore broken relationships. - God’s Sovereign Justice:
Verse 15 emphasizes God’s justice: “As you have done, it will be done to you.” God’s judgment is impartial and righteous, holding all nations accountable for their actions. Do you trust in God’s sovereignty to bring justice, even in situations that seem unfair? Rest in His perfect plan and timing. - The Hope of Restoration:
The chapter concludes with a vision of hope—God’s people will be restored, and His kingdom will reign over all nations (Obadiah 1:17-21). This points to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan through Yeshua. Are you placing your hope in God’s promises of restoration and His eternal reign?
Summary Key Points:
- Pride Leads to Destruction: Rely on God, not on your own strength or resources.
- Hostility Breeds Judgment: Betrayal and violence against others separate us from God.
- God’s Justice Is Perfect: Trust in His sovereignty to bring justice in all situations.
- Hope Is Found in Restoration: God’s promises are fulfilled in Yeshua, bringing renewal and eternal reign.
Application:
Examine your heart for pride, hostility, or betrayal that may be distancing you from God and others. Surrender these to God and seek reconciliation where needed. Trust in God’s sovereignty and justice, even in challenging situations, and place your hope in His promises of restoration through Yeshua.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your justice and mercy. Forgive us for the times we have allowed pride, hostility, or betrayal to separate us from You and others. Teach us to rely on Your strength and to act as faithful brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank You for the hope of restoration and Your eternal reign. Help us to trust in Your sovereignty and live in alignment with Your will. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda
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