February 2
Straight from the Pastor’s Heart by Dr. Hernes Abante
Obadiah 1:12 - “But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress.”
Obadiah, one of the three prophets who pronounced judgment primarily on other nations, has written a book that declares judgment against the nation of Edom. Nahum and Habakkuk are the other two prophets who also delivered prophecies of judgment upon other nations. Though other prophetic books also contain sections that speak of judgment against Edom and other nations, Obadiah's primary focus is on God's judgment against those who oppose the people of God.
The book emphasizes that those who oppose God's people can expect judgment rather than restoration. Esau, the brother of Jacob, who was later renamed Israel, is the ancestor of the Edomites. The ongoing dispute between the two groups persists to this day.
It was not a coincidence for God to send a man named "worshipper of Yahweh" to the people of Edom. The reason was that Edom had been found guilty of pride before the Lord. They considered themselves superior to what they were, and their pride led them to mock, steal from, and even harm God's chosen people. However, Obadiah referred to God as "Lord GOD" to emphasize His supreme power over the nations, and He will not remain inactive while His people continue to suffer (1:1).
God reminded Edom of their mistreatment of His people through Obadiah (1:12–14) and promised redemption for the people of Judah, not for the Edomites (1:17–18). Edom, which eventually disappeared from history, is a prime example of the truth found in Proverbs 16:18: “Pride comes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.”
Do you sometimes prioritize your needs and desires without considering how they might affect others? Obadiah's message warns us about the negative impact of pride and self-centeredness. It encourages us to recognize God's authority over our lives and align our actions with His purpose. Obadiah reminds us that although pride has been a problem since the beginning, we can find hope in being God's people and trust in His plan to restore all things.
Our Prayer for today:
Dear God, we often forget that pride was the original sin that brought sin into this world, and yet we still find ourselves having a prideful attitude toward others. Please help us always be aware of Your presence and remind us of our unworthiness so that we may magnify You. May we not judge others harshly, but instead, encourage them with humility and love. We pray this in Christ's name. Amen.