We have been studying the prophetic words of Obadiah against Edom and have seen the reasons for Edom's judgment. Their prideful, insatiable, and greedy ways will not protect them even though they believe their confederacies and wisdom are fortresses of security. We have seen how Edom is a type of satan and our flesh nature, and when God desires to come against someone or something, no one can resist Him. Today Obadiah continues his pronouncement of judgment in verse nine of this ominous book. He wrote:
And your mighty [men], O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.
Edom's confidence was in their ability to hide. Edom's confidence was in their strength, and Edom's confidence was in their might, but none of them were opposition enough to resist the mighty hand of God. Obadiah mentions not only “mighty men” but also “Teman” or “South” who was a descendent of Esau. He was referring to an entire region of Edom that was in the aim of God. This time the judgment is not only clear, but also complete.
Obadiah warns of their fate, “shall be dismayed” or shattered, broken and made scared. These opponents of God and Israel were now to be frightened to the point that none of them would be brave. Obadiah says “to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.” Once the pronouncement was made, Edom was cut off by slaughter. How many Edomites do we know today? When God is serious about the elimination of someone or something, nothing can stand in His way.
Now it is interesting when we look at Edom as a type of satan and the flesh. Paul the apostle wrote in the book of Galatians in chapter five and verses nineteen through twenty-one:
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, sedition, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
All of the above actions are a direct result of our flesh nature. We have a loving Heavenly Father who desires a relationship with each of us, and yet, we have a flesh nature. The actions that we participate within are often contrary to God, and many of us boast that we really don't have a problem with them. Sometimes our confidence within ourselves is much like the people of Edom in that we believe ourselves to be fortified and beyond the reach of God. But when we surrender our lives to God through belief in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, all our flesh nature is as Edom before Him. It must be destroyed, and our natural tendencies must be dealt with one by one. As with Edom this will be a complete slaughter, and the works of the flesh must be cut off. Satan will continue to persuade us to follow in our fleshly ways, but every one of them will be under attack. God loves us too much to allow us to continue in ways that are contrary to Him.
Edom is under attack from God, and so will our flesh nature be should we choose to follow Him. Although our natural tendencies may be to resist God in this, as these enemies of God are removed, a place for fellowship and relationship with God is made that is beyond compare. May we ever be available and yielded to our Heavenly Father's desire to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Next time we will begin to see specifically why Edom is to be judged, 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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