Creator, Father, King #153

The day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.

THINK ABOUT YOUR COUSINS. What are they like? You probably have some really cool cousins that you enjoy hanging out with and some really wacky ones that make family gatherings, uh, awkward.

As a nation, ancient Judah had cousins, too. One of them was Edom. The Edomites were descendants of Jacob’s brother, Esau (Genesis 36).

Historically, there was constant strife between the Jews and Edomites. The worst offense came in 586 BC, when Edom showed no pity toward Judah during the Babylonian’s destruction of Jerusalem and deportation of its citizens. The short book of Obadiah, in fact, is devoted to a prophecy of judgment against Edom for these atrocities.

According to Obadiah, the Edomites “rejoiced when the people of Judah suffered such misfortune” (verse 12) and “plundered the land of Israel” (verse 13). They even killed some refugees who were trying to escape and possibly sold others into the slave trade (verse 14; Amos 1:6, 9).

As a result, God judged the Edomites. In 553 BC, the Babylonians marched against them, fulfilling Obadiah 7: “All your allies . . . will help to chase you from your land.”

What’s It Mean?

In Judah’s greatest hour of need, Edom had a chance to extend a compassionate hand. Instead, it resorted to vindictiveness based on centuries of conflict, hatred, and rivalry.

Today’s verse was spoken as a warning to Edom to stop persecuting Judah. But the message still rings true today.

God is just in all his judgments. He never punishes where there is no sin. Nor does he reward where there is no righteousness.

A day is coming when God will judge the wicked and the righteous for their deeds (Ecclesiastes 3:17; Matthew 16:27; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 2:6-11). Ultimately, a Christian’s righteousness doesn’t come from works, but from the atoning work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. Through repentance and faith in him, we can be saved. But good works matter, in the sense of showing that a believer’s faith is living and active and that our love for God is real (James 2:14-26).

Remember, God will judge everyone according to what they’ve done. Those who have been covered in Christ’s righteousness have no reason to worry. Those who live godlessly like the Edomites, treating others with contempt, have much to fear.

Now What?

Look up Deuteronomy 23:7 to see how God wanted Israel to treat Edom.

Did You Know?

Ancient Edom is now part of present-day Jordan.