Pride Comes Down

Although Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, it sure packs a punch! It delivers a message that each of us have probably heard in some form or fashion growing up from a Grandmother or a teacher or a parent. “Get along with your brother.” “Don’t rejoice in your brother’s misfortune.” “Family is family, regardless of your feelings, you stick by them.” Finally, surely you can think of someone who shared this piece of wisdom from Obadiah verse 15b, “As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.”
Scholars aren’t exactly sure when it was written because Jacob and Esau and their descendants have had such tumultuous relationships over the generations.
This hasn’t changed in our day. We, too, have tumultuous relationships. We would like to think that we would rejoice when our “brother” rejoices and mourn when he mourns and that we would be the  “friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24.
But the truth is jealousy and pride creep in over time. If they go unchecked we might start to think that our brother’s misfortune is a win for us. We might like the feeling of being “better” more “well-liked” more “responsible” more “financially stable” more “godly!” Idols come in all forms. What puffs you up? What makes you feel secure in the clefts of a rock you have built for yourself?
There could be so many things. You and I worship something. The descendants of Esau felt “untouchable.” They worshiped their lofty and protected location, their strong army and their wise men who led well. In their pride they looked down upon their brother and did not help, they actually rejoiced in their brother’s time of trouble.
In whom or in what do you and I find our security?
God has a message for us today. He alone is worthy of our worship. He alone will bring security. He alone is the one we will answer to about the daily choices we make to either honor God as we love our neighbor, our brother, or dishonor God as we love ourselves in our pride.  
- Kim Williams

[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect:
+ In a world with a lot of loud voices, what do you notice in verse 1? Who spoke clearly into the situation in Obadiah’s time? Who has a message for us today?
+ What “deceives” in verse 3? What do you think the tone of the speaker is at teh end of verse 3? How does the Lord Himself answer the speaker in verse 4?
+ What was the reason for the Lord’s judgement on Esau according to verse 10-11? What will the Lord’s judgement look like according to verse 10?
+ What can The house of Esau expect according to verse 15?
+ How does the book of Obadiah (and God’s whole story!) end according to the last verse (21) of this short “book?”

[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life:
+ Is there sin to confess to clear the way for God to use me in his perfect purpose?
+ Where has pride gotten in the way of your relationships? Has God given you a specific message about this issue? How have you responded?
+ Which “brother” came to mind as you read the Daily this morning? Is there a way to love this brother well today?

[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.churchcenter.com/groups)
+ What is my next step?
+ What might be getting in the way of my obedience to the message?