Recall that Edom was the land adjacent to the south and east of Judah, inhabited by the descendants of Jacob’s brother Esau. Although they were a minor kingdom, they were not backward. The major ancient trade route that ran through their land made them cosmopolitan for their day and wealthy from trade. They were also proud because they saw themselves as secure in their high rock fortresses, and they looked down on their neighbors. They were able to pillage others, but no one was able to penetrate their defenses.
Here are a couple links to more information about the area that once was Edom.
https://randalldsmith.com/obadiah-reasons/
https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/326
The pictures will give you a greater understanding of why the Edomites felt so secure and proud. The architecture in the photos is from the people who inhabited their land after the Edomites were destroyed, but doubtless they simply improved what Esau’s descendants had built, and their buildings were made possible by infrastructure devised and built by their predecessors.
The history and pictures will also remind you that the Edomites were not just the people this obscure book talks about; they were real people who lived lives similar to ours: they took pride in their homes and their culture, they enjoyed great security, and thus they enjoyed stability and prosperity. They couldn’t imagine being taken from their homes or their prosperous lifestyles; nevertheless, they were. Could you imagine your home being so long abandoned that it becomes a historical curiosity? That our homes wouldn’t survive to be architectural and historical wonders like these structures, attests to the cleverness of this lost people; their abilities may have exceeded ours! They were magnificent, but that didn’t make them immune to God’s sovereignty. And neither are we.
This book reminds us that God is sovereign over all nations. We may be tempted to fear the power of other nations, but they are in God’s hand. He can destroy the wealth and power of any nation prospering today, just as He destroyed Edom so thoroughly that no one believes they were ever great because no one remembers anything about them at all.
Obadiah is also an interesting reminder that God’s people have always been engaged in a battle for their existence. Just as modern-day Israel is surrounded by powerful nations who hate her and are determined to destroy her, so God’s people were surrounded in ancient times. They have suffered much, have long been exiled from their land and thus deprived of the privilege of being a nation. They have suffered much hatred and persecution as exiles. But today they exist as a nation once again, and enjoy a measure of respect on the world scene because of God’s amazing care for them. They are a thriving, dynamic nation, while Edom is an abandoned tourist attraction. God can do the same to every one of Israel’s modern-day enemies.
Do you have cares from watching the news, about which you need to talk to the sovereign Lord, your Heavenly Father? The one who loves you and wants to hear you express your thoughts to Him even though He already knows them all, is also powerful enough to do something about your concerns. Take them to Him today!
If you have read from January 1st, you are now halfway through the Bible! Please recognize your accomplishment and celebrate it! If you haven’t been faithful to read daily, please don’t let the enemy get you down about that. Rather, you have the next half of the year to improve that performance. Choose now and commit to God to take advantage of His power to help you form this new habit for life.