Bible Explorer for the Young (Jonah & Obadiah)Sample

Don’t Rejoice Over Others’ Misfortune

Obadiah 1:12a

You should not have laughed at your brother’s trouble.

The Edomites are the descendants of Esau, while the Israelites are the descendants of Jacob. Esau and Jacob were twins. Edom was located at a very strategic location with rugged mountainous terrain that would be easily defended if they were attacked. It was also located at a crossroads where most trading and business took place. It made them rich and so prideful.

When the Israelites were invaded by the Babylonians, the Edomites didn’t try to help them. Even worse, they gloated over the misfortune of Israel and helped the Babylonians loot the city and mistreat the people!

God showed a vision about Edom to the prophet Obadiah that due to their pride, violence, bad attitude and mistreatment to the Israelites, a big calamity would fall upon them and they would be driven away from their homeland by the Nabateans. 

Let us learn from the Edomites’ mistakes. Let’s not gloat over other people’s misfortune, including the person who has hurt us before. On the other hand, when someone else rejoices over our misfortune, remember that God is watching and will defend us with His own ways.

Prayer

Dear God, give me a compassionate heart to always help the weak. May my life be a blessing to others. Amen.