Obadiah 1:1

The Bible says in Obadiah 1:1-3, “The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.[2] Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised.[3] The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?” Obadiah’s prophesy focuses on one small nation, the nation of Edom. Because human nature does not change, and because God’s principles do not change, there are important lessons that we can learn from this judgment that was pronounced against Edom. If we do not learn from history, we are doomed to make the same mistakes. The messages of the prophets of the Old Testament are messages about history from a spiritual standpoint. Of course, the Lord Jesus is involved in what happens to every nation because He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. When we look at these nations in the Old Testament and God’s message to them through the prophets, we are learning what we need to know about our own nation and about ourselves.

Edom was a small nation. It was small in size and small in power. God determines which nations become great nations, and which ones do not. God said to Edom in verse 2, “I have made thee small among the heathen.” There is nothing wrong with being small unless God has brought you down for a reason. God raises up nations and brings them down, just like He does individual people, Why did God make Edom small? We are told that in verse 3: pride. God said, “The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee.” It says in Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Of course, pride is a false view of reality. We are totally dependent upon God. He gives us life, He provides our needs, and He determines our destiny. If we have an ability, or an opportunity, or a success, it all comes from Him. If we are protected from enemies or from dangers in this world, it is because He is protecting us. For anyone to think that they are what they are or that they have accomplished what they have accomplished by their own efforts or abilities, then they are living a lie and they are an affront to God. Notice the first thing on the list of that which God hates. It says in Proverbs 6:16-19, “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:[17] A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,[18] An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,[19] A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” God hates pride because He loves people. God hates pride because pride keeps people from being saved. To be saved, a person must humble himself or herself, and admit one’s sins, and turn to Jesus for help and salvation. If you are full of pride, you will not do that.

Why were the people in Edom so proud? They were protected. They were established. And they said about their safe situation, “Who shall bring me down to the ground?” What they failed to recognize was that God was the true source of any security that they had, and they should have been trusting in the Lord, depending upon the Lord, and praising the Lord for what He had done for them. The people of Edom thought they were invincible. Many people make that mistake, especially young people. It says in First Corinthians 10:1-12, “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;[2] And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;[3] And did all eat the same spiritual meat;[4] And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.[5] But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.[6] Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.[7] Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.[8] Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.[9] Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.[10] Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.[11] Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.[12] Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

The Bible says in Obadiah 1:4-9, “Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.[5] If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes?[6] How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up![7] All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee: there is none understanding in him.[8] Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?[9] And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.” God is making it clear to the Edomites that He will bring them down. Never forget this: God has created a hierarchy in this world where He is at the top and al other authorities are found at the various levels beneath Him. God lifts up some and casts others down, as He will for His own reasons and purposes. As we see with the nation of Edom, God decided to cast them down because of their sins. The fact that God is over all authorities, means that He has put those authorities in place, and that is why Christians who were living under the Roman Emperor in Romans 13:1-7, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.[2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.[3] For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:[4] For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.[5] Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.[6] For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.[7] Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.”

The message of God to the Edomites was that He was going to do a very thorough job of bringing them down. A thief might not steal everything. A thief might at least leave something to the owners. The job that God was going to do was going to be much more thorough. God would leave nothing. A gatherer of grapes might leave a few grapes after gathering the harvest. The judgment that God was going to bring would be much more thorough. God would leave nothing. You do not want to fall into the hands of the living God. Turn to Jesus and find salvation while there is time and before the grim reaper comes.

In talking about the destruction that God would bring upon the Edomites, God mentioned that He would bring down their strong men and their wise men. Of course, that will be an easy task for God, but people of the world tend to forget that or ignore it completely, and they tend to rely upon their human strength and wisdom. God said the strong would fail because He would cause their confederates and their partners to turn on them. All people need help from their neighbors and their brothers. United we stand, but divided we fall. God said to the Edomites, “the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee.” God can give unity, but sin and pride divides people. And then the divisions lead to weakness and failure. We need each other, even those with whom we do not always agree; and so when we do not have each other, we suffer for it.

Notice that when God described how He would destroy Edom, God said in Obadiah 1:7-8, “there is none understanding in him.[8] Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?” There are few things in this world more important than wisdom. It says in Proverbs 4:7-9, “Wisdom is the principle thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy wisdom get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.” The type of wisdom that every person needs comes from God. God is the source of all rue wisdom. It says in James 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him.” Another important truth to remember is that there is a difference between the wisdom that God gives and the supposed wisdom of the world. It says in First Corinthians 1:18-29, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.[19] For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.[20] Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?[21] For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.[22] For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:[23] But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;[24] But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.[25] Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.[26] For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:[27] But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;[28] And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:[29] That no flesh should glory in his presence.” One of the benefits of being saved through faith in Christ is that we have access to the wisdom of God, which is much different than the “wisdom of the world” and much more important. The Edomites found that out the hard way. Do not make the same mistake.

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