SEARCHLIGHT
Could you be acting foolishly in some area of your life?
SCRIPTURE
Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed forever. On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them. Obadiah 10,11 NIV
SPOTLIGHT
Could you be fooling yourself? The story is told of a Bishop who was very opposed to how a politician in his area was conducting himself. The policies being presented by the politician were very contrary to Godly principles and values. The Bishop advised the politician to go out into the rain and lift his head heavenward. He told him, “It will bring a revelation to you.” On the next day, the politician reported back by saying, “I followed your advice and no revelation came. The water poured down my neck, and I felt like a fool.” In response, the Bishop said, “Well, isn’t that quite a revelation for the first try?”
Today’s devotional is a sequel to a previous devotional which focused on being APRIL FOOL’S GREATEST FOOL. In the book of Obadiah, the Edomites earn the title of being the greatest of fools. Let me tell you their Bible story.
The time was 586 BC in Jerusalem. The Babylonian army had just destroyed and sacked this great city. The Israelites had been defeated and taken captive. The Edomites, who were neighbors to the Jews, stood on the fringe, encouraging the Babylonians to ruin the city and be as ruthless as possible. [Obadiah 11]
Who were the Edomites? What type of people would not only watch but encourage the invasion and ruin of another group of people? They were relatives of the Jews. The Edomites were Esau’s descendants. The Jews were Jacob’s descendants. Esau and Jacob were twin brothers. Read about Esau selling his birthright to his younger brother, Jacob, in Genesis 25:14-17.
A bitter family feud resulted from that decision. From that point on, the Israelites and the Edomites were enemies. Hatred marked their relationship rather than forgiveness and love.
Fast forward. The last scene of this ongoing family feud is found in the book of Obadiah. This is the shortest book in the Old Testament. It is twenty-one verses long. Two themes are pronounced. Verses 1 to 16 describe the doom of the proud and rebellious Edomites. Verses 17 to 21 describe the deliverance of the meek and humble Israelites, who were avenged.
What is most significant to you and me is this. The book of Obadiah contains some truths which unlock the identity of what it means to be APRIL FOOL’S GREATEST FOOL. The greatest of fools may be a person or a nation. Esau was a person. Eden was a nation. Note some characteristics of someone described as the greatest of fools so that you will be wiser and able to help others avoid a similar outcome.
- The greatest of fools has no respect for anyone’s life other than his or her own. He or she is given to violence in a very unique way. Read the above Scripture focus for today. The Edomites not only watched Jerusalem being destroyed, they assisted in wrecking that city in two very unusual ways. In the first place, they did nothing to prevent the savagery. Secondly, they encouraged the violent acts. Esau had birthed violence in his people. [Genesis 27:41] Prejudice and discrimination had taken deep root. The greatest of fools may not actually lift a hand to hurt another person but by watching and doing nothing, he or she is a participant in the crime. Rather than being like the Good Samaritan, how tragic it is to live like the priest and the Levite. [Luke 10:31-33] Rather than helping, you bring great harm.
- The greatest of fools rejoices to see the pain of another person. This is so sick. Rejoicing at another person’s problems is so egotistical. The greatest of fools is so self-absorbed and self-centered that he or she has sheer apathy. Obadiah 12 states, “You should not look down on your brother in the Day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble.” When it is time to weep, the greatest of fools looks down, rejoices, and boasts.
- The greatest of fools takes advantage of those with problems. Again, it must be said that this is so sick. Obadiah 13 states, “You should not march through the gates of my people in the day of their disaster, nor look down on them in their calamity in the day of their disaster, nor seize their wealth in the day of their disaster.” The Edomites plundered their relatives. They robbed the city of its wealth. How inhuman it is when you kick or stomp on someone who is down for the count.
- The greatest of fools has such disdain for the life of other people that it comes full circle. What someone sows, is what someone reaps. His or her lack of consideration for the life of another is so great that it will bring his or her personal destruction. Obadiah 14-16 states, “You should not wait at the crossroads to cut down their fugitives, nor hand over their survivors in the day of their trouble. ‘The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head. Just as you drank on my holy hill, so all the nations will drink continually; they will drink and drink, and be as if they had never been.’” Some of the Jews tried to escape from Jerusalem. The Edomites blocked their way. They even helped capture some Jews who did escape and returned them to the Babylonians. Hindering escape means cutting off life. The Edomites were choosing to destroy lives. Never forget. What you sow, you will reap. What you do to others will later be done to you. Things come full circle unless there is repentance.
- The greatest of fools forgets the about the laws of blessing and retribution. Here is something that must never be forgotten. God has established unchangeable laws. He promised Abraham, “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse” [Genesis 12:1-3] God has chosen the Jewish people to be His chosen people. Gentile nations should remember the laws of blessing and retribution. The Bible teaches that people will be accountable for the way they treat the Jews. They will receive back what they give.
When you read about the Edomites, it is wise to ask yourself, “Am I behaving foolishly in any way?” God wants you to be wise. Wisdom is received by having a reverential fear of God. When you know God and follow His ways you will be greatly blessed with a divine understanding of life. [Psalm 111:10]
SOMETHING TO DO
Take a quiet moment to ask God the Holy Spirit to show you if you are behaving foolishly in any way. Examine the 5 characteristics previously mentioned. Ask God to bless you with His divine wisdom.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that You have taught me the difference between being foolish and wise. You are my Creator and my Shepherd. I am so grateful, Lord God, that You have made me and that You also guide me. Thank You for Your loving, forgiving care! Guard me from becoming a fool in any way. AMEN