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Sibling Rivalry
Obadiah
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“The pride of your heart has deceived you” Obadiah vs 3a[/perfectpullquote]Sibling rivalries are nothing new, as we’ll shortly see. If, we’re honest and have siblings, we’ve experienced them. I love baseball. Here are some famous siblings
from baseball. The DiMaggio’s, Niekro’s, The Perry’s, Dean’s, and my favorite duo, Cal and Bill Ripken. Testosterone had to run rampant in those homes.
Obadiah, what’s an Obadiah? It’s one of the little known books of the Old Testament. Packed with only 21 verses, in a sense Obadiah is a miniature
profile of the message of all writing prophets. It follows Amos.
Obadiah begins by stating, “Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom”. Anytime we hear, “Thus says the Lord GOD, we better pay attention. Continuing, “Rise up! Let us rise against her for battle!”
Who were the Edomites? They were the descendants of Jacob’s brother Esau. Do you remember these famous siblings? You may trace their story by reading Genesis, 27-33. The animosity between the Edomites and the Israelites is one of the oldest examples of discord in human relationships.
Judgement against Edom is mentioned in more Old Testament books than against any other foreign nation. From verse 10-21, Obadiah paints a pretty grim future for the Edomites. In verse 10, “Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob” Just as Esau pursued Jacob, so Edom did violence against Judah. And instead of coming to the aid of their brother Jacob, the Edomites acted like the foreign invaders (Babylonians).
From verses 12-14, we see the deeds of violence of the Edomites: gloating, looting, and so on. Their actions speak volumes of how not-to treat your brother.
Edom illustrates God’s judgement to come on “all nations” who rebel in arrogance against God. God is not a fan of the proud. Proverbs 15:25b, “The LORD will tear down the house of the proud”. And from James 4:6, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble”.
“Pride leads to an unjustified sense of personnel superiority, and when we feel this way about ourselves, we naturally look down on others and mistreat them.” James Montgomery Boice “The short book of Obadiah presents a powerful message. It shows what happens to those who reject God’s Word and His grace, rebelling in foolish pride. One who responds in obedience to the grace of God has everything to gain, but a person who spurns His grace in pride has everything to
lose.” From Walter Baker, “The Bible Knowledge Commentary”
Tom Dye
