https://odb.org/MY/2022/10/21/choosing-compassion
Obadiah 1:8-15 is a word from the LORD spoken by Obadiah the prophet to the Edomites who were descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob. The Edomites had always fought against Israel and Judah and when the Israelites were brought out of Egypt, they refused passage by the Israelites across their land. It was an Edomite who killed 85 of the priests who helped David when he fled from Saul.
When Israel was down and was invaded by other forces and Jerusalem captured, the Edomites rejoiced and watched in glee the defeat and destruction of the Israelites and the LORD warned them against that. This is because often the Israelites are defeated as the LORD allowed to teach them a lesson for their disobedience, to bring them back into obedience and the right path.
Thus I’m not quite sure that a warning by God to the Edomites, who are enemies of the Israelites, is a good example to teach or apply the principle that we ought to love our neighbours, even our enemies. This is because the Edomites are not the people of God although they were descended from Esau.
I do not disagree that we should have compassion for our enemies as Jesus taught us to love our enemies. For example, even as we pray that the previous ruling party who was filled with the corrupted do not return to power, we should not gloat if they were to lose the upcoming general elections. We will rejoice that justice prevailed and yet we need to temper such rejoicing with compassion.
To me, Obadiah 1 speaks of God’s love for Israel even if He allowed their enemies to overcome them and bring them into exile because of their disobedience to Him. The LORD Himself allowed such to afflict His chosen people but He warns their enemies not to gloat or rejoice so much because the day will come when they too will be defeated. Look at Obadiah 1:15. He still loved Israel dearly with all His heart.
God’s heart will always be with Israel and now after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, with us the church as the spiritual Israel. Even if we are to go through intense persecution for our faith in the days to come, our enemies who persecute us should not gloat and rejoice at our predicament as God’s judgment will be upon them for the day of the LORD is near! As you have done, it will be done to you. Your deeds will return upon your own head! Obadiah 1:15.
Ronnie's Thoughts 