11 The vision of Obadiah . Thus says the Lord [1]GOD concerning Edom - We have heard a report from the Lord , And an envoy has been sent among the nations saying, " Arise and let us go against her for battle "- 2 "Behold , I will make you small among the nations ; You are greatly despised . 3 "The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, You who live in the clefts of [2]the rock , In the loftiness of your dwelling place , Who say in your heart , ' Who will bring me down to earth ?' 4 "Though you build high like the eagle , Though you set your nest among the stars , From there I will bring you down ," declares the Lord . 5 "If thieves came to you, If [3]robbers by night - O how you will be ruined !- Would they not steal only [4]until they had enough ? If grape gatherers came to you, Would they not leave some gleanings ? 6 "O how Esau will be ransacked , And his hidden treasures searched out! 7 "All the men [5]allied with you Will send you forth to the border , And the men at peace with you Will deceive you and overpower you. They who eat your bread Will set an ambush for you. (There is no understanding [6]in him.) 8 "Will I not on that day ," declares the Lord , " Destroy wise men from Edom And understanding from the mountain of Esau ? 9 "Then your mighty men will be dismayed , O Teman , So that everyone may be cut off from the mountain of Esau by slaughter .
10 "Because of violence to your brother Jacob , [7]You will be covered with shame , And you will be cut off forever . 11 "On the day that you stood aloof e , On the day that strangers carried off his wealth , And foreigners entered his gate And cast lots for Jerusalem - You too were as one of them. 12 " Do not [8]gloat over your brother's day , The day of his misfortune . And do not rejoice over the sons of Judah In the day of their destruction ; Yes, do not [9]boast e In the day of their distress . 13 "Do not enter the gate of My people In the day of their disaster . Yes , you, do not [10]gloat over their calamity In the day of their disaster . And do not loot their wealth In the day of their disaster . 14 "Do not stand at the fork of the road To cut down their fugitives ; And do not imprison their survivors In the day of their distress .
15 "For the day of the Lord draws near on all the nations . As you have done , it will be done to you. Your dealings will return on your own head . 16 "Because just as you drank on My holy mountain , All the nations will drink continually . They will drink and [11]swallow And become as if they had never existed .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Obadiah 1:1-16
Commentary on Obadiah 1:1-16
(Read Obadiah 1:1-16)
This prophecy is against Edom. Its destruction seems to have been typical, as their father Esau's rejection; and to refer to the destruction of the enemies of the gospel church. See the prediction of the success of that war; Edom shall be spoiled, and brought down. All the enemies of God's church shall be disappointed in the things they stay themselves on. God can easily lay those low who magnify and exalt themselves; and will do it. Carnal security ripens men for ruin, and makes the ruin worse when it comes. Treasures on earth cannot be so safely laid up but that thieves may break through and steal; it is therefore our wisdom to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven. Those that make flesh their trust, arm it against themselves. The God of our covenant will never deceive us: but if we trust men with whom we join ourselves, it may prove to us a wound and dishonour. God will justly deny those understanding to keep out of danger, who will not use their understandings to keep out of sin. All violence, all unrighteousness, is sin; but it makes the violence far worse, if it be done against any of God's people. Their barbarous conduct towards Judah and Jerusalem, is charged upon them. In reflecting on ourselves, it is good to consider what we should have done; to compare our practice with the Scripture rule. Sin, thus looked upon in the glass of the commandment, will appear exceedingly sinful. Those have a great deal to answer for, who are idle spectators of the troubles of their neighbours, when able to be active helpers. Those make themselves poor, who think to make themselves rich by the ruin of the people of God; and those deceive themselves, who call all that their own on which they can lay their hands in a day of calamity. Though judgment begins at the house of God, it shall not end there. Let sorrowful believers and insolent oppressors know, that the troubles of the righteous will soon end, but those of the wicked will be eternal.