God Is Angry Because He Loves His Glory
.jpg)
The book of Obadiah, like most of the Minor Prophets, is a book that spotlights the anger of God. A few hundred years before Obadiah prophesied, the prophet Joel prophesied in Joel 2 that the Southern Kingdom (also called Judah) would be destroyed by a great army if it did not repent.
We know from history and from the Biblical record that Jerusalem was sacked by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. Obadiah’s prophesy is in response to something else that happened when Jerusalem was destroyed. Obadiah is prophesying about God’s anger towards Judah’s neighbors in the South, the people of Edom.
It’s here where we learn that God is angry because He loves His glory.
God’s love for His own glory is implied when you notice the first reason for God’s anger with Edom: God is angry because Edom is proud.
Obadiah 1:1-3a—The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom: We have heard a report from the LORD, and a messenger has been sent among the nations: “Rise up! Let us rise against her for battle!” 2 Behold, I will make you small among the nations; you shall be utterly despised. 3 The pride of your heart has deceived you, . . .
Notice why Edom is proud. . .
i) Edom is proud of her land. . .
Obadiah 1:3b-4—you who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, “Who will bring me down to the ground?” 4 Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the LORD.
The Edomites lived in a high plateau south of the Dead Sea. At some places it was over 5,000 feet above sea level. They felt impregnable, but God says “I will bring you down.” Land will not save Edom from the anger of God.
ii) Edom is proud of her possessions. . .
Obadiah 1:5-6—If thieves came to you, if plunderers came by night—how you have been destroyed!— would they not steal only enough for themselves? If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave gleanings? 6 How Esau has been pillaged, his treasures sought out!
Thieves and grape gatherers have one thing in common: both leave things behind. They don’t take everything. But nothing will be left behind when Edom is pillaged. Possessions will not save Edom from the anger of God.
iii) Edom is proud of her friends. . .
Obadiah 1:7—All your allies have driven you to your border; those at peace with you have deceived you; they have prevailed against you; those who eat your bread have set a trap beneath you—you have no understanding.
Edom knew friends in high places. They had influence. But they would turn on her, as she turned on God’s people. Friends will not save Edom from the anger of God.
iv) Edom is proud of her wisdom. . .
Obadiah 1:8—Will I not on that day, declares the Lord, destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of Mount Esau?
Edom prided herself on her wise men. One of Job’s counselors was a wise man named Eliphaz the Temanite. Teman is a city in Edom. But wisdom will not save Edom from the anger of God.
v) Edom is proud of her strength. . .
Obadiah 1:9—And your mighty men shall be dismayed, O Teman, so that every man from Mount Esau will be cut off by slaughter.
Strength will not save Edom from the anger of God.
Notice how God’s anger rises in proportion to Edom’s pride!
This is not new to the book of Obadiah. God’s anger towards pride is clearly seen throughout Scripture. . .
Proverbs 16:5—"Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished."
James 4:6—“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
But what is it about pride that fuels God’s anger? Last week was Mother’s Day. Moms, how would you have felt if you’re gathered with your family for lunch and your kids are sitting at the table staring at their phones? All of us know what that feels like. Is it right to be angry? Yes, because they’re exchanging something greater (image-bearers of God!) for something lesser (words and images on a screen!)
If that is true in human relationships, how much more is it true for a holy and infinitely good God? Pride is exchanging the infinitely glorious One for something infinitely lesser!
As the prophet wrote in Isaiah 42:8, I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.
God is angry because He loves His glory!!!