The Humbling Of A Wicked Nation—3

     As we begin this third post considering the humbling of Edom, please remember that pride was at the heart of so many of his problems. Pride made him arrogantly self sufficient, boastful of his possessions, and contemptuous of God. Jehovah noted his increasing pride and his unwillingness to repent of it. His judgments against Edom are found spread throughout the writings of many prophets. Obadiah dedicates his entire prophecy to the eventual humbling of that sinful nation. As we consider Obadiah’s prophecy, we continue to note how the pride of Edom would lead to his destruction.

     “If thieves came to you, if plunderers came by night—how you have been destroyed!—would they not steal only enough for themselves? If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave gleanings? How Esau has been pillaged, his treasures sought out! All your allies have driven you to your border; those at peace with you have deceived you; they have prevailed against you; those who eat your bread have set a trap beneath you—you have no understanding.” (Obadiah 5-7)

     Scripture indicates who some of Edom’s allies would have likely been. Moab and Ammon were his neighbors so it would have behooved him to make treaties with them. In Amos 1:6, 9 we see that Edom was involved in the slave trade with Gaza and Tyre. Doing such business would require certain understandings and agreements that likely came in the form of treaties and alliances. Doubtless some of the Arabian tribes living near Edom would have seen the benefit in an alliance with such a powerful neighbor. As we will see in a later article, Edom’s hatred of his brother nation seems limitless. He truly appears to have adopted “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” mentality toward Jacob as evidenced by Asaph’s cry to God in Psalm 83:1-8. If a nation wanted to damage Jacob in some way, they could count on Edom supporting their decision and perhaps even lending his own warriors to the endeavor.

     Edom’s lofty dwelling in the mountains had him gazing imperiously and contemptuously at the nations dwelling below. Even without any support from any outside source he felt secure and utterly untouchable (Obadiah 3-4). However, he did have outside support. Edom had made alliances. So confident was Edom in his alliances that Obadiah’s prophecy indicates utter shock on his part when his allies turn on him, pillage him, and force him from his mountain strongholds. Dismayed, he would watch as his “friends” so thoroughly searched out his treasures that not a single valuable remained. The godless nations Edom placed so much hope and trust in would deceive him, attack him, and plunder him. 

     As I consider this step in Edom’s humiliation, I see some practical lessons for today. First, ungodly people behave in an ungodly manner. This truly is a “dog eat dog” world. More often than not the ungodly are faithful to their promises only up to the point where they see that remaining faithful benefits them in some material, physical, or social way. This is true of nations, businesses, and individuals. Edom’s allies knew of his wealth for Edom’s arrogance likely moved him to flaunt it often. Clearly those allies were biding their time, waiting for the perfect opportunity to break whatever agreements were in place and utterly ruin their “friend.” Nothing has changed over the years. Ungodly nations/people will behave in an ungodly manner. It is never a question of if, but only of when (Isaiah 30:1-5; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

     So what does this mean for us? It means that before we ever seek an alliance with any nation, business, people, or person we need to ensure that we have made an alliance with God. If Edom had been a God fearing nation, if he had humbled himself before Jehovah and praised him as the source of blessings and goodness, then there is no reason to imagine that he would have been destroyed the way he was. Edom would not have been proud, hateful, or wicked. When wind came that enemies were approaching his borders with cruel intentions he would have been able to appeal to God just as Asaph did in Psalm 83. He would not have been forced to rely upon his own strength or wisdom (another area of pride which will be discussed in the next article) but upon wisdom and might from God. Sadly, his wicked pride ensured that such an avenue for aid did not exist to him.

     In James 4:10 we read, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” What might have become of Edom had an alliance with God meant more to him than his alliance with ungodly nations? We’ll never know. Let us make God our Ally by humbling ourselves before Him. He promises exaltation if we will.