The biblical book Obadiah is one chapter long, and yet it can still leave an impact on those who sit with it and study its words. The main theme can be summarized this way: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Unfortunately, the original audience of the book, the nation of Edom was only going to learn the first half of that theme, and it would happen the hard way. 

The peoples of Edom and Israel were distant family. The Edomites were descendants of Esau, Jacob’s twin brother, while the Israelites were Jacob’s successors. Furthermore, they also shared a border, but they weren’t always the best of neighbors. When Judah was being invaded by Babylon around 586 BC, rather than help their distant cousins, the Edomites helped their enemies instead! Despite the ties of kin, Edom had kicked Judah while they were down, but what Edom had not counted on was that God would be faithful to His people. In other words, when one nation messed with Israel, they messed with God himself. Edom was arrogant and proud, and it would bring about their downfall. 

If we take a snapshot of Israel’s struggles with Edom and then zoom out, we can see a panoramic view throughout history of God opposing the proud but giving grace to the humble. Even His own people, Israel when they became too haughty and began to forsake the Lord and mistreat the poor and needy, God would humble them by sending judgment against them. Yet, He never stopped loving them, and even after they were taken over by a foreign power and sent into exile, not only did he promise to be with them, but He would judge the very nation that He had sent to judge them, Babylon. One important lesson in the Old Testament that we must remember as we face uncertain times and clashing of nations is that no matter what, God is in control of the events of history. It is He who raises up nations or brings them down. This truth can bring us great comfort as individuals as a church especially when we hear of the chaotic situations involving countries the world over. 

Obadiah also gives us a glimpse into the gospel story. Like the nation of Israel, Jesus the “new Israel” was mistreated and misunderstood by his own family and people. John’s gospel says that “he came to his own but his own did not receive him” (1:11). His family was confused by him, his nation as a whole rejected Him, and even His disciples eventually fled from Him. Yet, He entrusted himself to God his Father’s justice and his vindication was proven when He was raised from the dead. Now, “to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, he gave them the right to become children of God, children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:12-13). Now, all nations and all people in all nations stand where Edom once stood and as such we all have to make that choice. Do we oppose God and reject His Son, mocking His offer of salvation and hardening our hearts? Or do we fall to our knees in humble adoration, accepting and welcoming this Son into our hearts, rejoicing in His salvation and using our “hearts of flesh” that He has given us? In turn, do we share this with others so that they too may avoid the coming wrath? We the church stands in the place that Obediah once stood, and rather than simply proclaim God’s message to one nation, we are called to go to all places, all people and proclaim the gospel so that they would turn from sin and be saved. 

Obadiah may seem ancient to us, but it also gives us a warning today. Christians are not immune to pride, to thinking that in every area of life it must be “my way or the highway”. Pride has a way of hardening us, making us immune to God’s beckoning to follow Him and find life. When we crucify our pride, we put ourselves in a position to grow in Christlikeness, to continually be renewed by God’s love and grace toward us. Edom thought they could reject God and not suffer the consequences of scorning His divine love. May we never be found guilty of such an offense, but instead take the love He has shown to us in Jesus Christ and offer it to everyone, everywhere though our actions, our words, and our lives. Remember, He really does oppose the proud and gives grace to the humble. 

Your Brother, 

Craig