Edom’s Pride
Category: Failure of humility
Could endure: Live in peace with Jacob, acknowledge God.
“You should not march through the gates of my people in the day of their disaster.” (Obadiah 13)
Cross-Refs: Genesis 25:23; Proverbs 16:18.
Chose wrongly: Trusted in strongholds and arrogance.
“The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights.” (Obadiah 3)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 2:11–12; Jeremiah 49:16.
Endured (negatively): Brought down from heights.
“Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down.” (Obadiah 4)
Cross-Refs: Amos 9:2; Luke 14:11.
Why (wrong motive): Arrogance, false security in fortresses.
“You say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’” (Obadiah 3)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 14:13–15; Habakkuk 2:4.
Result: Destruction, humbled before nations.
“The house of Esau will be stubble, and they will set it on fire and consume it.” (Obadiah 18)
Cross-Refs: Malachi 1:3–4; Ezekiel 35:14–15.
Edom’s Betrayal of Jacob
Category: Failure of brotherhood & loyalty
Could endure: Stand with Judah in time of distress.
“Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart.” (Leviticus 19:17)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 23:7; Proverbs 17:17.
Chose wrongly: Gloated and aided enemies.
“You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune.” (Obadiah 12)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 137:7; Ezekiel 25:12.
Endured (negatively): Shared in Judah’s downfall.
“You should not march through the gates of my people in the day of their disaster.” (Obadiah 13)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 49:7–11; Lamentations 4:21–22.
Why (wrong motive): Hatred, envy, vengeance.
“Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame.” (Obadiah 10)
Cross-Refs: Genesis 27:41; Ezekiel 35:5.
Result: Cut off forever.
“There will be no survivors from the house of Esau.” (Obadiah 18)
Cross-Refs: Malachi 1:3–4; Numbers 24:18–19.
Edom’s Violence
Category: Failure of mercy
Could endure: Show compassion to Judah in weakness.
“Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened.” (Leviticus 19:16, principle)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 24:11–12; Matthew 25:40.
Chose wrongly: Stood aloof, handed over survivors.
“You should not wait at the crossroads to cut down their fugitives, nor hand over their survivors in the day of their trouble.” (Obadiah 14)
Cross-Refs: Amos 1:11; Joel 3:6.
Endured (negatively): Condemned by God’s justice.
“The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you.” (Obadiah 15)
Cross-Refs: Galatians 6:7; Revelation 18:6.
Why (wrong motive): Malice, greed, cruelty.
“You stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth.” (Obadiah 11)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 83:4–6; Isaiah 63:1–4.
Result: Desolation, no future inheritance.
“The house of Jacob will be a fire, the house of Joseph a flame; the house of Esau will be stubble.” (Obadiah 18)
Cross-Refs: Ezekiel 35:14–15; Malachi 1:4.