Edom Destroyed Forever!

Reading: Obadiah
My Verse:  1:4  "Though you mount on wings as the eagle and though you set your nest among the stars, I will bring you down from there, says the Lord."

Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Malachi all address the demise of Edom.  And yet here is this little book devoted entirely to Edom's doom.  I once heard a pastor say that if God repeats a message then you had better pay attention to that message! 

So on the first reading I am like - okay . . I've read about this before, Lord.  But, it must be important.  So I read it again (it is very short), then things start to pop out. 

Oh, Edom is prideful.  They are secure in their own strength, thinking no one can touch them on their mountaintop.  But, God, You tell them, "I will bring you down from there."

Edom gloats over the destruction of Israel, even helping in it. (10-14)  So . . . "For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations.  As you have done, it shall be done to you; your dealings will return upon your own head." (v. 15)

Edom is destroyed and never restored.  ". . . and there shall be no survivors of the house of Esau, for the Lord has spoken it." (v. 19)

The message I take away from this?  Lord, I can never trust in my own strength.  I am never to gloat over the misfortune of others- for Your hand is in that for Your purposes!  Finally, I can rejoice because Edom, which represents 'self' and 'pride' is destroyed forever!  That is a great hope!

Thank you, Lord, for renewal and  transformation!  "Though our outer man is decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day after day." (II Corinthians 4:16)

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!