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[expand title=”Devotion Text”]Obadiah 1:1-4
The vision of Obadiah. This is what the Sovereign LORD says about Edom– We have heard a message from the LORD: An envoy was sent to the nations to say, “Rise, and let us go against her for battle”– “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.
If you ever have trouble locating the book of Obadiah, don’t worry. It’s the shortest book in the Old Testament and is named after an obscure prophet whose name means, “Servant of the Lord.” The message is hard-hitting and straight to the point.
God declares that the nation of Edom is going to be destroyed because of the way they have treated His people. The tension between the two nations actually began in the womb. The Edomites were descendants of Esau, Jacob’s twin brother. Esau was born first with Jacob grasping his heel. Later on, Esau sold his firstborn rights to Jacob for some red stew. Because of that unthinkable transaction, Esau was given the name Edom – the Hebrew word meaning “red.” The Edomites and the Israelites (Jacob’s descendants) continued the struggle until God, fed up with Edom’s actions against Israel, said, “No more!” As one writer says, “Obadiah is Edom’s day in court, complete with Edom’s arraignment, indictment, and sentence.”
What do we learn from Obadiah? Pride goes before a fall! Edom’s arrogance and cruelty against God’s people led to their doom. Obadiah teaches us that even when it seems our enemy is winning, in the end, God will always deliver His people. Now that’s a promise to hold on to!
Father, You are in control. You promise to protect Your children. Your ways are not our ways, and Your timing is not always our timing. But thank You for the certainty that in the end, You will bring us safely home. In Christ’s name. Amen.
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