This month we will be reflecting on the book of the prophet Obadiah, the shortest of the minor prophets, with only twenty-one verses that make up this entire book. Not much is known about the prophet Obadiah, other than that this book surfaces after the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem in the year 587 B.C. Obadiah gives a prophecy that has to deal with the rivalry between Edom and Israel, stating that the Lord will triumph over Edom, leading the Israelites to restoration. The rivalry that exists between these two nations springs from the relationship and the miscomprehensions between twin brothers Esau and Jacob. The Edomites are descendants of Esau and the Israelites are descendants of Jacob. Looking back at the story of these two brothers in Genesis (25-36), there was a continuous tension between the two brothers about who would receive their father’s blessing. Jacob offered Esau stew in exchange for their father’s inheritance, revealing that Esau did not necessarily appreciate the gift of this blessing. Jacob however, deceived his father, to gain the blessing, which in turn made Esau angry and who then goes on to threaten to kill Jacob. After many years, the two brothers met again, reconciling with one another and Jacob even gave back to him the blessing, saying to Esau” ‘please accept my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.’” Thus he urged him, and he took it.” (Gen. 33:11). They both went on to lead great nations. While the twins themselves were reconciled, their nations struggled to find peace with one another.
The majority of this prophecy speaks of the destruction of Israel’s enemy, Edom, because of their violence and deceit, and while it can sometimes be overwhelming reading passages such as these, we will try to discover what is essential and important for us and our own journey of faith. Let us look specifically at verses 3-4:
“The pride of your heart has deceived you—
you who dwell in mountain crevices,
in your lofty home,
Who say in your heart,
“Who will bring me down to earth?”
Though you soar like the eagle,
and your nest is set among the stars,
From there I will bring you down—
oracle of the LORD.” (Ob. 3-4)
In these verses, the Lord scolds the Edomites for their pride and arrogant ways. They believe to be superior to those around them and even superior to God. They are like the psalmist in Psalm 30:7 “Complacent, I once said, ‘I shall never be shaken’”. They believe themselves to be invincible. How often do we believe that we are invincible? We become comfortable with where we are, thinking that we have everything figured out and surely no one else can tell us what we are missing. Sometimes this attitude sinks into our spiritual lives. We believe that we know what is best for us, our families, our friends even more than the Lord. We begin to take the reigns into our own hands. We can also become fearful of losing certain securities that our pride tends to fuel.
When the Lord says that he will bring down those who have a heart filled with pride, it is not said with malice or aggression. But states the inevitable when one starts to live out of selfishness and self-reliant autonomy. It is a cycle that brings one to isolation, sadness and anger. It becomes a life that lacks vitality and light. Not because the Lord condemns, but because one moves aways from the very source of Life and Light, which is God himself. One cannot be all things to oneself and be in communion and relationship at the same time. To be in relationship means to lack and to have need, and it is not a bad thing! This is our reality with our Creator. But the beautiful news is that He can fulfill the lack, a little bit at a time. Space just needs to be made for Him, and to do that one has to put himself aside in order to receive from the other.
This is true in our relationship with God, but also with our neighbor. If we continuously isolate ourselves on a mountain top of pride, hidden away from the other, we cannot enter into relationship with another. Without that relationship, we no longer experience the gift of love: given and received.
In Psalm 30, it says that the Lord hid his face, and so the psalmist experienced great darkness. But from that darkness, the psalmist cried out to the Lord and the Lord answered him and saved him. Sometimes the Lord, hides his face so that we realize how much we need Him. In order to overcome the prideful spaces of our heart, a concrete step we can take is cry out to the Lord, “Lord, I need you. Help me to let go of what I am holding onto too tightly”. Our pride begins to dissipate when we realize that we cannot make it alone. The Prophet Obadiah invites us to come down from our mountain of isolation so that we may encounter the Lord in our weakness, which reveals our great need for an infinite Love. It is only in humility that we are able to rejoice in His saving power, which is Love itself.
Concrete resolutions:
- Where have I become complacent and comfortable in my spiritual life? Do I recognize my need for God every day? (The song Lord I Need You by Matt Maher is a beautiful reflection on this topic)
- Pray with Psalm 30 to see the joy of admitting your need for God.
This month’s meditation is by Sr. Kate Cropp, AVI.
