Confirmation of God's Righteous Nature

Introduction:

The Word of God gives us plenty of examples to understand something of God’s righteous character.

We cannot ascertain how God might react in every situation, but we know from specific situations/examples that He is righteous and that He judges righteously.

An essential part of His righteous character leads to the principle, consistent throughout scripture, of vindication.

Vindication: a reversal of fortunes brought about by God upon those who oppose him and for those who love him.

We will be reminded of this important part of God’s nature as we examine the additional reasons for God’s coming judgment of Edom.

We have seen them described as a people of pride, those who believe the wisdom of their wise men immunizes them from submitting to the Word of God.

Consequently, rather than going to submit to Babylon, as God had commanded, they trusted in their unique geographical setting to prevent them from destruction.

Now we will learn that God’s judgment of Edom comes for another reason: a history of violence against Judah and the celebration of Babylon’s destruction of Jerusalem.

God’s Judgment for a Pattern of Violence

Edom’s opposition to Judah originated in brotherly hatred and that pattern did not correct itself over time.

Numbers 20:20-21 shows the Edomites would not even let the Israelites pass through their lands as the passed from Egypt to the land of promise.

Notice that the relationship of brotherhood is brought into focus.

How should brothers treat one another?

Should it be with violence?

Violence: According to TWOT, “violence” refers not to a natural disaster or some other type of catastrophe. Instead, “the word...is used almost always in connection with sinful violence.” “It is often a name for extreme wickedness.” Ex. Gen. 6:11, 13 and the cause of the flood.

The LXX translated Obadiah 10: “because of the slaughter and irreverence of your brother, Jacob, shame will cover you...”

This violence is the source of what will happen to them, as well.

Obadiah faults Edom with opposition (aloof in the ESV) to Judah.

Psalm 137:7.

Edom celebrated the destruction of Jerusalem.

It also seems that Edom waited for Babylon’s destruction, and then among themselves, they cast lots for what remained.

They were not innocent by-standers.

They were full participants just like the Babylonians were.

Eight Reminders of What Should Not Have Been Done

From Obadiah 12-14, the writer repeats eight negations, all structured the same way, that serve less of a warning and more of a reminder of what they should not have done.

The form of the negative matters in Hebrew (Note the Lexham even uses “you should not.”

Notice the nature of what they have done.

Part of it includes “gloating, rejoicing, and bragging” (Obadiah 12).

There’s concern over:

Entering the gates

Looting the people/city

Selling the people as fugitive slaves or of killing the fugitives gratuitously.

These actions follow logically for a people who consider themselves immune from God’s warned judgment.

The warnings in Obadiah 12-14 all have Obadiah 15 in view. It appears the Edomites considered themselves free of any consequences for their behavior. Seeing Jerusalem destroyed caused them to act in ways, or at least think about it, without considering any retribution on the part of the Lord.

Notice Obadiah 15 brings them back to the principle of vindication, and it is presented as something they should have taken into account prior to their actions just described/bemoaned.

Conclusion:

There are two sides to thinking about God and vindication.

First, there is the side that gives us assurance and hope. God not only knows how to set things right, but he will do so. At times, God sees to a reversal of fortunes in a lifetime, for those who have trusted in him. But, we await God’s ultimate demonstration of vindication in the return of Christ.

Second, there is the negative side, that thinking that disavows God or the need to submit to His word.

Revelation 1:6 - Good or bad? Depends on your relationship with Christ, your view of Him that, then, governs your life.