Through the Bible: Obadiahናሙና

Work Out Our Salvation With Fear

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.

Obadiah 1:10-11 (ESV)

Why is a brother's cruelty especially offensive to God? In these verses, we understand that our Lord wants to cut off Edom forever because of Esau’s violence towards his brother, Jacob. The Lord is very furious because it is our duty to love one another, and especially more so the duty of a brother to love his brother. Children of the same parents are bound by nature. Therefore, cruelty towards our brothers is offensive to God. Let’s remember that it is totally unacceptable to God for us to have any hatred or show violence to our brothers and sisters.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your teaching today. May You always remind us to love one another, especially our brothers and sisters, as You love us. Please remind us not to abandon them when they are in need of help. We pray all these in Your mighty name, Amen!