Pride

"How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up!" Obadiah 6

The Lord has been dealing with me lately concerning pride. I hadn't thought much about having a problem with pride until I started listening to God more carefully. I never read Obadiah either until I heard God say Obadiah 5,6. In my ignorance, I tried to find Obadiah 5:6 only to realize the book was only a single chapter but so very powerful.

I read these obscure verses, "If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grapegatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes? How are the things of Esau searched out! how are his hidden things sought up!" and thought, huh? Lord, what are you trying to tell me? thieves? robbers? grapes? What does this have to do with me?

My research on Obadiah uncovered that the purpose of the book is to announce the destruction of Edom because of her pride and sin against Judah. Further, I learned that Edom and Judah's feud started with Esau and Jacob. In the Book of Genesis is told the story of how Esau's pride allowed him to be tricked by his brother Jacob into giving away his birthright to his younger brother Jacob. This incident resulted in a long fought feud between the brothers which carried onto their ancestors in Edom and Judah during the time of Obadiah.

The more I uncovered about the prophet and heard from God, the more parallels I saw between my Pride (Esau/Edom) and the will of God (Jacob/Jesus "the lion of the tribe of Judah . Obadiah was writing to comfort Judah by announcing Edom's destruction and Judah's restoration and deliverance in the Day of the Lord. Simultaneously, the Lord announced to me the destruction of Pride in my life so that he could use me more effectively for his Kingdom. What an awesome God!

I am still a long way from totally breaking the power and influence of my Pride. I think partially because it is so subtle and manifests itself in so many different ways. I am however grateful that the Lord is peeling it away layer by layer.

Father, forgive me for the sin of Pride. Help me to recognize the many faces of pride in my life so that they can be isolated and removed by the root. Heal me by the blood of Christ and restore me into a usable servant. I love you Father and I am so thankful for your grace. Help me to continue to hear your still small voice as you tear down the strongholds in my life. I ask these things in the Name above all names, Jesus Christ! Amen