The vision of Obadiah has shown us thus far the downfall of Edom and the reasons for it. They were prideful, insatiable, and thought themselves to be beyond the judgment of anyone. However, they did not factor in God, and now that their indictment has been handed down, their sagacity begins. Obadiah relates the beginning of their judgment in verse seven. He wrote:
All the men of your confederacy have brought you [even] to the border: the men that were at peace with you have deceived you, [and] prevailed against you; [they that eat] your bread have laid a wound under you: [there is] no understanding in him.
When everyone seems to be with us, there is a sense of peace and safety. However, when those we trust turn against us, all rest becomes unsettled. This is the case with the nation of Edom. Obadiah reveals the truth about those with whom Edom thought themselves in alliance. He wrote, “All the men of your confederacy have brought you even to the border:” Those with whom Edom was in league, aligned with, and were once on the same team have now turned against them. Oh how difficult it is for us when those we once trusted now bring us into difficult times.
Obadiah adds, “the men that were at peace with you have deceived you, and prevailed against you;” At one time these now opponents were at peace with Edom, and now deception has set in. Predominance has become the fate, and rather than being ones who get along, Edom now has enemies. Isn't it interesting how contracts and commitments, covenants and promises can for one moment in time seem impenetrable, and then in an instant or two be broken and violated? Business partnerships, marriages, leagues, churches, and other institutions by which promise and alignment is made with other people have a presumption of being fortified and everlasting only to find that courts and judges become the final destination of dissolution. Edom thought they had allies. Edom thought they had peace. Edom thought they had it made, but they soon discovered the very people they put their trust within were the ones who also would bring them down.
Obadiah finishes this verse with two more descriptions of Edom's opponents - “they that eat your bread have laid a wound under you: there is no understanding in him.” At one time Edom's allies ate bread with them and had such a close relationship with Edom that they participated with them in the intimacy of eating. Eating with someone was a symbol of becoming as one with another person. As each person would take a piece of bread and dip it within the soup that was usually provided, they were participating in a unified action. The one loaf was becoming part of each of the participants bodies, and they were considered as one. Now these who were unified have wounded Edom, and rather than having a friend with understanding, they now have a foe who has laid a “wound” which means a “net” or a “trap” under them.
Edom's judgment has begun. People they trusted have brought them to the boarder, deceived them, and prevailed against them. They who were once unified are now opponents and foes who do not have care or understanding for the people of Edom. When we consider Edom as a type of satan or even our flesh nature, this judgment is good. Satan and his influence must be destroyed, and our flesh must have judgment pronounced against it. However, if we will take a little time to ponder this verse, perhaps we shall find ourselves within it, and realize that some of the alignments we have made have now come back to haunt us. Hopefully we will understand that the Heavenly Father is concerned with the covenants we make with other people, and before we align ourselves with any person or group, perhaps the judgment of Edom will come to mind and our choices will be bathed in prayer.
Next time we will see the actions of God Himself against Edom, 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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