|For the day of the LORD draws near on all the nations. As you have done, it will be done to you.| Obadiah 1:15
Do we desire the very best for our sisters in the Lord? Or does the distress which comes upon them please us? The middle section of Obadiah reveals the true hearts of the Edomites. It gives us reason to stop and ponder the true estate of our own hearts. Do we have a heart that desires the best for our sisters?
This post goes along with our study Reading Twelve Old Testament Books. You can purchase the workbook here: Study Guide for Reading Twelve Old Testament Books.
Jacob and Esau Are Brothers!
As we read the shortest book in the Bible Obadiah, we see the names Edom, Esau, and Jacob, mentioned numerous times. Maybe you have wondered who they are? Let’s take a trip back to the beginning. The book of Genesis 25:19-26 gives an account of the birth of Jacob and Esau. Twin brothers, sons of Isaac and Rebekah, grandsons of Abraham. In these verses we see God’s message for Rebekah, she would give birth to two nations. The nation of Israel/Jacob, Genesis 35:22-29, the nation of Edom/Esau, Genesis 36: 1-43. One people or nation would be stronger than the other, the older would serve the younger.
Historically we know that Edom was a rebellious people! Old Testament History tells us God in His sovereignty chose Israel as His beloved nation. Through the nation of Israel would come the Messiah, Jesus Christ. All planned before the foundation of the world and brought about in the womb of Rebekah.
How Can One Brother Act This Way?
In Obadiah 1:10-14, we see the true hearts of the Edomites. We see the true heart of Esau toward his own brother. The Edomites violence against Jacob starts when Israel approached the Promised Land. Numbers 20:14-21. God will keep the promise He made to Abraham. Genesis 12:3, |And I will bless those who bless you. And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you, all the families of the earth will be blessed.| Edom had touched the apple of God’s eye!
|I know God is sovereign. Before the twins were born God had a plan. Romans 9:9-13. the struggles and the violence by one nation to another, brother against brother, all designed with a greater purpose than you and I can understand. God planned everything before the beginning of time. However, God’s Sovereign Rule never takes away man’s responsibility for his actions!|
So we will land here with this question? |How can One Brother act this way toward His own Brother?”
- How could one brother gloat over the other brother’s distress?
- Why would a brother stand back and watch as his brother is attacked and do nothing?
- Where is this brother when he is attacked? Participating in the evil deeds!
But I have not Done these Things spoken in Obadiah?
I know where my mind first goes when I am reading Old Testament accounts. Yours may too. The violence, the plotting and pilfering, and the evil, I have never done such things! How can this apply to me? Just so happens I am studying the book of James preparing to write our next Bible Study!:) James 1:19-20, teaches this,
|“This I know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.“?|
In our hearts, we have broken the Ten Commandments. Jesus teaches about anger toward our brother in Matthew 5:21-24, stating anyone who is angry toward his brother is guilty before the court. We are commanded to go and make peace with our brother/sister. John says this in 1 John 3:15, “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”
God’s word shines its light into our dark places. It shines the light on the heart of Edom and it shines the light on our hearts as well.
So I will go first! Yes, I have had unholy thoughts concerning my sisters in Christ. At times I’ve been jealous, unloving in my heart, and gossiped. Gossip is just as bad as Edom participating in Jacob’s distress. Do you see what I am getting at?
It is time for a heart check. Do I have a heart that desires the best for my sisters in Christ?
A Heart That Desires the Best for My Sisters!
I am learning as God sanctifies and matures me in Christ, there are so many, many things that really do not matter. Things in my mind that were so big and important now pale in comparison to what matters most. Love, unconditional love for my sister, that is what matters most, after my love for God of course! “We love because He first loved us.” I John 4:19.
Is there a sister or even a brother you are not loving well today? Sisters, we have a very high calling from God. We are one body in Christ Jesus, the Church. I belong to you and you belong to me. We cannot properly function without loving and serving one another as God requires! Let’s go to God in prayer asking Him where are hearts are today. Be of courage, He has the answer and the power to change that which needs changing! With God all things are possible!
What are you going to do today to love your sisters Well in Christ?
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“As you have done it will be done to you”. We see this in other parts of the bible where it says those who set a snare for others will be caught in their own snare, and those who dig a pit for others will fall into their own pit. Jealousy is something that would cause us to do this. Saul was jealous of David because he saw God doing something with David that God was not doing with him. This is an error that we make. In the end it caused the destruction of Saul and nearly his entire house. The bible says that these stories are profitable for admonishing, teaching, exhorting and doctrine. Through God and his Holy Spirit we can conquer our mortal enemy whose name is Jealousy.
Yes, lindam!!! So thankful for the HolY Spirit that empowers and defeats our enemy “jealousy”! I am very thankful for God’s word that teaches and exhorts! Where would we be without Him?