Friday, October 8, 2010

Obadiah: The Pride of Your Heart Deceived You

Obadiah may be one of the shorter books of the Bible, but it is a stunning indictment against Edom and the descendants of Esau.   From the day that Esau sold his birthright to Jacob, when he got the name Edom,  there had been animosity between their descendants.  The relationship didn't improve when Edom refused the children of Israel passage on their way to the promised land.  While the land of Edom was prosperous during the time of the Exodus.  Today it is primarily a waste land as promised by God. 
  "See, I will make you small among the nations;
       you will be utterly despised.

 The pride of your heart has deceived you,
       you who live in the clefts of the rocks 

       and make your home on the heights,
       you who say to yourself,
       'Who can bring me down to the ground?'

 Though you soar like the eagle
       and make your nest among the stars,
       from there I will bring you down,"
       declares the LORD.
  - Obadiah 1:2-3 NIV

Edom's final act of rebellion against God was to look on with pleasure as Israel was being destroyed.  God's message to Edom still applies today.  Any nation that thinks they soar among the stars will be brought down if they go against God's anointed people.

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