Key word: Arrogance
If there is any book in the Bible, which might seem inconsequential, it would be Obadiah. It is the shortest book in the Old Testament. We know nothing about the author except his name (there are 12 Obadiah’s in Scripture); we do not know when he wrote his book, or the special circumstances he is talking about; it is not even addressed to the Jews, instead it is addressed to Edom, descendants of Esau, not Jacob, who lived SE of Judah. Yet, Obadiah has a message for us today.
Although cousins, Israel and Edom were not kissing cousins – they never got along. In addition, while Israel worshipped Jehovah, at least officially and at times, Edom worshipped idols. The two sons of Jacob parted ways not only geographically, but also spiritually. As the years moved on, the day came when the Jews were under attack. This could have been on one of two occasions – around 586 B.C. when Babylon was destroying Judah, or years earlier (around 845 B.C.) when the Arabs and Philistines invaded with great destruction. Either way, while Judah was being devasted, Edom stood aside and even participated in the destruction (v. 14). Edom thought it was untouchable due to their location (v. 3). This was Edom’s great sin – they trusted in Mt. Esau (v. 8) instead of Mt. Zion (v. 17), which represented God. As a result, the Lord will bring them down (v. 4). The central message of the book is addressed to those who in their arrogance thought they were self-sufficient and even invincible. They ask in their hearts, “Who will bring me down” (v. 3c), and the answer is, God will (v. 4c). Arrogance deceives us into believing in ourselves. Humility directs us to trust in God.
This is a book about the consequences of pride and arrogance and therefore our key word is arrogance and our key verse v. 3a. May we learn from Edom’s example.
Key verse: Obadiah 1:3a – “The arrogance of your heart has deceived you.”
