Obadiah (The Contrast of Brothers)

Lately I have been studing Obadiah and have found some interesting things that I see in this very short 21 versed book. What seems strange is many haven't even taken the time to read Obadiah let alone understand its message. It will be pretty embarassing for some when they go to heaven and Obadiah is standing there and you never got around to reading such a short but impactive message.

I'll admit its probably not a necessary read but its message is timeless and priceless and gives us some interesting insight which is heavily backed by the rest of the bible.

Obadiah is a message to the Edomites (The Descedents of Esau, Jacob's Twin Brother) Obadiah is thought to be a contemporary of Jeremiah and so with that in mind we can see where Obadiahs' message fits in with the others. Israel was just taken captive and what was the Edomites mindset? Ah we find its one of the Worlds because they are rebuked in verse 11 "...Foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them"

Edom was mountianeous region making living in Clefts of Rock ideal for protection and security, this is why Obadiah says "you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home in the heights"

Edom receives a huge punishment in so much that Only God could have done such a thing because a thief will only take what they want and a grape picker will leave some grapes of the poor (verse 5), BUT God was going to ransack the people of Edom so much that they would know it was God and His righteous Judgment.

What was their crime?

They are strongly rebuked for joining the ranks of the World for the ransacking of Israel and instead of showing mercy they show judgment. I found this the operation of Edom was in line with the World and the World's mindset was one of Murder. Edom operated in this Spirit of Brotherly Murder and when they saw their brother being destroyed not only did they stand "aloof" they joined in. When we see our brothers and sisters in need how do we react? Look down on them as Edom did (verse 12), stand aloof (verse 11), or join in the free for all of destruction tearing down our brothers and sisters (verse 13-14). Why did Edom act this way? Pride. Infact Obadiah says they were Deceived by their Pride, they lived in one of the most secure places natural rock fortress. How careful we have to be to do the same, we can at times feel secure when the Lord is blessing us with His Spirit BUT this pride will lead to our destruction.

After their rebuke from verse 11 through 14 Obadiah enters into a moment of Constrast 15-18 those that attacked Israel (including Edom) would drink the Cup continually while Israel would be delivered.

Now to finish with some contrasting statements of Israel and Edom (World)

Israel was humbled Edom was proud
Israel was eventually Restored Edom was destroyed
Israel was awakened to the Truth Edom was deceived
Israel was Holy Edom was Worldly

As we talk to each other on the Forums and in everyday life let's remember the lesson of Edom that we must guard and protect our beloved brothers and Sisters and speak life and encouragment to each other's hearts. Lest our pride and security get the best of us and we destroy ourselves.

God Bless,
Matthew

Also feel free to share any other insight you have seen in Obadiah I am curious to read some more and other prospectives :)

Obadiah 1:3 NASB

3 The arrogance of your heart has deceived you

COMMENT:

This verse speaks volumes: arrogance deceives! And when it operates in the life of a person, it is destructive and that is what the rest of the book demonstrates.

My thoughts, for now.

I love the OT prophets. They are blunt, to the point, do not waste words - the listeners knows what he means, and there is no debate.

Reckon moderns could take any lessons?

"Bend me O LORD, bend me".....if i had KNOWN what exactly i was praying, i might not have had the courage to make such an entreaty of Jesus"

Brother this sparked a thought when I read this, I found it kind of funny how God uses our ignorance of the future to get us to pray such prayers. Remember Peter loudly and ernestly proclaiming " Ill never forsake,Ill die with you" he had no idea the implication of such a statement and when the rubber met the road he fled and denied Christ 3 times. However this same man that denied the Lord was hung upside down on a cross dying a martyrs death for His Jesus. What was the difference between the two Peters? The Holy Spirit. Goes to show even our radical prayers can be answered but its not our might or our strength but ALL Christ.

Going back to Obadiah though, when the End comes many Jews will be killed by the AntiChrist, the question I have in my mind is as a Christian will I be an Edom or will I be a True Brother and stand when the Lord asks me to stand for the my Jewish Brothers.

12 But do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of distress.
13 Do not enter the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; do not gloat over his disaster in the day of his calamity; do not loot his wealth in the day of his calamity.
14 Do not stand at the crossroads to cut off his fugitives; do not hand over his survivors in the day of distress.

This passage has been used by the Lord to reveal my heart towards the established church. I used to pray that the Lord would judge the church and rid it of all lukewarmness and hypocrisy. Then He brought me through Jonah and then Obediah and showed me that I was acting like Jonah towards Nineva and Edom Judah. I had in my heart to see them cut down and destroyed but the Lord desires repentance and restoration. My repenting for this opened the door for Him to share His heart for these people who I too have a family relationship with through Jesus Christ.

Come Lord Jesus and pour the Spirit of grace and supplication on my friends and neighbors that they might be restored!

I have been trying to study the Geneology of Esau to see why there was such a change in attitude toward Israel as Neil pointed out Esau gave up his grudge against Jacob. Though there has been a ton of time that passed over the generations I found some interesting things that occured over time that maybe some clues as to why the Cousins of Israel quickly turned against them.

I found when Israel left Egypt the Chiefs of Edom were dismayed (Exodus 15:15) Why? Well they thought Israel was invading their territory despite their word of Peace and simply passing through, a knee jerk reaction is red flags and eliminating the problem or at least preventing such a thing from happening so Edom refused Israel passage through their land. So Motive 1 "Fear".

As I studied deeper into the Geneologies I found another interesting thing Edom took over a land call Hori, the Horites. Taking their land the Horite people are no long mentioned in the bible but looking at the Geneology of Esau we found he didn't wipe them out completely and infact married a Horite named Seir. The Edomites simply melted and meshed with the Horites combining culture and families. This was a pretty common practice culturally. So we see Edom "mixing" with the World and its systems, setting up a gap between God's People and their closest known relatives the Edomites.

Next I thought specifically of the Pride of Edom, and then I thought of what pride often leads to. Imagine seeing a Brother Nation rise significantly higher and stronger than yours, keep in mind pride fills your heart. So this produces Jealousy. I believe the Edomites and the surrounding countries saw not only the rise but all so the Fall of Israel and what was on their mind? FINALLY IT FELL! Let's Ransack it because its full of wealth that we have always wanted. This would also explain the rebuke of Don't look down on your brother in times of trouble.

We find another pair of brothers that had a similar dynamic of Pride and Jealousy, Cain and Abel. Leading eventually to Brotherly Murder.

Yet again the Sons of Israel and Joseph, Pride welling up leading to Jealousy and Brotherly Murder. (Now I speak of the Spirit they walked in not actual since they failed to murder Joseph)

Pride is an ugly thing that often leads to us thinking we deserve something that is due to us when in reality we deserve nothing. Any kind of Pride will lead to jealousy and then to a Spirit of Murder because even when you slightly rejoice at your brothers downfall you are infact just as bad as the murderer or the calamity or sin against your brother.

Also not to neglect Fear, Pride will induce fear when what we hold so dear in our hearts that causes the pride is threatened or destroyed, and we can see that in all of the above examples given.

Jeesh such a little book but so much more to dig up!

God Bless,
Matthew

As I was reading Obadiah again I caught something that I thought was strange and prehaps nothing. In every translation I have looked at Verse 1 uses "WE" instead of "I" saying "WE have heard a message from the Lord."

What's with the "We" did Obadiah have friends who were also prophets who agreed with Obadiah? Did a group of people write down the words of Obadiah as a witness and record of Obadiah's words? If so they would likely be Israelite correct? What then does this say of the character and mindset of the fallen Israelites? Wouldn't it be similar attitude of Edom? :) Again I'm sure this is nothing but it certainly has me curious.

I know most probably aren't paying much attention to this thread anymore but that's okay, I was just curious who "the people of the foothills" could be like what nation? I have looked at Atlases and commentaries but there is little that I have found. Is this Babylon maybe?

Obadiah 1:3-4,6 NASB

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

6 O how Esau will be ransacked,
And his hidden treasures searched out!

COMMENT:

Pride has a deceptive way of making a person feel so secure.

As I understand the Edomites they lived in such a high place that it was very difficult to get to. Thus they felt they were secure from any and all enemies. Physical security breeds pride.

Yet, God is telling them that He is going to bring them down from their lofty place. Not only that, their place will be ransacked, v.6. Only God can do that. Good point for us to remember: some folks are so arrogant, so proud you wonder what it would take to get them to see reality. But God can do it and He will. Sometime.

I was reading an interesting commentary on Obadiah and a part of it really hit home for me because it is what I dwelt in for so long. I'll quote it from the Biblegateway website.

"This prophecy is against Edom. Its destruction seems to have been typical, as their father Esau's rejection; and to refer to the destruction of the enemies of the gospel church. See the prediction of the success of that war; Edom shall be spoiled, and brought down. All the enemies of God's church shall be disappointed in the things they stay themselves on. God can easily lay those low who magnify and exalt themselves; and will do it. Carnal security ripens men for ruin, and makes the ruin worse when it comes. Treasures on earth cannot be so safely laid up but that thieves may break through and steal; it is therefore our wisdom to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven. Those that make flesh their trust, arm it against themselves. The God of our covenant will never deceive us: but if we trust men with whom we join ourselves, it may prove to us a wound and dishonour."

I was a very religious man at one time and in some aspects I still very much am but my trust was in what I did for the Lord rather in the Lord Himself and this is what the Father wants. That seems like a small price to pay for salvation, our trust, but that is what is asked of us. I became very weary and condemned when I tried to save myself through works but now my hope is in Christ Jesus and His Righteousness.