When God Turns the Tables

Most of the book of Obadiah pronounces judgment on the foreign nation of Edom, making Obadiah one of only three prophets who pronounced judgment primarily on other nations (Nahum and Habakkuk are the others).

 Obadiah’s singular focus on Edom points to a significant, albeit difficult, truth about humanity’s relationship with God: when people set themselves in opposition to God’s people, they can expect judgment, rather than restoration, at the end of life. Obadiah’s name means “worshipper of Yahweh” That God sent a man named “worshipper of Yahweh” to the people of Edom was no mistake.

Edom had been found guilty of pride before the Lord (Obadiah 1:3). 

 “You have been deceived by your own pride
    because you live in a rock fortress
    and make your home high in the mountains.”

 Edom had thought themselves greater than they actually were; great enough to mock, steal from, and even harm God’s chosen people. Now God is turning the tables. The abusers are now on trial before the final Judge.

 “Pride goes before destruction,
    and haughtiness before a fall.”

Prov. 16:18 NLT

DO YOU HATE SIN?

Have you given this deep thought? Think about it for a moment… How evil is sinning that Christ must die to pay for it? God had to send His son to earth clothed in flesh to die to pay for our sin.

The Lord says to Edom,
“I will cut you down to size among the nations;
    you will be greatly despised.
You have been deceived by your own pride.”

Do you hate sin like God hates sin?

 Edom discovered how much God hates sin. God wiped out the nation of Edom to preserve His names sake in Israel. The language of what God purposed to do in turning the tables on Edom is striking…

‘Who can ever reach us way up here?’
    you ask boastfully.
But even if you soar as high as eagles
    and build your nest among the stars,
I will bring you crashing down,

 He details that every nook and cranny in Edom will be searched and looted.

·      Every treasure taken

·      Your allies will chase you from the land

·      Trusted friend will set traps for you

·      Not a single wise person will be left in Edom

·      Your mightiest warriors will be terrified

Pride is the sin that turned the tables on Edom. Pride led to Judgement and judgement to justice.

 We can count on God to bring about justice. As we look around our world and see corruption, perversion, injustice. We may begin to think God is unconcerned and disconnected. Obadiah reminds us God keeps record of wrongs and in His time sets the scales of justice right.

 God is always at work, even when you can’t see it. The only records that God does not keep are the ones covered by the blood of Jesus!