Standing Aloof

Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever. On the day that you stood aloof, on the day that strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them. But do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of distress. Do not enter the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; do not gloat over his disaster in the day of his calamity; do not loot his wealth in the day of his calamity. Do not stand at the crossroads to cut off his fugitives; do not hand over his survivors in the day of distress.
Obadiah 10 –14
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Standing Aloof
After years of apathy towards God’s people, Edom turns to hostility. They had a choice when God sent Babylon to punish Israel. Edom could repent and show compassion, but instead, they choose destructive self-serving actions. The inherent spiritual hostility that led to such a choice sealed Edom’s fate. But before we climb on our high horse, we need to recognize this behavior in ourselves. Too often we are indifferent or outright hostile toward God’s people. We do not love one another as Christ loves us. Even today God gives us similar opportunities either to participate in His good work of compassion or turn our backs on those in need. Unfortunately, we chose the latter. But this does not stop God from showing compassion toward us. He has already extended His compassion toward us in the sacrifice and blessing of His only Son Jesus Christ. So in repentant love towards Jesus and our fellow brothers and sisters, we look for opportunities for Jesus to use us as His means to help those who are hurting and have suffered misfortune. In Christ, the Holy Spirit uses us to relieve their distress, and give them hope through His Word and through His love.