Be Aware- Obadiah 10-14

Warning Labels on Equipment and Chemicals

Before we get into our passage of Scripture this morning, I want to discuss the importance of warning labels. These labels are placed there by the manufacturers to help protect the individual. Some seem to be no brainers, such as a coffee cup with the phrase “caution: contents hot,” or for lawn mowers, “beware of blade” with the picture of the foot missing toes.

Others are more necessary. Some chemicals may be safe for skin contact, others are not. These warnings help us stay safe. In most cases, these warning labels protect us from potential danger.

God’s Word has many warning labels, particularly in relation to sin. Sin is a common word, but sometimes we can forget what sin is and this is to our detriment. The Baptist Catechism, a small question-and-answer booklet that summarizes the important doctrines of the Scriptures, asks in question 17, “What is sin?

Q. 17: What is sin?

A.: Sin is any want [or lack] of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.”

(1 John 3:4)

That is, there are sins of commission, sins that directly violate God’s Word through our thought, speech, or actions. For example, God says you shall not murder and we murder. That is a sin of commission. A sin of omission, is not a direct violation per se, it is a failure to do what God says. For example, God says to remember the Sabbath. If we fail to observe the Sabbath (Sunday, for New Covenant believers) we have sinned through omission.

What does this have to do with Obadiah? Much! Last Sunday we observe Obadiah, through the vision of the LORD, warning Edom against her pride. This week we learn why that warning was given. Because Edom sinned, sins of both commission and omission. This, in turn, provides a biblical warning label for us. Stay away from these sins! Be aware of the serious, eternal, and life-changing danger of sins.

Be aware of sins of commission and omission in order to be holy and glorify God.

This brings us to the portion where Edom is called to account for specific sins. These specific sins encompass both commission and omission. Let us, as we look at Edom’s sins, be aware of our own proclivities toward sins of commission and omission.

I. Be aware of sins of commission- 10-11, 13-14

Obadiah, speaking on behalf of the LORD, addresses the actual sins for which Edom is facing the just punishment of God. It beckons our minds to the final judgment found in Revelation 20:15-20, where all the deeds of men and women will be read before the Great white throne of judgment. It is a terrifying moment in history, and one that we must heed the failure of Edom in order to avoid.

Be aware of sins of commission. What did Edom do? We just read this section, but let’s dissect it a bit more. And please realize that although we are covering several specific sins of commission, there are many more. Let us be aware of the magnitude of sin.

A. Sins of Violence- v. 10

Physical violence, the use of means to inflict pain upon someone, is wrong. It is sin. The Edomites engaged in violence against Jacob, the people of God, the brother of Edom. In other words, they committed violence against their family.

We are not as prone, at least in the US, to physical violence. We are more prone toward verbal violence. We speak evil of one another. We tear down one another’s reputation. We discourage people through our words. While God’s Word tells us not to murder, which would include physical violence, it also includes verbal or mental violence (cf. Ex. 20:13). Let us be aware of the sin of violence.

B. Sins of Theft- v. 13

There are also sins of theft. The Edomites took advantage of the peril of the Judeans, ransacking the city while the city was being destroyed. They “laid hands on their [Judah’s] substance.” Their wealth, their physical resources, were stolen during the plunder of the nation. They violated the command “You shall not steal” in Ex. 20:15. Again, we may not storm into our neighbors house when they are under distress, but we steal in other ways, don’t we?

We steal people’s time through our failure to schedule properly. We steal people’s attention, their focus, and even their desires to serve God. Alexander the cooper smith stole Paul’s fervor for the Lord (2 Tim. 4:14). What have we stolen? How have our sins of commission affect our brothers and sisters in Christ in this house of worship? Be aware.

C. Sins of Brutality- v. 14

The Edomites did not stop at physical violence, nor were they limited to theft. Their wickedness was found in their brutality. As the inhabitants of Jerusalem attempted to escape, the Edomites cut them down. Those whom they could not kill were delivered to the Babylonians. It was blatant, heatless brutality. We think of the Nazis in WWII who would murder millions of Jewish people. It is almost unimaginable.

We do not see this blatant brutality in the church today, at least not physically. We do see it, however, verbally and mentally. I have had people say cruel things about others in the various churches in which I have served. Things that seem heartless, completely opposite to the love Christians should have for one another. James chapter 3 discusses the tongue and the violence it inflicts on others. Be aware of sins of brutality, not only in actions, but more so in our speech and our thoughts.

D. Sins of Apathy- vv. 12-14

The sin of apathy is perhaps one of the most disgusting of those mentioned. Notice the repeated phrase “in the day of their calamity.” Their destruction, their terrible situation. The Edomites attacked and sinned against their brothers in their calamity. We have a phrase, “Don’t kick a man when he is down.” What we mean is when someone is going through a hard time, cut them some slack, be patient, be gracious. But apathy destroys any sense of empathy or sympathy. It builds an emotional wall where no feelings can penetrate.

We are prone to this sin, too. We see a brother or sister hurting, perhaps as a result of a foolish decision, and we immediately block them off. We do not care for them, we avoid them, we ignore them. We feel no sense of obligation or desire to help them. “By this,” Jesus tells us, “will all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35). And Paul elaborates on love in 1 Cor. 13:4-7

1 Corinthians 13:4–7 NKJV

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Sins of apathy care not for these issues.

We must be aware of sins of commission, those listed this morning in our present text and many others. While these are often outright, there are other sins far more devious because of their difficulty to observe. These are sins of omission.

II. Be aware of sins of omission- 11-14

Notice the response at the destruction of their brother. Carelessness, apathy, complete avoidance of any responsibility. Sins of omission are not as easy to detect, but that difficulty in no way minimizes its destructive nature.

Omission of Responsibility and Care- v. 11-14

The Edomites stood on the other side. They knew what was happening and failed to engage. The Scriptures inform us that we have a responsibility to help, to protect, to guard our fellow brothers and sisters. The reply of Cain, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” flies directly into the face of Almighty God.

Listen to Proverbs 24:11-12

Proverbs 24:11–12 NKJV

Deliver those who are drawn toward death, And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?

The Law of God also presents this in the form of caring for a neighbor’s lost animal (see Deut. 22:1-4). The New Testament, the New Covenant people of God, are under the same responsibility. James 2:14-26 and 1 John 3:16-18 both teach us the responsibility we have to care for brothers and sisters.

This extends well beyond financial or fiscal aid. I believe we do a good job of meeting physical needs. But we are also to meet spiritual needs as well (cf. Gal. 6:1-2). Be aware of the omission of responsibility.

Men, be aware of omitting the importance of observing the Sabbath, of attending church, of leading your family in regular worship. Ladies, be aware of omitting care, spiritual care, for someone who may irritate or annoy you. Children, be aware of day dreaming when Ms. Carroll, or one of the other teachers, are instructing you in God’s Word.

Church, be aware of omitting to daily seek the LORD in His Word through prayer. Be aware of the omission of responsibility.

They gazed at their captivity. The idea is to gloat. They saw their destruction and took joy from it. They omitted care. They were excited about Jerusalem’s calamity. When you hear something bad happen to a brother or sister, what is your response? Are you glad? Do you have excitement? Does it bring you joy? That is the omission of care, true Christ-honoring and soul-encouraging care. There is a dearth of care in the whole world, but particularly in the church.

We are aware, by this Scripture and the ministry of the Holy Spirit, of our sins, both of commission and omission. What are we to do? How do we respond?

Listen to this warning from Heb. 4:11-13,

Hebrews 4:11–13 NKJV

Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

We are desperately aware of our sinful state before this God to whom we must give an account. What do we do? We look to Jesus Christ. The author of Hebrews goes on to write this in Heb. 4:14-16

Hebrews 4:14–16 NKJV

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

You have sinned, He has saved. You have violated the Law of God, He has paid your dues. You need help, you are desperate, eagerly clawing your way up out of the water for a breath of fresh air before your lungs burst, and He is reaching down and with His almighty and sympathetic hand effortlessly pulls you into His throne room where an abundance, a mind-boggling amount of mercy and grace await to help us. Be aware, my brothers and sisters, of your sins. But be equally aware of Jesus Christ.

I end this morning with this description of Christ from Dane Ortlund’s book Gentle and Lowly,

“‘Gentle and lowly.’ This, according to his own testimony, is Christ’s very heart. This is who he is. Tender. Open. Welcoming. Accommodating. Understanding. Willing. If we are asked to say only one thing about who Jesus is, we would be honoring Jesus’s own teaching if our answer is, gentle and lowly.”

That is why we can boldly enter the throne room of God. Not because of us, for we are sinful, but because of Christ, because He is our high priest.