Title: Warning against Edom
Contents
The text proclaims the judgment to come on Edom from the beginning. Edom was originally a descendant of Esau, the eldest son of Isaac. It was a brotherhood that nature inherited from Israel. However, Edo had a hostile feeling toward Israel from the time of his initiation in his pride. For these sins of Edom, God first foretells the judgment that will come upon them intensively. At the same time, it clearly shows how the judgment will be fulfilled on Edom. Finally, it explains in detail what kind of sin they committed against Edom, which was to be judged in this way, and the reason why they were judged.
1. Prediction of judgment on Edom (Ob 1:1-4)
God decided to judge the Edomites. So, in order to fulfill his will, he commanded all the nations to rise up against the Edomites. However, God wrote the text of Ob 1:2 in the past tense to mean that Edom had already become weak. So what does the past tense mean? And Edom was indeed proud, and what was the basis of this pride? In addition, God said that he will 'bring down' these proud Edomites. What is the meaning of these words?
1) God judges Edom
It is certain that God will judge Edom and make them feeble. However, it is written in the past tense to emphasize that this will of God has already been decided and that this will happen clearly. This expression is called the prophetic past tense. In the face of such judgment, the Edumites were particularly proud in two respects. First, the Edomites lived on high geopolitical heights, which were like an impregnable fortress surrounded by rugged rocks and mountains. Naturally, they were proud of their absolute safety. Second, the Edomites were proud of their wealth because of the fertility of the land and the possession of many treasures in commerce through trade. But God told them to bring them down. In other words, it emphasizes the sovereign ability to judge without fail because there is no problem even if it is an impregnable fortress before God.
2) God's inevitable judgment
All human beings live in the sovereignty of God. However, Edom rejected this truth and relied solely on their own strength and wisdom. Of course, they were ignoring even God's judgment. But none of all mankind can escape God's judgment. Only when we truly appreciate the atoning work of Christ and ask for God's grace, we can escape from God's judgment forever.
2. Edom will be completely destroyed (Ob 1:5-9)
The Prophet Obadiah declared that Edom had so far lived in a safe place and wealth, but now it will be utterly annihilated. These judgments of God are explained in parables. What is the meaning of the parables? And it was said that Edom was betrayed by those who were reconciled. Who were the people who were reconciled with Edom specifically? So, why was Edom betrayed?
1) Edom Betrayed by Allies
When thieves and robbers loot, you can't steal everything. Also, grape pickers leave some fruit according to the laws and customs of the time. If thieves and robbers are like this, Edom will be completely destroyed without a single plunder left behind. By stating this fact as a metaphor, it emphasizes the miserable condition that Edom will face. Edom was allied with neighboring Arab countries such as Moab, Ammon, Tudu, and Sidon. However, Edom was invaded by the Nabataeans by God's judgment and fled to a place called Idumer in the south. At this time, the allies will consistently betray Edom, foretelling that Edom's suffering will be exacerbated. The main cause of Edom's betrayal was that their arrogance had darkened their wisdom and they had no discernment. Edom, which was once famous for having many wise men, had no wise men and no sense of humor, and it was a miserable situation.
2) God breaks pride
Pride is the vanguard of destruction. Edom's sin against Israel was great, but on the other hand, their pride was also a sin that caused judgment. God is the wise, the strong, and the one who puts to shame those who have. We, who are mere creatures, should be humble in everything before God, our Creator.
3. Why Edom was judged (Ob 1:10-21)
The text reveals the inevitable reason that Edom had no choice but to be judged. Then why was Edom judged? And when did the war between Edom and Israel begin? Finally, what was the specific violence Edom carried out against Israel?
1) Edom who committed violence against Israel
The reason Edom was judged was because they had done evil to God's people, Israel. This is the same great sin as resisting God. The feud between these two peoples began with the battle between their ancestors, Esau and Jacob. And as Edom rebelled against Israel who had left Egypt, the discord between the two peoples began again. In particular, Edom's evil deeds against Israel reached its climax around 586 B.C. when the city of Jerusalem was captured by Babylon. Edom, along with other nations, seized Israel's wealth, and also seized Israel's wealth while fleeing from the invaders' attacks. As such, Edom not only overlooked Israel's suffering, but also directly participated in the invasion, further exacerbating Israel's suffering.
2) Participate in suffering
God's people must learn how to look after each other and participate in suffering. Edom unilaterally hated and harassed Israel, and committed the great sin of delighting in Israel's suffering. As a result, Edom was hated by God and brought to judgment.
The prophet Obadiah spoke only a short message in a low voice. But that cry was enough to make the nations tremble in fear. Obadiah powerfully proclaimed judgment to come upon Edom. This was a natural retribution for Edom's iniquity. Behind this judgment, we can see that God's hand in control of the history of all nations as well as Edom and Israel is hidden.
1. God's Purpose for Mankind
There is no record of the image of the prophet Obadiah. But he was a prophetic prophet. He looked directly at Edom with a keen insight, and he was a person with a terrible destructive power that would cool the chatter. He also wanted to bring the news he had heard to the people who were going to be destroyed. The prophet Obadiah cried out that God had already taken up the sword to strike Edom, and that ignoring this fact would result in the sword of judgment.
At that time, the Edomites were a people of wisdom, understanding, and great discernment. But God took the sword of judgment because they planned to disobey God's command. Although a brief prophecy, we can find two facts here about God's purpose for mankind.
The first is the fact that God is in control of human history. God is in charge of all phenomena that have appeared throughout human society, culture, and economy, and humans have only passive movements. Humans are turning to astronomy and trying to understand the mysterious universe. But in the end, these efforts arrive at the fact that all things and the universe are created and controlled by God.
Second, God purifies human history. Obadiah implicitly describes human history, saying, ?쏷he kingdom shall be of the Lord??(v. 21). This is God's ultimate purpose here. It is the fact that God is always with us in the midst of human difficulties, and He is always with us until the dark shadow of sin is lifted, and He purifies human history. When we hold on to the word of Almighty God, we can receive the crown of victory.
2. God's way of punishing evil and its lessons
God revealed the sinfulness of Edom through the prophet Obadiah and foretold judgment at the same time. Therefore, we are going to look at how God punishes evil through the text.
1) The God Who Reveals Evil
First, God reveals all the sins of the wicked. Edom is exposing the sin of disobeying God and Israel.
God reveals evil deeds through apocalypse. To the prophets, God allowed them to see the eternal things of God with their spiritual eyes. Therefore, the servants of the Lord must look to God with their spiritual eyes before proclaiming the Word of God.
God reveals the image of sin through the news. The prophet Obadiah knew the sin of Edom not only through his spiritual eyes but also through the news. From the phrase "we have heard from the LORD" (v. 1). Humans have ears to hear the word of God.
God reveals sin through His Word. God sends many servants of the Lord to expose their sins.
God's purpose in revealing his sin is to destroy Edom by using Assyria and Babylon.
The reason God reveals the image of sin is because, as he said, "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23), sin leads to destruction. It is also to save those who believe in Jesus Christ and repent.
2) God who judges
God always judges sinners through the wicked. Assyria and Babylon are all rebellious sinners. But God judges Edom through them. The purpose of using such a wicked person as a tool is because it can achieve the best effect in revealing the heinousness of sin.
And it is to show that God is moving people's hearts.
3. Edom's folly
Relying on material things, Edom was an impregnable fortress. However, no matter how strong a fortress is, if God wants to judge it, it is nothing more than a sand castle. Humans often depend on their own knowledge and materials. However, they eventually realize that this is in vain.
Edom trusted allies around him. Edom was at that time allied with Ammon, Tire, and Moab. However, you must realize that in the end they came to attack Edom. We should be careful about relying on people.
Edom believed in the knowledge of the scholars. At that time, they believed in the Edomites, who excelled in wisdom, art, and science. But God said that man's cunning schemes lead him on the road to destruction.
Edom relied on those in power. Edom relied on Deman, located in the southern provinces. Humans have a delusion of serving heroes. It is like a fool who takes refuge under a tree on a day of lightning.