The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; you who say in your heart, “Who will bring me down to the ground?” Obadiah 3
This verse rightly describes all proud people. Pride is self-deceiving. Those who are sure they have no pride are probably the proudest people. Those who are proud of their humility are proud indeed. And the confidence that we are not deceived may only prove the completeness of the deception. Let us look at how pride affected Edom.
1) They were deceived. Obadiah showed us certain areas in which Edom was deceived. They thought they were esteemed in honor. But God said that they would be greatly despised (Obad. 2). They had a false sense of safety and security because they were really near their destruction and did not know about it. They were overly confident of themselves and had said in their heart, “Who will bring me down to the ground?” but God said they will be brought down (Obad. 4). They thought they were wise, but God said no one in Edom had the understanding to know what was to come. And the alliances that Edom had built will ultimately turn against them (Obad. 7-8). It was their pride that resulted in their blindness and error in judgment.
2) Their pride led them to do evil. They were destitute of compassion. The Edomites were the descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob. Instead of standing with Israel in the day of their captivity, they fought against Israel. They rejoiced in Judah’s destruction and stood with the enemies to cut off those who tried to escape. Because of that, God said, “For violence against your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever” (Obad. 10). God’s displeasure with Edom is clear: “As you have done, it shall be done to you” (Obad. 15). Edom’s hostility to Israel brought enemies upon themselves. Their unkindness brought on them total annihilation. The word of the Lord to them was, “And no survivor shall remain of
the house of Esau” (Obad. 18).
In considering the Edomites and the pride of their hearts, let us look at ourselves so that we may not make the same mistake that they did. What can we learn from Edom that can benefit us?
a) Be careful of the deception of pride. “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). There are no other securities we can build for ourselves except our security in the Lord Himself.
b) Be merciful to others. Remember, what you sow is what you will reap. If you sow mercy, you will be shown mercy. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matt. 5:7).
c) Be your brother’s keeper. Don’t stand with your enemies against your own brothers in the faith. One of the worst things that can happen to you is when your enemies line up to destroy you. However, defeat takes on a different meaning when close friends and brothers also join the opposition.
This verse rightly describes all proud people. Pride is self-deceiving. Those who are sure they have no pride are probably the proudest people. Those who are proud of their humility are proud indeed. And the confidence that we are not deceived may only prove the completeness of the deception. Let us look at how pride affected Edom.
1) They were deceived. Obadiah showed us certain areas in which Edom was deceived. They thought they were esteemed in honor. But God said that they would be greatly despised (Obad. 2). They had a false sense of safety and security because they were really near their destruction and did not know about it. They were overly confident of themselves and had said in their heart, “Who will bring me down to the ground?” but God said they will be brought down (Obad. 4). They thought they were wise, but God said no one in Edom had the understanding to know what was to come. And the alliances that Edom had built will ultimately turn against them (Obad. 7-8). It was their pride that resulted in their blindness and error in judgment.
2) Their pride led them to do evil. They were destitute of compassion. The Edomites were the descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob. Instead of standing with Israel in the day of their captivity, they fought against Israel. They rejoiced in Judah’s destruction and stood with the enemies to cut off those who tried to escape. Because of that, God said, “For violence against your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever” (Obad. 10). God’s displeasure with Edom is clear: “As you have done, it shall be done to you” (Obad. 15). Edom’s hostility to Israel brought enemies upon themselves. Their unkindness brought on them total annihilation. The word of the Lord to them was, “And no survivor shall remain of
the house of Esau” (Obad. 18).
In considering the Edomites and the pride of their hearts, let us look at ourselves so that we may not make the same mistake that they did. What can we learn from Edom that can benefit us?
a) Be careful of the deception of pride. “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). There are no other securities we can build for ourselves except our security in the Lord Himself.
b) Be merciful to others. Remember, what you sow is what you will reap. If you sow mercy, you will be shown mercy. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matt. 5:7).
c) Be your brother’s keeper. Don’t stand with your enemies against your own brothers in the faith. One of the worst things that can happen to you is when your enemies line up to destroy you. However, defeat takes on a different meaning when close friends and brothers also join the opposition.
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