Obadiah - "The Original Family Feud"

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Family feuds are nothing new. However, arguably one of the most famous family feuds throughout the past 250 year of American folklore is the feud between the Hatfield's and McCoy's. In the backwoods of Kentucky and Virginia just after the Civil War, these two families ended up fighting for decades. In spite of an investigation by Time Magazine who wrote an article about the feud in 1981, the question of just how the feud began is still up for debate. 

Whatever the reason, one the stories tells of how and unarmed Ellison Hatfield was taunted by one of the McCoy's sons. In the end, the McCoy boy ended up killing Ellison Hatfield as he stabbed in some 17 times and then shot him to make sure he was dead. In those days without much law enforcement, families would settle matters themselves. And, in an eye-for-an-eye retaliation, the it is said that Devil Anse Hatfield, Ellison's brother, captured three Mccoy boys, tied them to a pawpaw bush, and shot them to death. By the early 1900, the feud finally ended, but not without of loss of up to 100 men and women within both families. How tragic!

While today's reading is only one chapter, it's the story of a family feud. However, this family feud started thousands of years ago, and it lasted for over a thousand years. In the end, thousands of people were affected and even died. In this book, we read how God raises up an obscure prophet by the name of Obadiah who will become the one who warns one of the families - Edom - of their impending doom.

 

The book of Obadiah is believed to have been written by the prophet Obadiah, although not much is known about him. The book was likely written sometime in the 6th century BC, during a time when the nation of Edom was a powerful enemy of the Israelites.

The main theme of the book of Obadiah is God's judgment on Edom for their pride and arrogance. The Edomites had taken advantage of Israel's weakness and had even participated in the destruction of Jerusalem. However, God promises to bring judgment on Edom and to restore Israel.

So, how is this a "family feud?"

Well, it was a struggle that actually began in the womb between twin brothers - Jacob and Esau. If you'll remember, Abraham and Sarah gave birth to a son named Isaac who married Rebekah and gave birth to these two boys. From the beginning, these boys were very different in personality and characteristics. And, if you'll remember, they struggled in their relationship with each other until much later in life.

Sadly, their descendants never really connected. Consequently, in spite of the fact that they were all one big family, they struggled to get along.

However, God's frustration with the whole thing was when the nation of Edom refused to help their brothers the Israelites during their journey into the Promised Land (Numbers 20:14-21).  Later, the Edomites actually assisted one of Israel's enemies fight against the nation of Israel. 

Obadiah is finally called by God to describe Edom's crimes against His people, try their case in His court, and pronounce their judgment. As we read through the chapter, we realize the sentencing is total destruction! God tells them in 1:5 - "But your enemies will wipe you out completely!"  

 

God explains "why" He is doing this in verse 10 - "And why? Because of the violence you did to your close relatives in Israel...For you deserted your relatives in Israel during their time of greatest need."

The Book of Obadiah is a great reminder of just how protective God is of His own people. He takes it personally when people come against His own.  Remember, Jesus said in Matthew 25:40, "I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,[a] you were doing it to me!"

That's a powerful encouragement to all of us who are believers.  And this book is a great reminder of that incredible truth.

God protects His own and takes vengeance on those who are our enemies.

How does that make you feel?  Encourage, I hope!