The plot grows ever thicker as we look deeper and deeper into the reasons why God is so against Edom. Edom, as we have learned, is very prideful and insatiable. They believe themselves to be secure and in need of no one. They are greedy, and they believe in the false strength of their nearby allies. However, the all reaching and unpreventable God in Heaven is against them, and now their fate is doom. Today we learn in particular just what Edom did to deserve all this judgment, and if we are wise, we will pay very close attention to this one. Obadiah wrote in verse ten:
For your violence against your brother Jacob shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off for ever.
The reason for the judgment was “violence against your brother Jacob” or as Jacob is known by another name, “Israel”. As we learned in earlier lessons, Edom was the name given to Esau who was the brother of Jacob after he ate the red pottage by which he forwent his birthright. Now we see how that plays into our current prophecy from Obadiah. Edom as a nation was a brother nation to Jacob or Israel, and now they have been indited for “violence” against them. Woe be to any nation that comes against Israel, and if there needed to be any proof of this, look further into God's words through Obadiah.
“Shame shall cover you”. In other words disgrace, dishonor and humiliation is Edom's fate. Edom has been violent against Jacob or Israel, and now they will pay the price in full...”you shall be cut off for ever.” Forever is eternal. Forever is everlasting, and although the shame of Edom is bad enough, now they will be eliminated, hewed down and destroyed forever. If we have not seen that the official decisions of God are not minacious and foreboding by now, we shall never see it. God is the protector of Jacob and those who dare to come against Israel are not wise and shall be dealt with by the all-mighty God.
Satan comes against us in subtle yet violent ways. Our flesh nature can lead us to actions that destroy us. According to the gospel of John in chapter ten and verse ten satan's purpose is to “steal, kill and destroy”, but Jesus' purpose is to “give you life, and life more abundantly”. Is it any wonder that God is against those things that act violently against fellowship and relationship with Him? When Edom rose up in violence against Jacob, God's attention was directed at eliminating them. So shall it be with satan and our flesh nature. God has those actions which are contrary to Him in aim, and should we be aware of His pursuit, yielding is our greatest resource. Whenever the Heavenly Father decides to remove enemies against our soul, His love and compassion for us drives Him to take complete action. His love for us compels Him, and nothing that comes against us shall impede His ways.
Edom acted in ways contrary to Jacob, and God was watching. Edom failed to realize the protection of God for Israel, and those who are against His children should take heed of this warning today. God desires a relationship with all who will come to Him through His Son Jesus who died for our sins on the cross. May all who read these words come to the all-powerful, unimpeded, and saving grace of Almighty God before shame and being cut off becomes their fate as Edom's.
Next time we will see specifically how Edom was against Jacob, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
Look for the new devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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