PRIDE COMES BEFORE THE FALL...

OBADIAH is the shortest book in the Old Testament, but it conveys a powerful message that is as valid today as it was when the prophet Obadiah, whose name means "servant of the Lord," wrote it centuries ago. Obadiah prophesied God's judgment against the kingdom of Edom, which was formed by the descendants of Easu. The Edomites were strong people who were enemies of God's people Israel, just as their founder, Esau, had been opposed to his brother, the Israelite patriarch, Jacob. The rivalry between the two brothers extended to their descendants, and the Edomites seemed to take great pleasure in invading and plundering Jerusalem. Simply put, the Edomites had a problem with pride, just as many nations and individuals do today. Obadiah declared God's warning of destruction to Edom, saying, "Behold, I will make you small among the nations [Edom]; you shall be despised exceedingly. [Ezekiel 35]. The pride of your heart has deceived you, you dweller in the refuges of the rock [Petra, Edom's capital], whose habitation is high, who says in his heart, Who can bring me down to the ground?" (Obadiah 1:2,3). In the end, the Edomites' pride did lead to their destruction. God did execute His judgment against them, and these people are never mentioned in Scripture again after the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70. The pride spoken of in Obadiah 1:3 says, "Who can bring me down…?" This kind of pride says, "I am better than you; I am smarter than you. My opinion matters; yours does not. Everything I do is better." Did you know that "me, myself, and I" are the greatest problems we have? We spend our time and energy admiring ourselves and simply being full of ourselves, when in reality we are supposed to be full of God and empty of ourselves - totally empty! God can use only humble men and women. I have heard it said that it is yet to be seen what God can do through a man or a woman who will give HIM all the glory. Pride and love do not mix. Love is not proud and haughty. It is not boastful or conceited. It is not puffed up. Love does not look down on others; it does not see others as little and insignificant. Because love values every individual, everyone who comes in contact with a person who is full of love will be made to feel special, valuable, and encou-raged. Do you want God to use you? Ask Him to deal with your pride and give you love for people. Look to your example, Jesus, Who hum-bled Himself and gave Himself for you. I hope the message of Obadiah will remind us that pride is deadly. God wants us to live before Him and before others with a humble, tender heart. Pride, whether it is in a nation or in an individual, will not escape God's judgment, but humility brings His blessing and favour. [The Everyday Life Bible, Amplified Version, featuring notes and commentary by Joyce Meyer, Faith Words, 2006].