01-89 The Nation That Forgets God

Genesis 36; Obadiah 1-21

Take note of the title of my message. While you may be thinking that I’m going to rant on the direction our nation is going…that is not my purpose today. Though you will no doubt see parallels b/t what we’re going to study in God’s Word and what is happening (and what will happen) should our country continue down the path it has taken. There is no mistaking that morally and socially the USA is accelerating down a slippery slope and there is no sign of a reversal any time soon.

I know many of you are frustrated that your Christian, biblical values are consistently being attacked and replaced by a godless, immoral and an oppressive social agenda that is foreign to Scripture. Homosexuality, transgenderism (gender confusion), abortion, environmentalism, immigration policies, false ideological shift to right social injustices, these are only a few of the issues that believers are overwhelming concerned with.

The answer to these problems lie outside of political parties. This is not about which one right/wrong, it is about our biblical values being destroyed in wave after wave. And God’s Word (as always) has the answer.

Isaiah 66:2 NASB95

2 “For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,” declares the Lord. “But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.

God will dwell in the hearts of those who take His Word seriously.

But what happens when a nation forgets God? You might have an idea—and it maybe correct. We have a Bible full of examples of what becomes of the nation where the Lord God (YHWH) is not pursued or honored (here is where we also see a warning for our own nation). Edom is a nation that forgot God. Of course, Edom is the nation that descended from Esau, Jacob’s brother, the sons of Isaac, grandsons of Abraham.

Esau had every advantage that his brother Jacob enjoyed. They were raised in the same home, with the same parents who spoke of the same Creator God who had blessed Abraham and entered into a covenant with him. Esau despised the special place he had as the oldest son, repudiated the God of his father, and grew to loathe his brother who deceived him (2x). Jacob left for 20 years and during that time, something changed in Esau. We don’t know all that happened, we don’t know precisely what became of his interest or perception of spiritual realities. But he is reunited with his brother, extends forgiveness, reconciles and the hostility appears to have ended.

In Gen 36, we have the records of the generations of Esau who had 5 children thru 3 wives and a multitude of extended descendants. These children/grandchildren would make up the nation of Edom and it grew to become a mighty nation. Esau’s descendants would become “chiefs” (leaders of tribes) and “kings” (rulers over the nation) (vv 15-43).

Edom has an incredibly rich history. The territory (map)

Extended south of Dead Sea to Gulf of Aqaba

100 miles long, 20 miles wide, including the mountain range (mountains of Seir)

This realm enjoyed the prominence of an important kingdom—for a couple of reason:

The King’s Highway—a great trade route b/t Syria and Egypt—passed right thru heart of Edom. The Edomites extracted tolls from all the caravans and grew very wealthy.

Security: red sandstone cliffs rose to heights of 5000’ above sea level. These were easily fortified and the Edomite made their homes in the cliffs. Edom was virtually an impregnable fortress.

There were 3 major towns in the kingdom: Teman in the south (Job’s friend Eliphaz—Temanite). Bozrah in the north and Sela, which was tucked away in the most inaccessible part of the sandstone cliffs and would later be renamed “Petra.”

We don’t know the earliest history of this region, but by the time Abraham began so-journeying in the land it was already a kingdom settled by the Horites. This is the land that the 4 kings under Kedorlaomer invaded in the area of Sodom and Gomorrah and carried off Lot (Gen 14:5-6).

Edom, b/c the land was given to Esau by YHWH, they would dispossess the Horites and the kingdom would be known as Edom.

After the time of Jacob and Esau, the Bible describes the struggles b/t the nation of Israel and the “brother” nation of Edom.

Israel coming out of Egypt were denied passage thru Edom’s land (even though Moses promised no harm and to even pay for the water the people and animals drank) (Num 20:14-21)

Despite Edom’s hostility, Israel was commanded to treat them as brothers (Dt 23:7-8)

Edomites opposed Saul (1043-1011)

Edomites subdued under David (great battle 2 Sam 8:13-14) (1011-971) & Solomon (971-931) (fulfilling the prophecy that the older would serve the younger)

Edomites Fought against Jehoshaphat (873-848) Edomites successfully rebelled under Jehoram (848-841)

Edomites conquered by Judah under Amaziah (796-767)

Edomites gained renewed freedom during Ahaz (735-715)

Edomites applauded destruction of Jerusalem in 586 (Psalm 137:7 “7 Remember, O Lord, against the sons of Edom The day of Jerusalem, Who said, “Raze it, raze it To its very foundation.””

Later controlled by Assyrians and Babylonians (5thC)

Forced by Nabateans to leave their territory to S. Palestine (Idumean)

Herod the Great was an Idumean continues hostility against Jacob attempting to murder Christ

They participated in the rebellion against Rome and were defeated by Titus in AD 70 never to be heard from again (as far as a nation was concerned) There is one vs in Amos that describes a remnant of Edom to be included in the blessings of the Millennial Kingdom.

Obadiah

The earliest of the Minor Prophets (chronologically) 850-840 BC. They are called minor prophets—not b/c their message was less important but the size of the books are generally smaller. Obadiah is the shortest. His prophecy is directed against Edom. We don’t know much about the prophet (as 12 men share his name in the OT “servant of the YHWH”).

God is going to explain why Edom would become the subject of divine judgment—at the hands of other nations (vs 1). 2 prevailing sins are in God’s mind that will bring Edom to ruin:

1. Edom’s Pride

2-9

Obadiah is prophesying the downfall of Edom which is still a yet future event from the writing. The reason: vs 3 “arrogance…deceived.” Arrogance is a word that lit “to boil” (used of Jacob “cooking stew”). When it is referring to a person’s character it describes the basic idea of pride, an inflated sense of self-importance, exaggerated, unwarranted presumption that includes defiance and rebelliousness.

The false prophet presumes to speak in God’s name b/c he believes he has the authority to do so without being called by God (Dt 18:20). Pride generally presents itself in rebellion/disobedience like when Israel asserted themselves to fight the Canaanites even though God told them not to:

Deuteronomy 1:43 NASB95

43 “So I spoke to you, but you would not listen. Instead you rebelled against the command of the Lord, and acted presumptuously and went up into the hill country.

The Lord told Edom thru Obadiah that their pride (as a nation) has deceived them. They presume superiority even though they are not.

Pride is the sin of sins. Of the 7 abominations mentioned in Prov 6:16-19, Haughty eyes tops the list. This is what the Bible says about pride:

Psalm 10:4 NASB95

4 The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him. All his thoughts are, “There is no God.”

Psalm 18:27 NASB95

27 For You save an afflicted people, But haughty eyes You abase.

Psalm 101:5 (NASB95)

No one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart will I endure.

Isaiah 2:11 NASB95

11 The proud look of man will be abased And the loftiness of man will be humbled, And the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.

1 Peter 5:5 (NASB95) (quoting Prov 3:34)

God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

God hates pride. This is the chief cause of Satan’s rebellion who set in his heart the arrogance of being above God (Is 14) (I will). The Lord warned Edom that pride will bring judgment upon the nation.

Pride is considered by many to be tenuous. Its only a small sin. That is of course b/c we speak of pride in very light terms “I’m proud to be an American” or “I’m proud of my children.” Most do not consider pride to be all that bad/evil. Frank Gaebelein describes a challenge for us on this note:

The Minor Prophets, Volume 1: (Hosea–Jonah): An Expositional Commentary The Pride of Edom

“How difficult it is to awaken even Christian people to an understanding of the real nature of pride! As G. Campbell Morgan suggests, one may stand before a congregation and hold their breathless interest by a recountal of dramatic stories of lives ruined by drink and other carnal sins. But try to expound a text such as this from Obadiah, ‘The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee,’ and there is a marked difference in attention and response. The reason is the fact that the true nature of pride is so little understood.

“Look at it this way. Here are two statements, each of which might fall from the lips of some well-meaning church member. Referring to another person, someone says, ‘He is a good man but proud.’ Such a remark hardly strikes our ears as inappropriate or shocking. We are all too willing to admit that goodness and pride may be companions within the same life. But consider this remark, ‘He is a good man but a thief.’ Immediately our moral sensibilities are outraged. ‘Hold on!’ we say. ‘What do you mean? A man cannot at the same time be good and a thief.’ Yet in the sight of God pride is fully as bad as stealing, if not worse.”

Pride is insidious, gradually increasing to the point where we presume that we are much more than reality (even comparing ourselves to the Almighty God). Pride stands at the heart of the problems of humanity…it was a major problem in Edom and it certainly is in our nation as well. 3 specific prideful attitudes are highlighted in Obadiah:

A. Extraordinary Defenses

3-4

This is just how evil pride is—b/c it takes us to the point where we believe (deception) we can live without God. Edom thought this b/c of her defenses. They lived in the clefts of the rock (Sela,Petra—actually the trading capital of Edom). They felt secure in their own fortresses. It was believed that a dozen men could defend the city of Petra b/c of its location. Their pride is represented in their thoughts—vs 3 “who will bring me down”. This condition is self-deceiving b/c the sovereign Lord is not limited by earthly fortifications—vs 4.

As a nation today, we consider ourselves the most powerful of nations on the earth. We have economic means (used to), a superior military (used to), will of the American people (USA Pride). These are things that we have relied on for a long time—but they are extremely fragile.

B. Exaggerated Allies

7

Edom had a vast network of alliances and they thought they were secured (not only b/c of natural fortress) b/c they relied on their allies. Of course, they didn’t recognize the heart of man was deceitful and that their allied would eventually prove to betray them to their enemies.

C. Exceptional Wisdom

8-9

One of the benefits of being on the King’s Highway was access to the philosophers of the day. People would pass thru and it provided the opportunity for learning and debate. Edom was known for their sages/wise men. But this too would prove to be to their detriment. “I will destroy…” A slaughter was coming. It was due in part to their pride.

2. Edom’s Violence

10-14

Edom’s violence against Israel would grow in stages. It wasn’t all-out aggression at first but was subtle.

Standing Aloof

When Israel stumbled, Edom stood on aside waiting like vultures to swoop in once Israel’s enemies had carried off the wealth. God told Edom—you were as one of them. They thought they were simply observing but what was truly in their hearts was self-enrichment at Israel expense.

Gloating

vs 12 the term speaks of seeing with the eyes/with understanding. Edom actually was caught staring with envy, scorn and triumph.

Boasting

vs 12b they rejoiced on the day of Israel’s misfortune, celebrating their downfall. That moves from being a casual observer to staring then boasting about the distress of their “brother.” These things are condemned in Scripture:

Proverbs 17:5 NASB95

5 He who mocks the poor taunts his Maker; He who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished.

Proverbs 24:17 NASB95

17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;

Final stage was the worst: vv 13-14. The Edomites actually caught the Jews who were escaping from Jerusalem (cut down means to intercept), rounded them up and delivered them back to their enemies.

This all happened when Jerusalem was being attacked. There were 5 historical invasions of that city but the one that the Edomites were guilty of standing opposed to their brother was when the Philistines and Arabians sacked Jerusalem during the reign of Jehoram (2 Chron 21:8-20)—848-841 BC.

Pride and violence are the sins Edom was guilty of that demanded judgment by God Most High. In virtually every corner of our country we are seeing the same things play out—in every area of life, politics, business, education, home—there is pervasive sin that lies at the very heart of the nation (being the collective product of all Americans). Our sin contributes, the sin of our neighbors contributes, and we must think that our own nation is on the brink of divine judgment today.

So what are we to do? How can God’s people/church respond to such things as when the nation forgets God? And its much worse than this—b/c there is an active hostility against Xns.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NASB95

14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

You have heard me cautiously appeal to this verse in the past. I say cautiously b/c this vs is not about the USA. The context is the completion of the temple by Solomon. God appeared to Solomon after the completion and explained the conditions for national forgiveness to Israel should they walk away from God, inviting His judgment upon their sin. If they continued in their disobedience there would be judgment:

2 Chronicles 7:19–22 NASB95

19 “But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, 20 then I will uproot you from My land which I have given you, and this house which I have consecrated for My name I will cast out of My sight and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples. 21 “As for this house, which was exalted, everyone who passes by it will be astonished and say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land and to this house?’ 22 “And they will say, ‘Because they forsook the Lord, the God of their fathers who brought them from the land of Egypt, and they adopted other gods and worshiped them and served them; therefore He has brought all this adversity on them.’ ”

So this passage related directly to God’s choice of Israel and how they could receive forgiveness in the event of their disobedience. It is not a promise to our country that God will restore it to its former glory. But there are 4 principles of application that should be the response of the church when the nation forgets God:

1) Humility

If pride is that which God hates most, then the virtue that God seeks is that of humility. Humbling ourselves is the first response which begins by confessing that we are not adequate for the problems that we face and that we must have God’s help if change is ever to take place. Pride is thinking we can live apart from God but the reality is that we are wholly dependent on Him—

Acts 17:28 (NASB95)

28 for in Him we live and move and have our being

God opposes the proud but give GRACE to the humble

2) Pray

It seems odd that God’s people need to be instructed, encouraged to pray. This is b/c we don’t default to this position of praying without ceasing (1 Th 5:17). Our mind is usually “when all else fails…”

3) Seeks God’s Face

What does this look like? God’s face is set in the direction of His will. If we are to seek His face, we are seeking His will. We want the things He wants, our desires are His desires, our purpose is His purpose. God’s will declares His heart (heart of God in context of the nations) of redeeming lost sinners. If there would ever be a national turning to the things of God, it must first happen in the salvation of those sinners who make up the nation. We really can’t being to complain about the godlessness in our nation until we are actively sharing the gospel of LJC to the very ones who desperately need to hear.

JC is the Savior of the world—He is the only One who can deliver the condemned soul and His perfect work on the cross is proof His desire to save those who call upon Him by faith.

4) Turn From Our Wicked Ways

This is repentance. We so clearly see the wickedness in our nation, but have we taken the first step of removing the log from our own eye (Mt 7:1-5). Before we begin judging the USA, judgment must first begin in the household of God (1Pt 4:17). After we have judged/examined ourselves, we can then see clearly to bring unrighteousness into view.

We can’t know God’s purpose for our nation. We are grieved as this country, so richly blessed by God in past ages, is forgetting the God that has been so benevolent and gracious. We see the outcome of Edom—judgment and the nation has been extinguished.

Proverbs 14:34 NASB95

34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people.

Let us pursue that righteousness and pray that God would again lift us up.