The Humbling Of A Wicked Nation--2

     In our last post we began discussing the nation of Edom. We concluded by mentioning that one particular prophet was given an entire prophecy about the things that would happen to that nation in their future. The prophet’s name was Obadiah and his entire book, though short, is all about Edom. Eventually they were to be entirely destroyed as a people. Obadiah tells us the reasons why and in the process provides several practical warnings.

     Obadiah 1-4 says, “The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the Lord God concerning Edom: We have heard a report from the Lord, and a messenger has been sent among the nations: ‘Rise up! Let us rise against her for battle!’ The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?” Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the Lord.”

     The judgment against Edom was in large part due to his godless arrogance and pride. The first specific object of his arrogance mentioned by Obadiah was his location. Dwelling in the mountains southeast of Judah, Edom occupied very formidable territory. The fabled city of Petra, carved right into the rock, was in the midst of the land held by Edom, though it was carved out later by the Nabateans, an incredibly advanced tribe of Arabs who forced Edom from his home. Edom dwelled in towering mountains and narrow passes where we’re told that twenty trained warriors could hold off hundreds. He thought himself impregnable and thus his pride knew no bounds.

     It is interesting that God began His judgment against Edom by summoning the nations to rise up in battle against him (Obadiah 1). Edom was contemptuous of other nations, holding them in derision. He could not fathom that they could ever breach his fortifications. While these nations would be the tool of God’s wrath, God Himself was going to see Edom brought down to the ground. He was going to be the One to do this (Obadiah 2-4). Edom’s pride was a direct insult to God for God determines the “allotted periods and boundaries” of all nations (Acts 17:26), not presumptuous man.

     Pride has ever been one of the terrible killers of nations. For your own benefit take the time to read of the role pride played in the downfall of the following nations and cities: Assyria (Zechariah 10:11), Babylon (Jeremiah 50:29, 31-32), Egypt (Ezekiel 30:6), Tyre (Isaiah 23:8-9), Sodom (Ezekiel 16:49), Moab (Isaiah 16:6), Ammon (Zephaniah 2:10), and Philistia (Zechariah 9:6). You and I should especially note that God’s own people did not escape the punishment for their pride: Israel (Hosea 5:5), and Judah (Jeremiah 13:9, 17).

     Let us take from these examples that pride always begins with an inflated view of one’s own importance, safety, possessions, intelligence, and abilities. In Edom’s case we will find pride in each of these areas but possessing it in even one is sinful and judgment worthy. Whether it be in this life or in the next the end result of pride will always be the same—destruction. It becomes even more deadly when we consider that its deceptive qualities (Obadiah 3a) nearly always lead to missing its necessary outcome. The Proverb writer said, “pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (16:18) Though the proud may be knocked from their pedestal in this life, they will most definitely be knocked from it when they stand before the Judgment Seat to answer for their life’s activities (Romans 14:10-12).

     I am convinced that the greatest deterrent to pride is the practice of constantly chronicling evidences of our dependence upon God for everything good we enjoy or achieve in this life. From a business and financial perspective one could achieve nothing were it not for God’s blessings of health and mental acumen. As it pertains to our families we are reliant upon God’s granting us love and the blessing of procreation (Psalm 127:3-5). As it pertains to talents and abilities within the church we must remember that they are gifts from God to be used to further His purposes (Romans 12:3-8). As it relates to salvation, God took every step necessary to make salvation possible and revealed to us what we must do to achieve it by His grace and mercy (Romans 5). What place does pride have in the life of the saint? Absolutely none. “So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty’” (Luke 17:10).

     Without his pride, I wonder what would have happened to Edom? With it, I know what will happen to us (Proverbs 16:18).           

The Humbling Of A Wicked Nation--1

     When we consider the wicked nations mentioned throughout Scripture we have a very long list to choose from. Yet the one nation that is continually set forth as a symbol for absolute godlessness and worldliness is the nation of Edom. Who were these people? Genesis 36:8-9 tells us, “So Esau settled in the hill country of Seir. (Esau is Edom). These are the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in the hill country of Seir.”

     When we discuss the people of Edom we’re talking about those who descended from Esau. Of all the nations of the earth, Edom was the brother nation to Jacob. While brothers should love and care for one another, the relationship between Jacob and Esau could never be described in that way. In fact, their animosity for one another appears to have begun within Rebekah’s womb. Genesis 25:22-23 says, “The children struggled together within her, and she said, ‘If it is thus, why is this happening to me?’ So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her, ‘Two nations are in your womb, and the two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.”

     As the brothers advanced in age Esau became a hunter. On one particular day when Esau was weary and famished he demanded some stew from Jacob. Jacob agreed on one condition, found in Genesis 25:31-34. “Jacob said, ‘Sell me your birthright now.’ Esau said, ‘ I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?’ Jacob said, ‘Swear to me now.’ So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.”

     The birthright of Esau would have included the wonderful promises made to Abraham. Included in those promises was the wonderful spiritual promise that all the nations of the earth would be blessed through the seed of Abraham, a reference to Jesus Christ (Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:16). Thus, very early on in our introduction to Esau, we see that he possessed a very dismissive and cavalier attitude toward spiritual considerations. This is also seen in his taking Canaanite wives (Genesis 26:34-35), a choice that greatly hurt his parents.

     If Esau is considered a profane or unholy person (Hebrews 12:16), then the nation who came from him took his ungodliness to another level entirely. You may be surprised to learn that Esau and/or Edom are mentioned 187 times in the Scripture. Even more surprising is the fact that 21 of the Old Testament books have something to say about them. However, most noteworthy of all is that not a single mention of this nation is positive. Without fail they are set forth as an extraordinarily wicked and godless people (Isaiah 34, etc). 

     The first recorded meeting between the brother nations immediately paves the way for the sort of relationship they were going to have as the years progressed (Numbers 20:14-21). Having escaped Egyptian captivity and seeking to pass through the lands belonging to his brother Edom, Israel was rebuffed. Asking again with a promise to pay for whatever may be eaten or taken on the journey, Israel was again refused admittance with a pugnacious show of force.

     Things would not improve between the brother nations. As the years progressed Edom’s hatred of Jacob only intensified. Finally, a prophet arose whose sole mission was to speak God’s judgment upon Edom. In fact, this man’s entire prophecy was about God’s wrath being poured out upon Edom. The prophet’s name was Obadiah and his message was a terrible one for the nation that had become almost unbelievably wicked and hateful. 

     In the next six posts we shall consider God’s judgment upon Edom as set forth in Obadiah’s prophecy. In so doing we will find many lessons for our lives today. Eventually, those of Edom who were not destroyed were absorbed by the nations until they ceased to exist as a distinct people altogether. Obadiah tells us exactly why it happened.         

Before Criticizing

     I have a tendency to be rather self-critical. This can be both bad and good. The bad is that a self-critical person will occasionally beat his or her self up over things they absolutely cannot control. The good is that developing a critical eye toward self helps to ensure that one continues “walking in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” (Ephesians 4:1)

     It is very easy for the naturally self-critical to begin viewing everyone, including (especially) brethren, through a very critical lens. If one is not careful they can find themselves offering more criticism than encouragement, more criticizing than edifying. I fully understand that criticism and rebuke is necessary at times (2 Timothy 4:1-2). I also fully understand that the motive behind any criticism I offer must be correct or I am guilty of sin. Thus, I have worked very hard to train myself to ask a few questions before I criticize. Perhaps you will find these questions and the points that follow helpful.

     Does my criticism come from jealousy or envy? These are such ugly traits for Christians to possess. Pilate was sharp enough to recognize that Jesus stood before him because certain ones were envious of Him (Mark 15:10). I have heard fellow preachers lambast a brother behind his back, picking at just about anything they could think to pick at, and for the life of me could not find any reason for them to do it besides envying his talents, number of published articles, and impressive meeting schedule. When I open my mouth to begin criticizing a brother or sister in Christ I had best pause and make sure something besides the “wisdom” of demonic jealousy (James 3:14-15) is motivating me. If not, I need to bite my tongue and get busy making some very important heart corrections.

     Does my criticism come merely from a difference in opinion? Sometimes it’s difficult to remember that opinion (something God does not condemn one way or the other) is not to be made a test of fellowship or a cause for stumbling. I encourage you to take a few minutes to read the entirety of Romans 14 before continuing. Nothing must be made a test of fellowship that is not a test of salvation. To become critical of someone over nothing more than matters of opinion is to elevate an issue that has no business being elevated. Those who are called upon to do nothing from rivalry or conceit, to be humble enough to count others as more significant than themselves, and to focus more upon the interests of others than themselves (Philippians 2:3-4) simply have no business criticizing one another over a difference of opinion for genuine love does not insist on its own way (1 Corinthians 13:5). When I open my mouth to criticize I must ask myself if something more worthy than a desire for my personal opinion to be accepted is motivating me. If not, I need to bite my tongue and turn my focus inwardly to fix what needs fixing.

     Does my criticism come merely from a difference in style? Many times a preacher or Bible class teacher will say something that I would have said differently. Many times they present God’s Word in a style that differs from mine. So what? If they have not taught error, have made God’s Word understandable, and have comported themselves as men of God than our difference in style is simply that. Just because I might have said a thing differently or used a different passage does not mean the expression or passage they used was wrong. Different styles are equally valid when the same truth is being taught. I make it a practice not to pull a new preacher or Bible class teacher aside to tell him “I would have said it differently.” If the way he said it was clear and the truth was taught than a difference in style usually isn’t important enough to mention. There will be exceptions to this, particularly if he asks for input, but let us bear in mind that a difference in style is usually not a good reason for becoming critical.

     Does my criticism come from a desire to bring this person down or hurt them in some way? Sometimes people are cruel to us and there is a desire on our part to strike back at them. When we’ve been hurt and our emotions have been incited it is sometimes difficult for us to remember the example of Jesus as described by Peter in 1 Peter 2:21-23. He did not repay reviling for reviling, trade wound for wound, or seek to get even. He continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly. The Father says vengeance belongs to Him and He will be the one to repay (Hebrews 10:30). Vengeance and retribution are not mine to seek and if they are motivating my criticism I must bite my tongue and remember my place.

     As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, there are times when criticism is not only valid but also necessary. However, the motive behind my giving it is paramount to my own spiritual health. If my motives for criticizing are wrong, even if my words are right, than I have sinned and am in need or repentance (Philippians 1:15). In a society as critical as this one, let us beware lest we become critical people whose hearts make valid criticism impossible. 

"You Christians Are Nothing But Hypocrites!"

     A couple of years ago I wrote two articles based upon a poll question found on the Cincinnati Enquirers website. The question was, “Should Ohio legalize same-sex marriage?” A common theme in the “Comments” section of that poll question was that those claiming to love Jesus Christ who voted “no” were hypocrites because everyone knows Jesus was all about love and it is hateful to stand against any group of people seeking happiness. Recently in a discussion forum I was attempting to reach a man who at one time claimed to be a Christian but no longer made such a claim. Ignoring essentially every verse I used, he chose to end the discussion abruptly with this parting shot: “You Christians are nothing but hypocrites and I won’t have anything to do with you.” I have even heard similar statements from those who have truly been washed with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.  

     This is a favorite statement for Christians who want to drift back into the world or for those who don’t want to obey to begin with. Somehow seeking to justify their actions, they begin to point the finger at the supposed hypocrisy of Christians. I have even heard preachers from the pulpit bemoan the hypocrisy “prevalent” within the church today. Mr. Webster sets forth this as his first definition of a hypocrite: “A person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, esp. a person whose actions belie stated beliefs.” 

     The church our Lord died to establish is not full of hypocrites and to say otherwise is untrue. What it is full of are imperfect people who are striving for perfection, but aren’t there yet. “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:45). The Christian must make it his goal to be like the Father. If he refuses to make this his goal then he yields the right to be called one of God’s children. The effort must exist and the Father has promised to aid us. However, I would be lying to you if I were to claim that I have reached this goal and no longer have to worry about stumbling or missing the mark in my life. Never forget that John is writing to Christians when he said, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). A Christian is not a sinner in the sense that he or she lives a life characterized by sin. However, there will be times when a Christian breaks Christ’s law and sins (1 John 3:4). This makes us imperfect, not hypocritical!

     Now, I imagine that hypocrites probably do exist within the church today. There probably are some who pretend to be righteous and holy who do not really possess those traits but are merely fooling their brethren. However, I am not so cynical, or dishonest, to claim that the church is full of such people. My brethren are like me. I don’t always live up to the standard that I claim, but I am not a hypocrite! I will deny this charge with every breath! I am trying to be pleasing to the Lord and I know that the vast majority of my brethren are doing the same. My brethren and I are imperfect, not hypocritical. 

     Now, let us suppose for the sake of argument that this charge were true. What of it? How does another person’s hypocrisy change my responsibility to God? If every Christian in this world was a Christian in name only and putting forth no effort to really be what he or she claims, what does that have to do with me? Am I released from my obligation to God? Does their hypocrisy somehow excuse my own duty to God? Can any thinking person believe it? The truth of the matter is that this is a deceptive and dishonest charge born from a misguided, desperate, and unholy attempt to justify one’s own sinful actions. It is a dishonest straw man argument that misses the real issue by miles: the sickness of my own soul and my unwillingness to obey the Lord. 

     Only one child of God ever achieved sinless perfection and that was Jesus Christ Himself. Has every other child of God who has ever sinned been nothing more than a hypocrite? No. Shame on those who say that they were.