Devotion based on Week 4 of “The Prophets” – Obadiah (WATCH HERE)
“The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” declares the Lord. (Obadiah 1:3–4, NIV)
Obadiah, the shortest book in the Old Testament, packs a sharp and sobering message. It speaks to the nation of Edom, the descendants of Esau, who looked down on Israel (descendants of Jacob). While Israel suffered, Edom stood pridefully by, mocking, gloating, and even taking advantage of their brother’s misfortune. God’s judgment was clear: Edom’s pride had deceived them.
Obadiah highlights an essential truth: pride deceives us. Edom thought their mountain fortresses made them invincible. They boasted in their location, their wisdom, and their alliances. But God declared that none of these could protect them from His judgment.
Pride is deceptive because it gives us a false sense of security. It whispers:
- “I don’t need God.”
- “I can handle life on my own.”
- “I’m better than others.”
But Scripture warns us, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). The moment we rely on ourselves instead of God, we step onto dangerous ground.
The heart of pride is self-centeredness. It puts “me” on the throne instead of God. Edom’s pride blinded them to compassion, led them to mock others’ suffering, and caused them to oppose God’s people. Pride is never harmless. It poisons relationships with God and with others.
Jesus warns of this in Luke 18:9–14 with the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee trusted in his own righteousness, looking down on others, while the tax collector humbly cried, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Jesus declared the humble man justified, not the proud.
Pride separates us from grace because it makes us think we don’t need it. As James 4:6 reminds us: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Obadiah’s prophecy isn’t just about Edom, it’s about us. Pride still lurks in our hearts. We may not boast in mountain fortresses, but we might put our confidence in careers, finances, accomplishments, or our own wisdom. When we do, we risk falling into the same trap: trusting ourselves instead of the Lord.
The good news is that God’s call is always to humility. The gospel invites us to lay down pride and walk in grace. In Philippians 2:5–8, Paul points us to Jesus, who humbled Himself, becoming obedient to death on a cross. The Son of God embraced humility to perfectly cover our sin of pride. The Son of God showed humility to guide us away from our pride. The Son of God humbly served us to save us from our sin of pride and every other sin!
Apply: Examine Your Heart: Where are you tempted to rely on yourself instead of God?
Practice Dependence: Begin each day with prayer, confessing your need for His strength. Celebrate Grace: Remember that every success you enjoy is a gift from God, not a monument to your own greatness.
Prayer: Lord, guard my heart from pride. Show me where I rely too much on myself and too little on You. Give me the humility of Jesus, who laid down His glory for my salvation. Help me to trust You fully, love others deeply, and live for Your honor alone. Amen.