The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Obadiah 1:1-10, 12-15. “The vision of Obadiah. ‘Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom—“We have heard a report from the LORD, and an envoy has been sent among the nations saying, “Arise and let us go against her for battle” —
2 “Behold, I will make you small among the nations; you are greatly despised.
3 “The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in the loftiness of your dwelling place, who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to earth?”
4 “Though you build high like the eagle, though you set your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD.
5 “If thieves came to you, if robbers by night– O how you will be ruined!– Would they not steal only until they had enough? If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave some gleanings?
6 “O how Esau will be ransacked, And his hidden treasures searched out!
7 “All the men allied with you will send you forth to the border, and the men at peace with you will deceive you and overpower you. They who eat your bread will set an ambush for you. (There is no understanding in him.)
8 “Will I not on that day,” declares the LORD, “Destroy wise men from Edom and understanding from the mountain of Esau?
9 “Then your mighty men will be dismayed, O Teman, so that everyone may be cut off from the mountain of Esau by slaughter.
10 “Because of violence to your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame, and you will be cut off forever.

12 “Do not gloat over your brother’s day, the day of his misfortune. And do not rejoice over the sons of Judah in the day of their destruction; yes, do not boast In the day of their distress.
13 “Do not enter the gate of My people in the day of their disaster. Yes, you, do not gloat over their calamity in the day of their disaster. And do not loot their wealth in the day of their disaster.
14 “Do not stand at the fork of the road to cut down their fugitives; and do not imprison their survivors in the day of their distress.
15 “For the day of the LORD draws near on all the nations. As you have done, it will be done to you. Your dealings will return on your own head.”

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament. “It forms a sharp manifesto against the fierce Idumeans, who were the perpetual enemies of Israel. It states the character, career, doom and downfall of Edom,” the descendants of Esau (The Outlined Bible).

The Book of Obadiah has a two-fold message: first, there is a solemn warning to the Edomites regarding their possession of pride and godless defiance against Israel. Also, there is a strong warning against hating and harming the Jews, lest God Himself undertakes Israel’s cause and thoroughly destroys her enemies. Yet, when Edom’s conduct filled up the cup of iniquity toward Israel, the LORD’s sentence of condemnation was visited upon them.

This small, but powerful, treatise of Scripture should be sufficient warning to us today. The LORD always stands ready to protect and fight for His people. Yet, we must be His children and live justly toward Him, always abiding in His righteousness. Then and only then, can we be assured of the safety His presence stands ready to provide. Do you have that assurance? It all comes from faithful love and trust in the LORD. Trust Him today!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom