JUN 23

Obadiah 2-4
Memorise Psalm 119:160
"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him."

We can know more about the Edomites by referring to verses within Obadiah itself. Verses 2 to 4 give us more clues as to what they were like. We read first of all that Edom was “small”, compared to the other heathen nations. This is true in history. The other neighboring heathen nations were the Assyrians, Chaldeans, Egyptians, Syrians and the Arabs – all big and mighty nations, some of which still exist to this day. Compared to these other nations, the Edomites were a small and insignificant people. Verse 2 also tell us that not only were they small in comparison, they were also “greatly despised” among the heathen. This made them vulnerable to attack because of the hatred other nations had for them, which was prophesied to happen in verses 15-19.

Verses 3 and 4 tell us that the Edomites dwelled in the “clefts of the rock”. Historians have found such dwelling places which consisted of cave-like dwellings that were carved out of the rock located on mountains and high places. Such dwelling places provided natural defenses for the Edomites. Not only were they protected by the surrounding rock, they were also located on a high place. In ancient warfare, it was difficult and required more effort to attack a place that was located higher up, while on the other hand it was easier for those on a higher plane to ward off attackers that were ascending upwards towards them. Hence, in v3 we read that the Edomites took pride in being located on such an easily defendable fortress. They believed that no one could bring them down. But there was really nothing to be proud about. There was no preventing God’s judgment. It did not matter how formidable their cities or high walls were, or how powerful their armies were. To God, these are all nothing compared to His great power.

They thought that they could sin against God and not fear judgment because their defenses were impregnable. But, we know from history that this was not true because, eventually, they too were conquered and destroyed, never to be heard from again.

Thought: The best defenses are useless without God's protection. We can only trust in God's protection.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, may you guard my heart from the dangerous sin of pride.