This is a chilly statement from a prophetic book written to an ancient people. It would be safe to assume these people weren’t friends with the LORD. The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the LORD GOD concerning Edom—and so begins the book of Obadiah tackling the people of Edom.
I wanted to challenge myself and write on an entire book in the Bible. I love writing on single verses. Short statements. General ideas. Expository writing. “Shining a light on the original meaning.” But as someone who not only loses the forest for the trees but the trees for the leaves, I thought it might be good to get out of my comfort zone. Take a leap into unknown. So I chose Obadiah. It is the shortest book in the Old Testament. Okay, I don’t want to leap too far my first time.
The vision of Obadiah… concerning Edom. The Edomites. Who are these strange people and why did they disappear from the planet? (And why do I care?) First things first. Abraham had Isaac. Yes, yes, I sound like a genealogy, therefore, I must be doing a history lesson. Next thing you know, I’ll start using “begat” which signals a Biblical history lesson. Isaac and Rebekah begat twin sons, Esau and Jacob. GOD changed Jacob’s name to Israel. And, presto change-o, the twelve tribes of Israel were birthed. And thus comes into being the chosen people of GOD, through Jacob, aka Israel.
But what about Esau? I’m glad you asked. Esau’s kids were called the Edomites. The Edomites and the Israelites were cousins. And like all families, they had their ups and downs. Jacob and Esau had a rocky relationship, if you recall your Bible history. But amazingly, they did reconcile. But Esau ran to meet him [Jacob], and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept (Genesis 33:4 NASB).
Fast forward a dozen, hundred, thousand years and ask “Oh Esau, it’s two thousand years later and do you know where your kids are?” Yes, yes we do. They are in the rocky mountain area Southeast of the Dead Sea (Israel is North and West of the Dead Sea). Since they were cousins with Israel, they got along beautifully, right? No border disputes, right? I mean Jacob and Easu reconciled and because of that, all their kids were BFFs, right?
Wrong. Not even close. Obadiah 10-14 tells a chilling story of one brother’s sin to another. Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever. On the day that you stood aloof, on the day that strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them. Obadiah 10-11 ESV.
You were like one of them. Israel has had its share of invaders. And when the invaders came, what did Edom do? Edom stood there and watched as foreigners entered Jerusalem and took what they wanted (part of 11 CEV). Edom chose not to help. I know it is evil to steal, murder, or destroy. But to stand and watch as stealing, murdering and destruction occurs—is that evil? Are they as guilty as the ones performing the actions? Would it have made a difference? Should they have done something?
What did they do while watching? They rejoiced at the fall of their brother—Why did you celebrate when such a dreadful disaster struck your relatives? Why were you so pleased when everyone in Judah was suffering (12 CEV)? Youch, they celebrated? Okay, so maybe their sin isn’t so bad. They didn’t help, they just watched. That’s bad but not as bad as helping the enemy, right? They were afraid, maybe. Yea, that sounds good. They were in fear of their lives? Edom, you helped when the invaders left, right? They are MY people, and you were cruel to them. You went through their towns, sneering and stealing what was left (13 CEV).
It’s so sad. Edom. Brothers to Israel. Rejoicing at Israel’s destruction? Looting what was left? They did what they wanted because they thought they were safe. GOD tells them: “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?’” Obadiah 3 NASB
Okay, that’s Edom, not us. I mean what does an old book written to a people who no longer exist mean for us today? I think I might have a clue. Have you ever asked, as the psalmists and prophets of old have asked “How long, O LORD, how long?” We look around. We see evil. We see the enemy gaining ground. Why is nothing done?
For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head. Obadiah 15 ESV
Why doesn’t GOD administer justice now? Why does HE wait? What is HE waiting for? The LORD is not slow about HIS promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NASB
GOD is just. And HE is merciful. HIS waiting is for those who don’t know HIM so they can know HIM. HE desires reconciliation. So HE waits. But be warned, HE does administer justice. Edom found out.
What happened to Edom? Why have they disappeared from history? Obadiah tells us. The house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau stubble; they shall burn them and consume them, and there shall be no survivor for the house of Esau, for the LORD has spoken (Obadiah 18 ESV). The rest of the book describes the division of land on who gets what.
Babylon and Edom were allies, at first. Instead of joining with Israel--their cousin, and defending her, Edom chose Babylon. The Babylonians rewarded Edom's alliance by destroying the Edomites. The children of Esau ceased to exist in history.
What should we take from this lesson? You surely don’t think much of GOD’s wonderful goodness or of HIS patience and willingness to put up with you. Don’t you know that the reason GOD is good to you is because HE wants you to turn to HIM? Romans 2:4 CEV
Edom had the claim of being relatives with Israel—the chosen ones of GOD. And that didn’t save them. They did evil and were punished for it. GOD knows what is happening. HE saw the evil in the world then and HE sees it today. HE waits—not because HE fears doing something. HE waits because HE desires each person to reconcile with HIM. But as we see with the Edomites, there is an end to HIS waiting. The day of the LORD is near upon all nations.
Will you be reconciled with the FATHER or will you be in rebellion?
For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only SON, that whoever believes in HIM should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV
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