Don’t rejoice over the misfortune of others

“The vision of Obadiah. This is what the Sovereign Lord says about Edom – We have heard a message from the Lord: an envoy was sent to the nations to say, ‘Rise, let us go against her for battle’ – ‘See, I will make you small among the nations; you will be utterly despised. The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, “Who can bring me down to the ground?” Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,’ declares the Lord.” (Obadiah 1-4 NIV)

Edom was a nation that was prevalent during the time of Israel, from their wilderness wanderings until they were taken into captivity. It was Jacob’s brother Esau who settled in this area and gave them their name (Genesis 25:30; 32:3). Although a small nation, they inhabited an almost inaccessible location and built a city carved out of the rocks. The ruins of Petra is the area they were in – although the ruins we see were from a later period, it allows us to see how they lived “in the cleft of the rocks” and “make your nest among the stars”. 

What did they do to bring God’s judgement? As this prophecy opens there is a brief hint at what Edom had done: “let us go against her for battle”. The detail is given later.

“Your warriors, Teman, will be terrified, and everyone in Esau’s mountains will be cut down in the slaughter. Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame; you will be destroyed for ever. On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them. You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble…You should not wait at the crossroads to cut down their fugitives, nor hand over their survivors in the day of their trouble.” (Obadiah 9-14)

Although different dates and attacks on Judah have been suggested, the one that seems to fit best is when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and took most of the remainder into exile. Edom did nothing to help the people of Judah but instead cheered on the attackers. They took great pleasure in seeing what was happening to their neighbour. For many years they had been subjugated by Israel and Judah beginning with King David. They revolted many years later during the reign King Jehoram of Judah and remained independent.

When Judah was being attacked they watched what was happening with pleasure. Finally the nation who had subjected them was being overthrown! The problem was that they were a related people, both Edom and Judah being descended from Abraham and Isaac. They shouldn’t have rejoiced in the misfortune of their neighbours.

Even though God was behind Judah being defeated and taken into captivity it wasn’t for those surrounding Judah to join in and rejoice over what was happening. Because of what they did to God’s people, they would receive God’s judgement.

“The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.” (Obadiah 1:15)

This is a lesson for us. We are not to rejoice over the misfortune of those we don’t like and might be considered our enemies. Instead we are to love our enemies and do good to them (Luke 6:27). In this way we show that we are the sons of God who is also kind to all, even those who are evil (Luke 6:35). May our lives show we are part of God’s family.

Photo by Jon Galloway: Petra, Jordan.

Readings for next week: Amos 5-9; Obadiah; Jonah 1-4; Micah 1-3