Book of Obadiah: Edomites and the sin of pride

Do you ever find yourself struggling with pride in your daily life as a Christian?

It is a common challenge we all face.

In the bustling world we live in, humility can sometimes feel like a scarce commodity. However, the Book of Obadiah offers valuable insights into the dangers of pride and the consequences it can bring.

Obadiah might not be the most frequently discussed prophet. But his words hold immense significance.

With this being said, this article will discuss God’s message through Obadiah. This way, you can be aware of how the sin of pride manifests and navigate its complexities in your own life

Summary of the Book of Obadiah

Obadiah might not be a household name in the Bible, but his message is worth your attention. He was a prophet who had a unique calling to deliver a powerful message from God.

In his book, Obadiah focuses on the Edomites, a people closely related to the Israelites. He addresses their sin of pride and arrogance, which led to their downfall.

The Edomites thought they were invincible. But Obadiah reveals how their pride blinded them to their vulnerability.

Israelites, God’s chosen people

God had a particular relationship with the Israelites, often referring to them as His people. But ever wondered why the Israelites are called “God’s chosen people“?

There are two key reasons:

Firstly, God chose Israel to fulfill a promise made to Abraham.

He assured Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation and inherit the land of Canaan. This promise was rooted in Abraham’s faith and obedience.

Secondly, God wanted Israel to be a model nation. He wanted them to show the rewards of obedience and the consequences of disobedience to other nations.

Moreover, this served a larger purpose, as through their lineage, the Messiah would come, bringing blessings to all.

The relationship between the Edomites and the Israelites

In the Book of Obadiah, the Edomites and the Israelites are closely related both in terms of their ancestry and their geographical proximity.

Their relationship provides a backdrop for understanding the contrast that is central to the book.

Lineage

Ancestrally, the Edomites and Israelites share a common lineage.

According to the Bible, they are descendants of two brothers, Jacob (Israel) and Esau.

Esau is considered the progenitor of the Edomites, while Jacob is the forefather of the Israelites. This familial connection makes their enmity and the contrast between them in the Book of Obadiah all the more significant.

Attitudes

However, the contrast between the Edomites and the Israelites in Obadiah revolves around their attitudes and actions.

The Israelites faced their fair share of challenges and adversity. Yet, they oftent turned to God.

Meanwhile, the Edomites exhibited pride, arrogance, and a lack of compassion when neighboring nations encountered difficulties.

The Israel flag. (Photo by Taylor Brandon from Unsplash)

Edomites and their pride

Because of their towering pride and belief that they were invincible, Obadiah delivered a stern message from God. This message vividly portrayed their sense of grandeur and their unwavering confidence in their invulnerability. He wrote,

“The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?” (v.3).

However, their pride was their undoing. God declared that even if they exalted themselves as high as eagles and established their nest among the stars, they would be brought down.

The Lord’s pronouncement in verse 4 reveals the consequences of their arrogance.

Despite their lofty aspirations, God’s judgment would shatter their illusion of impregnability, demonstrating that pride, when unchecked, leads to downfall.

In line with this, let us break down the pridefulness of the Edomites. Why exactly were they so arrogant?

Pride in their “impenetrable fortress”

The Edomite’s land was characterized by rugged, mountainous terrain, making it naturally defensible.

Such a geographical advantage led the Edomites to develop a sense of invincibility within their lofty mountain strongholds. They became so proud that they even believed themselves to be impervious to God’s judgment.

Mountainous terrain. (Photo by Jeff Guab from Pexels)

Arrogant due to their possession of wealth and knowledge

Geographically situated at the crossroads of the ancient world, Edom held a strategic position where trade routes from Egypt, the Gulf of Aqaba, Syria, and Mesopotamia converged.

One notable trade route, the “King’s Highway,” was controlled by Edom and even denied to Israel (Numbers 20:14-22). This position of trade dominance led to the accumulation of considerable wealth for Edom.

Moreover, being an international crossroads exposed Edom to constant advancements in various fields of knowledge and worldly wisdom.

Their influx of wealth and wisdom contributed significantly to their pride and arrogance as a nation.

Gloated over others’ distress

Another aspect of the Edomites’ pride is one marked by their cruel actions towards their fellow “brothers,” the people of Judah.

As mentioned, Both Edom and Judah were descendants of the twins Jacob and Esau, so they shared a familial connection.

However, when Judah faced invasion and distress, the Edomites did not extend compassion or support. Instead, they stood by and gloated over their suffering and defeat (vs. 11-12).

What more, the Edomites went beyond mere bystanders.

They actively hindered the escape of fleeing Judahites, either killing them or imprisoning them. Shockingly, they even participated in looting Jerusalem after the defeat (vs. 13-14).

Gold bars. (Photo by Jingming Pan from Unsplash)

How are modern Christians like the Edomites?

In today’s world, it is not uncommon to find parallels between the actions of some modern Christians and the attitudes of the Edomites in the Book of Obadiah.

Just as the Edomites fell into the trap of pride, so can some of us.

Moreover, like how the Edomites took pride in their wealth, knowledge, and perceived invincibility, modern Christians can sometimes become prideful in their achievements.

It can be in terms of career success, academic accomplishments, or even the comfort of their lifestyles. This pride can lead to a sense of superiority, where we may inadvertently look down on others or assume that we are invulnerable to life’s challenges.

Additionally, like the Edomites who gloated over the distress of the people of Judah, some modern Christians may, at times, lack empathy or compassion.

They may also try to hinder the progress of others, which we often refer to as “crab mentality.”

Instead of supporting fellow believers or those in need, we may engage in destructive behaviors, such as criticizing, undermining, or discouraging others’ efforts to succeed.

Two men laughing at a woman. Photo by Keira Burton from Pexels

Overcome the sin of pride

It is crucial to reflect on the lessons from the Edomites’ pride and arrogance and consider how we can avoid falling into the same traps in our own lives as Christians.

The first step is to recognize that pride can be a stumbling block in our Christian journey.

Just as the Edomites’ pride led to their downfall, unchecked arrogance can distance us from the grace and teachings of Christ.

Moreover, instead of emulating their prideful ways, let us focus on overcoming the sin of pride and turning towards the example set by Christ, practicing humility in our daily lives.

Christ Himself provides the ultimate model of humility.

He, the Son of God, chose to serve, washing the feet of His disciples and sacrificing His life for our sins. His actions teach us that humility is not a sign of weakness but a mark of genuine strength and love.