Displaced

If thieves came to you, if plunderers came by night—how you have been destroyed!—would they not steal only enough for themselves? If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave gleanings? How Esau has been pillaged, his treasures sought out! All your allies have driven you to your border; those at peace with you have deceived you; they have prevailed against you; those who eat your bread have set a trap beneath you—you have no understanding. Will I not on that day, declares the LORD, destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of Mount Esau? And your mighty men shall be dismayed, O Teman, so that every man from Mount Esau will be cut off by slaughter.
Obadiah 5–9
+
Displaced
Esau had red hair and an impulsive personality. He sold his birthright for a cup of red lentil stew. Thus, just as Jacob’s name would be changed to Israel, so to would Esau be given another name, Edom. Esau and his descendants had been arrogant and worldly since Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew all those years ago. The nation had a long record of hostility toward God’s people and, by extension, toward God. Obadiah was called to announce God’s judgment on Edom’s behavior. Neither Edom’s wise nor her mighty men could save her from God’s wrath. They would be displaced and without a home. Yet it is easy to forget that God, in His mercy, had given Edom a long time to repent and come to Him. The centuries that had passed demonstrated God’s patience with Edom. Just as He does today, God continues patiently to offer our world His grace and postpones judgment so that more people may repent. He is slow to anger and abounds in steadfast love.  Our Lord’s grace is our treasure. It enriches our lives daily as we receive blessing after blessing, chief among them is the forgiveness won on the cross for us by His Son, Jesus Christ. May we never test His patience by unrepentance, but always turn from our sin towards the life we have been given in Christ Jesus our Lord.