Are You an Edomite?

A Devotional from Obadiah

"In the day that you stood on the other side... you should not have gazed on the day of your brother in the day of his captivity; nor should you have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction." — Obadiah 11-12

Scripture Reading

Obadiah 10–14

Reflection

When we think of Edom, we often imagine a proud and wicked nation far removed from ourselves. Yet the book of Obadiah is not merely a record of God's judgment upon an ancient people; it is a mirror held up to the human heart.

Edom's great sin was not only what they did—it was what they failed to do.

When Judah was attacked, Edom stood by.

They watched.

They remained distant.

And eventually, they rejoiced over their brother's calamity.

How uncomfortable it is to admit that traces of Edom can still be found within us.

Have you ever:

• Seen someone struggling and thought, Someone else will help?

• Heard of a brother or sister drifting away and remained silent?

• Secretly felt vindicated when someone who hurt you experienced hardship?

• Been more interested in hearing about someone's fall than praying for their restoration?

• Withheld compassion because you believed another person deserved their suffering?

The Spirit does not reveal these things to condemn His people, but to humble them and lead them to Christ. For while we have often stood on the other side, Jesus never has.

When we were helpless, He drew near.

When we were enemies, He loved us.

When we were dead in our sins, He gave Himself for us.

Christ did not rejoice over our misery.

He entered into it.

He bore it.

And now, by His Spirit, He teaches us to do for others what He has done for us. This chapter is not ultimately about geography. It is not about ancient borders, mountains, or locations on a map. If Obadiah speaks of distance, it is the distance of the heart. Edom stood "on the other side," but the greater question is this: How far have our hearts drifted from the heart of Christ?

For it is possible to say we are in a church and yet stand at a distance. Do we know the members? Do we come alongside them or sit off comfortably protecting our true god, the one we manufactured in our hearts named, 'my peace and my comfort'?

To know doctrine and yet remain unmoved by suffering, is an Edomite. To speak of grace and yet withhold compassion, is an Edomite. To protect our comfort while neglecting our brother of any color, any location, any status, is an Edomite. 

The issue in Obadiah is not where Edom lived.

It is where their heart was.

And whenever our hearts become cold, indifferent, proud, or content to watch from afar, we too have wandered from the likeness of Christ.

The Lord's concern has never merely been our location, but our conformity.

Not simply where we stand, but whether we stand near to Him—and therefore near to those He loves.

Questions for Self-Examination

• Am I standing at a distance from someone's suffering?

• Have I become indifferent toward the burdens of God's people?

• Do I secretly rejoice when others fail or are humbled?

• Have I mistaken avoiding involvement for wisdom?

• Is there someone the Lord is calling me to draw near to?

The Better Brother

Edom stood on the other side.

Christ crossed over.

Edom rejoiced in another's distress.

Christ wept.

Edom exalted itself.

Christ humbled Himself.

Edom withheld help.

Christ gave Himself.

And because He has loved us this way, we are free to repent and love others in the same manner.

Prayer

Father, I confess that I have often been more like Edom than I would like to admit. I have stood at a distance when I should have drawn near. I have withheld compassion, rejoiced in pride, and failed to love as You have loved me. Thank You that Your Son did not stand on the other side of my distress. Thank You that He came near, bore my sin, and loved me when I was unlovely. Teach me to imitate Him. Deliver me from indifference and pride, and make me quick to weep with those who weep, bear burdens, and draw near to those in need. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Pause Before Amen

Ask yourself:

"Am I acting like Edom toward someone whom Christ is calling me to love?"

Then remember:

You may have been an Edomite, but Christ has never been an Edomite to you.