Day 276a: Obadiah

You should not look down on your brother in the day of his misfortune (Obadiah 12).

Obadiah resembles the Oracles Against the Nations found in other prophetic books, but it is focused on only one enemy – the kingdom of Edom. When Judah was being conquered by Nebuchadnezzar and exiled to Babylon, Edom took advantage of its weakness, encroaching upon Judean territory while its harried army was occupied elsewhere, taking cheap shots where it could, and generally making the best of Judah’s misfortune. Perhaps Edom’s animosity was fueled by memories of Jacob taking advantage of Esau’s misfortune many years earlier.

Obadiah warns Edom it is foolish to be prideful over an enemy’s destruction, because As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head (v. 15).

As quoted by Paul when writing to the Christians in Rome (Romans 12:20): If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink (Proverbs 25:21).

Or as Jesus said: You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:43,44).

How would you want an enemy to treat you if you were down? After all, as we are reminded in the writings of Obadiah, in one sense we’re all brothers and sisters.

Is there an antagonist in your story whom you could treat like a friend this week?