SCRIPTURE: Obadiah 1:1-21

OBSERVATION:
Edomites were descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother (Israel). Their gloating and cruelty at Israel’s fall will be punished. ‘Do unto others’ is a two-sided coin, the other side is, ‘It will be done to you as you have done’ (v.15). Even if God’s people deserve punishment, those who gloat or mistreat them will be punished. All our supposed securities will fail us if we oppose God’s ways. Those who trust in the Lord will soar like eagles (Isaiah 40:30-31), but those who rebel against Him will be brought down (v.4).

APPLICATION:
The ‘church’ may be a mess and may deserve to be punished, but this is not a reason to gloat or to eagerly knock it down. We must live and act in godly, gracious ways to everyone, even when they fall for their sin. God resists the proud and helps the humble; this is not a call for us to bring down the proud for God, but to be humble and gracious. ‘Do unto others’ is still the best way; if I want to be treated mercifully for my failures, then I should be merciful to those who fail.

PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for Your amazing patience with me. Help me to share this with others. Help me not to gloat when my oppressors come to a bad end, but to be merciful like You. Amen.