For many days now we have been studying the book of Obadiah, and we have found that God Almighty is very displeased with Edom's behavior. They were prideful, greedy, insatiable, and trusted in their own fortitude and alliances, however, they and all their behaviors were now the target of God's wrath. In the last couple verses we have learned exactly what Edom did to deserve God's attention, and we have found that rather than participants in resisting Judah's destruction they looked upon them, cheered against them and bore prideful faces as their enemies were captured. Today we learn more of Edom's malicious behavior. In verse thirteen Obadiah wrote:
You should not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yes, you should not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid [hands] on their substance in the day of their calamity;
Three more infractions are added to Edom's charge. First, they “should not have entered into the gate of my people...” Notice that God calls them “my people”. Even though Israel is the “people” of God, God was now allowing their defeat and capture. Because they went through tragedy and trial doesn't mean that God did not claim them. Sometimes God allows correction to come so that we may draw closer and closer to Him. Also notice Edom's offense, “entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity.” In other words when Judah was defeated, people in Edom came into their cities in the aftermath. Edom took advantage of the people of Judah when they were at their lowest point.
Secondly, Edom once again is referred to as “looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity.” The idea here is that Edom went into their cities gloatingly observing all the damage that was done. They gazed upon and inspected the harm done to their enemies and enjoyed pillaging through their tragedy.
Finally, Obadiah wrote that Edom “laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity.” This is the third use of the words “day of their calamity” which indicates that God is very concerned as to the timing of Edom's actions as well as their behavior. In the time when Israel was being destroyed, Edom engaged these most deplorable ways. Now those from Edom took it up another notch. They “laid hands on their substance” or in other words, took items that belonged to Judah. They looted Jerusalem after it had fallen to the Babylonians. Like those who take advantage of a riot or public disaster, people from Edom ransacked the cities and took things for themselves.
What happens inside us when our enemies fall? Are we like Edom in our actions or behavior? Are there people that we secretly desire that judgment from God would fall upon their heads? Do we speak adversely against anyone who has done us wrong in the past? Perhaps the ways of Edom are much closer to us than we think. Jesus said, “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you,” (Luke 6:27-28) How do we react to His words? One of the interesting ways of God is that He says something like this but is also able to keep it. God loves people who do not love Him, and God's desire is to draw close to them so they will realize how much He cares for them. Edom may have taken actions that are similar to ours at times, but our God in Heaven is constantly on the lookout to help those who are against Him even in their times of calamity. May we all learn from the Heavenly Father.
Next time we will see two more negative actions that Edom took, 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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