The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; you who say in your heart, “Who will bring me down to the ground?” Though you ascend as high as the eagle, and though you set your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” says the Lord. (Obadiah 1:3-4)

I Will Bring You Down

The nation of Edom occupied the mountainous territory south of the Dead Sea, extending along the eastern border of the Arabah Valley to Elath on the Gulf of Aqaba. It was known as Mt. Seir and given to the descendants of Esau, son of Isaac and brother to Jacob. When the children of Israel approached Edom in their wilderness wanderings, Edom refused passage to follow the King’s Highway through the center of their land. This made it necessary for the Israelites to detour around the country en route to Canaan. When Israel divided after the death of Solomon, Edom was part of the southern tribes but later joined Nebuchadnezzar against Judah and Jerusalem.

Edom’s alliance with the Babylonians brought the wrath of the Lord and the prophetic message from Obadiah. Strategically, Edom was secure in the mountains of Petra, but their heart was filled with pride against Judah. God was angry with Edom as they were part of the Abrahamic family rebelling against their own people. The Edomites were from the family of Esau, and joining forces with the Babylonians brought brother (Esau) to fight against brother (Jacob). God was bringing judgments against the mountains of Esau through the words of Obadiah.

During the Maccabean period of history in the Middle East, the people of Edom were forced to conform to Jewish laws. Following the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., the national identity of the people of Edom was lost. God had promised to bring the nation down from its pride, and history has shown its fulfillment. Any nation or people that exalt themselves will be brought down.

Solomon said, “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” The angels must laugh when they see men enlarge their hearts against God. The Edomites felt secure in their kingdom in the mountains, and their hearts were filled with pride. God brought them low because God is higher than all men. He raises nations and brings them down. The counsel of the Lord determines the affairs of nations. Rulers serve at the discretion of the will of God. Pride will bring a nation to its ruin. The folly of human wisdom is no match for the decree of the Lord.

Pride comes when a nation removes God from its central theme of belief. A godless nation will not last long because the consequences of rebellion always seed tomorrow’s destruction. Many nations are destroyed from within without a conquering nation standing on their borders. Filling the heart with human wisdom is pride. It is when a man believes God is no longer necessary and rejects the teachings of the Almighty. When a nation turns away from the word of God, it turns itself onto the path of destruction.

Edom was destroyed because they were proud of themselves and sought to establish an alliance with Babylon. God punished them as He will punish any nation that turns away from Him. Pride deceives the heart to say that nothing will bring them down. Even if a man can soar like an eagle or build his home among the stars, God is greater. Obadiah reminds us of how great God is and how small we are. We need God. He works among the nations. Let Him work in your life to lift you up. Through Jesus Christ, you will find the joy of eternal peace.