It is as natural as breathing for the arrogant to overestimate their wisdom and ability.
The Edomites are a symbolic example of human pride and arrogance that opposes the purposes of God.
On that day, says the Lord,
I will destroy the wise out of Edom
and understanding out of Mount Esau.
Your warriors shall be shattered, O Teman,
so that everyone from Mount Esau will be cut off. (Obadiah 1.8-9)
I often write that God doesn’t oppose pride because He has an ego problem that needs to be supported. He opposes human pride because of what it does to other humans.
The Edomites were related to the Israelites but they believed they had a right to conquer them and reap the spoils of war.
For the slaughter and violence done to your brother Jacob,
shame shall cover you,
and you shall be cut off forever. (Obadiah 1.10)
Think about the wars that have engulfed our world. Have not the aggressors acted in the arrogant belief that they have a rightful cause to exert their power over another?
Russia’s belief that they have a right to the land of Ukraine has left over 300,000 of their soldiers wounded or dead.
This action has resulted in the largest European war since World War II, mass migrations of people, and the kidnapping of hundreds of children. We don’t know the extent of casualties in Ukraine, but they must be severe.
Hamas received hundreds of millions of dollars in support from Arab states only to build tunnels and import rockets. Their attack on Israel has resulted in thousands of deaths and destruction that is played out regularly on the nightly news.
The little-reported war in Sudan between a rebel group and the nation’s army has resulted in mass migrations, refugees, and the deaths of over 10,000 innocent humans.
The common denominator in these and other instances of aggression is the arrogant belief of a small group of leaders that they have a right to use power to achieve their selfish desires.
I do not doubt that God grieves over the pain He witnesses each day, as human arrogance and power bring about such immense suffering.
God as the ultimate judge of the earth has the responsibility to right the wrongs that humans inflict on each other. He has both the right and the responsibility to address the behavior of the proud.
Taunts of the Proud
Israel suffered under the Assyrians and Babylonians. They were defeated in battle and marched as captives into exile.
Instead of supporting the Israelites, the Edomites participated in their troubles.
On the day that you stood aside,
on the day that strangers carried off his wealth
and foreigners entered his gates
and cast lots for Jerusalem,
you, too, were one of them.
But you should not have gloated over your brother
on the day of his misfortune;
you should not have rejoiced over the people of Judah
on the day of their ruin;
you should not have boasted
on the day of distress. (Obadiah 1.11-12)
From our vantage point thousands of miles apart from the wars in Ukraine, Israel, and Sudan, it is tempting to imagine these wars as sporting events. We cheer when our side scores a point, and become sad when the other side wins a victory.
From God’s vantage point, every win on either side represents the death of a member of His beloved creation.
During World War II a dynamic group of Christian leaders devoted themselves to praying for the war effort. The way they measured their success was to pay attention to the casualties on all sides of the war.
Unlike the Edomites who gloated over the demise of Israel, they rejoiced when they observed a day of few casualties on all sides of the war.
These prayer leaders knew that hate was one of the most powerful forces in the world.
A few days ago, Russia unleashed the largest missile and drone attack on Ukraine since the war began two years ago. It is estimated that Russia expended 1.2 billion dollars worth of weapons to destroy targets in Ukraine.
How many hospitals could have been built with that amount of money? How many schools could have been constructed? How many of the world’s hungry could have been fed?
Hatred shows its influence on humans by the excessive amounts of money, human life, and energy we expend to satisfy its prompting.
The prayer leaders knew of only one power stronger than hate – the power of love. Each time they gathered to pray, they focused their energy on God’s love amid the conflict.
I think one of the best ways to pray for what is taking place in the world is to use the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6.9-13) as our model.
When I use the Lord’s Prayer, I first bring to God the various conflicts in the world that are on my radar screen. I then pray an expanded version of the Lord’s Prayer that looks like this.
Our Father in heaven,
God may the world know you as their Father.
May your name be revered as holy.
May we see your character (your name) for what it actually is.
May your kingdom come,
As we see you for who you are, may we willingly be obedient servants in your kingdom.
May your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
We will rejoice to do your will in heaven. May we willingly do your will on earth in the here and now.
Give us today our daily bread.
Please provide what is needed for each person and situation.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
May your forgiveness be so real in our lives that we extend it to others.
And do not bring us to the time of trial,
but rescue us from the evil one.
Please lead us away from a time of tribulation. Please deliver our world from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory. Amen.
The world needs our prayers. Let’s agree to invite God’s activity in our needy world.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 