Our background gate today leads upward, to the “heights” (so to speak), to lovely living accommodations. The gate could almost look like a copper gate (if we were to use our imagination).
The ancient nation of Edom was located where current-day Petra is now located. The Edomites were known for their magnificent cities and dwellings which they carved high out of the rock. Their cities were incredible marvels of engineering! Additionally, the Edomites grew enormously wealthy by mining and smelting copper.
Who exactly were the Edomites? Believe it or not they were distant relatives to the people of Israel. In fact, both the Edomites and the Israelites descended from the great patriarch Abraham. Not only that, but they also both descended from Abraham’s son, Isaac.
Isaac had two sons: Esau and Jacob. Esau was the firstborn, but because he despised his birthright and chose to sell it to his younger brother Jacob, he forfeited his place as the next patriarch of the family. (see Genesis 25:27-34) On top of that, Esau was deceived by his brother Jacob, so he wound up losing the family blessing as well. (see Genesis 27:1-45)
Esau was so angry he wanted to kill his brother Jacob … and the bitter animosity of Esau’s descendants continued right on down through the years.
This brings us to the book of Obadiah. The book of Obadiah was written entirely for the people of Edom … the descendants of Esau.
The book of Obadiah is a message of warning to the people of Edom regarding their mistreatment of the people of Israel. (Obadiah 1:10-15)
“This is what the LORD says: ‘For three sins of Edom, even for four, I will not turn back my wrath. Because he pursued his brother with a sword, stifling all compassion, because his anger raged continually and his fury flamed unchecked.” – Amos 1:11
“Remember, O LORD, what the Edomites did on the day Jerusalem fell. ‘Tear it down,’ they cried, ‘tear it down to its foundations!’” – Psalm 137:7
“Edom will be a desert waste, because of violence done to the people of Judah, in whose land they shed innocent blood.” – Joel 3:19
Our background photo features prominently a “Do Not Enter” and “Wrong Way” sign. This could represent the fact that the people of Edom, living in the “heights” with gates of “copper” would not help the people of Israel in their time of greatest need.
In the book of Obadiah, God calls out Edom’s mistreatment of their fellow relatives, but even more so, God calls out Edmon’s pride. “The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’” – Obadiah 1:3
“See, I will make you small among the nations; you will be utterly despised.” – Obadiah 1:2
The book of Obadiah, just like the book of Amos, points out the fact that God is very serious about how we treat others! God will hold us accountable!
Also, Obadiah, just like Amos, points out that although we might think we are successful and stable … God can shake us to our very foundations! God can and will bring pride down!
“The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.” – Proverbs 16:5
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” – Proverbs 16:18
Jesus Christ in Obadiah
God’s judgment of Edom and deliverance of Israel is a picture of Jesus’s ultimate judgment of all mankind at the end of time and the salvation & deliverance Jesus provides for those who trust in Him. (Revelation 19:11-16)
The future glorious kingdom of Jesus is prophesied – Obadiah 1:17; Obadiah 1:21
