Just like one of them...

“…you were like one of them.” Obadiah v.11

Life is more than what we do. What we neglect doing is just as important. Consider Esau’s descendants. Obadiah warned of their impending judgment, but why? What had they done? They were not the foreign invaders; they had not acted violently toward brother Jacob. No, but they had missed doing the right thing. They failed to bring aid and assistance to Judah in their time of need. They stood aloof while Jerusalem was attacked and looted; they were like one of the those enemies that busted up the gates. Because of this the Lord spoke a word of warning through his prophet, “As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return upon your own head (v.15).”

Is there anything here for us? Let’s evaluate. Are we guilty of not doing the good we should? Do we passively watch as evil is enacted against those we are called to protect? Do we point fingers at the Babylonian-like transgressors of our day, failing to acknowledge the plank of indifference and apathy lodged squarely in our own eye? Are we believers involved in fighting for the life of the unborn? Do we welcome the refugee stranger among us? Does the fear of potential danger trump our obedience to Jesus’ commission? Is the applaud of Christ less desirable than the affirmation of our friends? Do we truly value others as fellow image bearers of the King? Surely racism and discrimination are not still evidenced within the church!

The Edomites were proud; we know this from Obadiah’s introduction. They were confident in the positional strength of their fortification (v.3-4). But perhaps they were also afraid. Maybe that’s why they wrongly remained neutral, refusing to offer Judah military reinforcement. But it also seems they enjoyed watching the demise of their neighbor (v.12-14). They gloated over the hardships of Jacob and covetously rejoiced in their day of trouble. And because of this, judgment was on the way. 

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin (James 4:17).” How different would this world be, if we who profess Christ with our lips, walked in the way of our Lord and Savior by faithfully living out this verse today? Friend, there is plenty of corruption in the world. But does our depravity darken the day as well? Racism, abortion, adoption, immigration, and the like, our the pressing topics of the day. How will we respond moving forward? Will we address the sins of our past and the societal ills of the hour? Will we courageously confront darkness with the hope and truth of gospel light? If not actively involved in contending for the faith, we will continue to sin ourselves, and in the end be found, just like one of them.

Matt Fowler
Associate Pastor of Missions & Students
matt@nbchurch.info
@fattmowler