Neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress. Obadiah 1:12 KJV
Do not rejoice over the sons of Judah In the day of their destruction; Yes, do not boast In the day of their distress. Obadiah 1:12 NASB
There may be differences among scholars regarding the particular event that Obadiah cites in his condemnation of Edom. It may well be the final Babylonish invasion of the land and the deportation of Judah to Babylon. What is not questioned is the judgment of God on Edom for his lack of compassion and brotherly care for Judah.
Jacob and Esau, twin brothers from the womb of Rebekah, had an acrimonious relationship for many years. Jacob’s less than honest dealing with his brother, even at his return in Genesis 33, was certainly less than should be expected of a man who had just had dealings with God. But there is no further suggestion in Genesis of hostility between the brothers.
But now, possibly more than a thousand years later, the nation which sprang from Esau, Edom, is found rejoicing at the fall of the nation which sprang from Jacob. In fact, the prophet charges Edom with a number of violations of brotherly love.
The Spirit of God pinpoints the reason for Edom’s behaviour – it was their pride. As a result, they encouraged the foes of Judah in their attack, they enjoyed the destruction that was wrought, they enriched themselves by taking the bounty that was left by the fleeing Israelites, and they hindered their escape and helped enslave them.
Brotherhood was violated in every way. God looked on with righteous indignation. Though Judah was reaping the governmental judgment of God, Edom should not have rejoiced over it. Edom had sown cruelty and would reap judgment.
Fast forward another 600 years. Another descendant of Edom is facing another descendant of Jacob. Herod is brought face-to-face with the Lord Jesus Christ. How did this Edomite treat his “brother” from the tribe of Judah?
Herod, with his men of war, “set Him at naught and mocked Him” (Luke 23:11). Once again, a descendant of Edom rejoiced over the apparent calamity about to befall one of the sons of Judah. As did Edom 600 years earlier, Herod is finding pleasure and sport in his treatment of the Lord. The expression “set at naught” means to treat Him as nothing.
As Edom of old, this Edomite encouraged another foe, Pilate, in what they were doing. Here was an opportunity for Herod and Pilate to mend their rift and strengthen their ties, all at the expense of the Lord Jesus.
Edom enslaved some of the escaping Judeans (Obadiah 14). Herod treated Christ in a similar manner: “He sent Him again to Pilate” (Luke 23:11). His hours of entertainment over, Herod must have sat back with a sense of both relief that this man was not John the Baptist risen from the dead, and a sense of power in having humiliated and taunted the alleged miracle-working Christ.
As Edom sowed the seed of their own ruin, so Herod was sowing the seed of eternal ruin. “But He (Christ) answered him nothing.” A silent Christ meant sure doom for Herod with all his pride and hubris.
Consider:
Can you draw any other parallels between Obadiah and the scenes surrounding Calvary?
