Obadiah 1, Psalm 7
Obadiah 1:3-4 (NLT)
“‘You have been deceived by your own pride because you live in a rock fortress and make your home high in the mountains. ‘Who can ever reach us way up here?’ you ask boastfully. But even if you soar as high as eagles and build your nest among the stars, I will bring you crashing down,’ says the Lord.”
In Obadiah 1:3-4, the prophet Obadiah told the people of Edom that the Lord was bringing judgment against them because of their pride. The Edomites, who were descended from Esau, the son of Isaac and Rebekah and the brother of Jacob, lived in the area of Mount Seir. Their pride came from the fact that Mount Seir provided them with natural fortifications. Their cities, such as Petra, were carved into the rock faces and gave them a sense of security, and they believed their location made them impossible to attack. The Edomites also boasted of their wisdom. But Father-God tells the people that He will bring them crashing down.
These verses remind believers about the dangers of pride. When we trust in worldly strengths such as physical security and our own wisdom, it can lead to our downfall. The Lord is sovereign, and true security can only be found in Him. Because of their pride, the Edomites were blind to their vulnerabilities and thought they were not subject to the Lord’s divine judgment. The people of Edom mistreated the people of Israel many times, including refusing to let them pass through their country to enter the Promised Land. Edom also allied with Moab and Ammon to attack the kingdom of Judah.
One Bible commentary I read noted that although the Edomites fought side by side with Israel in the rebellion against Rome in AD 66–70, they were defeated by Rome, and the Edomites were never heard from as a people again, fulfilling Obadiah’s prophecy.
When I read these verses, I saw examples in my own life where pride blinded me to my need for the Lord. When I was backsliding, I didn’t think I needed the Lord very much. I was born with intelligence, a good work ethic, and a strong sense of independence, and I was proud of those qualities. But as the years passed, my self-reliance proved to be a deception. I couldn’t rely on my own strength to bring me peace or make me feel secure in life. During my years of backsliding, I lived in a constant state of fear of losing everything.
When the company I worked for during that time started laying people off every two years to save money, I lived in fear of losing my job. It wasn’t until I started paying attention to the guidance of the Holy Spirit that I began to place my trust in the Lord rather than in myself or the world around me. When I became born again, I realized that any success or wealth in my life came from the Lord. While I still occasionally experience fearful thoughts of loss, I have learned to focus instead on the many ways the Lord has blessed my life.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who is the true source of all your strength and success in life—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
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