God’s destruction of Edom is a lesson of the inevitable end of any nation that proudly builds its nest among the stars. A nation, because of military might, may consider itself to be invincible. It may soar like an eagle above its fellow nations, but its idea of being secure against a fall is a delusion.
Neither man nor nation can escape the hand of God. The destruction of Edom is a clear picture of God’s dealing with the proud, impenitent nation. The situation with Edom was it thought, because of its mountain fortress, it could sit and do nothing when its brother was being attacked.
It is a grave sin to be neutral in some matters. One such “matter” is Christianity. We Christians must take a stand for Jesus. He said you are either with me or against me (Mt. 12:30). I wonder how many of us have remained silent about our faith in Jesus choosing to be neutral, instead of speaking up. Edom committed the sin of neutrality, along with pride.
Arrogant pride, whether in a man or a nation, has always been an abomination to God. Proverbs 16:18 says “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall”. Obadiah reminds us that God opposes the proud who treat their brother with cool indifference or aggressive hostility.
Of course, pride has always been one of man’s greatest problems. It began in the garden when Satan convinced Eve she would become like God. As a nation, are we becoming more like Edom, letting our pride exalt us; thinking we can’t be brought down; thinking we have a nest among the stars? Remember the God of Edom is the God of America.
Greely Kirkpatrick