Build your SECURITY in GOD alone, NOT in self-made DEFENSES!
September
24 Bible Reading: Obadiah Chapter 1
Build your SECURITY in GOD alone, NOT in self-made DEFENSES!
"The
pride of your heart has deceived you, you who dwell in the clefts of the rock,
whose habitation is high; you who say in your heart, 'Who will bring me down to
the ground?' Though you ascend as high as the eagle, and though you set your
nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down," says the Lord.
(Obadiah 1:3-4)
Prophet
Obadiah was a relatively unknown prophet from Judah whose message was addressed
to Edom, a nation situated in the mountainous region south of the Dead Sea. The
book of Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament but tells us the long
story spanning the timeline from the early period of Genesis even to the time of
the New Testament. Frederick Tatford has made the following assessment of the
prophecy of Obadiah: “The prophecy of
Obadiah is unique in the character of its contents. It is a book of unmitigated
condemnation, unrelieved by any suggestion of compassion or hope.”
What began
in the womb of Rebekah as a rivalry between the twins Esau and Jacob (see Gen.
25:21–26) matured into a long-standing feud between two nations— Edom and Israel.
The prophecy of Obadiah is against the Edomites, who were descendants of Esau
and bitter enemies of the people of Israel. They are pictured as having
rejoiced over the fall of Jerusalem. When the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem,
the Edomites rejoiced and helped the enemy instead of helping their brethren (see
Psalms 137:7–9).
After behaving
treacherously towards Israel, the Edomites were seemingly secure within the
stony clefts of Petra, their capital city. This city was located in a mountain
stronghold some 5,000 feet above sea level. In the Bible, this city is referred
to as Sela, meaning ‘rock’ (Judges
1:36; 2 Kings 14:7; Isaiah 16:1; 42:11). This city could be approached only by
a narrow pass that could be defended easily against invaders making it an
almost impregnable fortress. This produced an arrogant sense of security for
the people of Edom as they felt invincible living “in the clefts of the rocks” (v. 3).
Edom’s pride
came from two sources: the security of
their location (v. 3b) and the
inaccessibility of their location (v. 3c). With their capital city securely
protected, the Edomites boasted, “Who will
bring me down to the ground?” God announced that He would be the One who
would destroy them. Their self-exaltation led to God’s determination to bring them
down (v. 4).
What were the sins of the people of Edom? Pride
stands at the top of the list and God
hates pride. The people of Edom boasted in their high and haughty position
by taunting their enemies: ‘Who will
bring me down?’ She reckoned herself secure in the clefts of the rock, but
her trust in earthly fortifications proved deadly and ultimately tragic.
It is pride
to believe we are invulnerable and to place our trust in any other than God. He
will humble those who exalt themselves in this way. Today, let us ask God to
reveal any areas in which our hearts are deceived because of pride. Let us exalt
God always. Let us glorify God for any security and success that we experience
every day. Above all, let us remember to
build our security in God alone and not in self-made defenses!
