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).
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