SEARCHLIGHT
Could you be acting foolishly in some area of your life?
SCRIPTURE
The vision of Obadiah. This is what the Sovereign Lord says about Edom - We have heard a message from the Lord: An envoy was sent to the nations to say, “Rise, let us go against her for battle”- “See, I will make you small among the nations; you will be utterly despised…” But how Esau will be ransacked, his hidden treasures pillaged! Obadiah 1,2,6 NIV
SPOTLIGHT
Years ago, in a large city bank, the internal operations chief almost fainted when he entered his office one morning. All 12 of the young ladies who operate the complicated banking machines had come to work wearing maternity dresses. Suddenly he was overwhelmed with the thought of having to train a dozen new workers all at once. It felt like he had been hit by a sledgehammer. As he was trying to stand up, the 12 young women chimed, “April fool!”
April Fool’s Day is remembered as being the first day of April each year. Practical jokes and tricks are played on people. The intent is to make people look silly or embarrassed. Growing up in my home, my 2 brothers and I would loosen the tops of the salt and pepper shakers, replace salt in the sugar bowl, hide clothes and keys, as well as, change the time on clocks. When you caught the person in the experience, you would yell, “April Fool.” These innocent pranks “usually” brought laughter amongst friends.
There is a totally different kind of fool who brings no laughter to anyone. He is the greatest of fools because he brings great pain and sorrow to people and ultimately to himself. This is a person who fools himself into believing things about himself which are far from being true. All of this leads to his downfall. He does not realize how much of a fool he is for having convinced himself of what he is not. In today’s Bible focus from the book of Obadiah, we learn what makes APRIL FOOL’S GREATEST FOOL for all times. The Edomites can truly be described as the greatest of fools. They are somebody you do not want to be. And that is no April Fool’s joke!
Let me tell you the Bible story behind the book of Obadiah. The time was 586 BC in Jerusalem. The Babylonian army had just destroyed and sacked this great city. The Israelites had been defeated and taken into captivity. The Edomites, who were neighbors to the Jews, stood on the fringe, encouraging the Babylonians to ruin the city and be as ruthless as possible. [Obadiah 11]
Who were the Edomites? What type of people would not only watch but encourage the invasion and ruin of another group of people? They were relatives of the Jews. The Edomites were Esau’s descendants. The Jews were Jacob’s descendants. Esau and Jacob were twin brothers. Read about Esau selling his birthright to his younger brother, Jacob, in Genesis 25:14-17.
A bitter family feud resulted from that decision. From that point on, the Israelites and the Edomites were enemies. Hatred marked their relationship rather than forgiveness and love.
Fast forward. The last scene of this ongoing family feud is found in the book of Obadiah. This is the shortest book in the Old Testament. It is 21 verses long. Two themes are pronounced. Verses 1 to 16 describe the doom of the proud and rebellious Edomites. Verses 17 to 21 describe the deliverance of the meek and humble Israelites, who were avenged.
What is most significant? The book of Obadiah contains truths which unlock the meaning of being APRIL FOOL’S GREATEST FOOL. The greatest of fools may be a person or a nation. Esau was a person. Edom was a nation. Note some characteristics of the greatest of fools so that you will be wiser and able to help others to avoid a similar outcome.
- The greatest of fools believe life’s destiny is self-determined. In the end, the greatest of fools is destined to experience utter insignificance. Why? God is ruled out. They believe there is no need for Him. The Edomites lived this way. They believed their significance resulted from doing things their way. The foolish Edomites were arrogantly self-sufficient. They lived as if God did not even exist. If God did exist, they thought He certainly can be ignored. Read today’s Scripture focus again. In verses 1, 2 and 6, God declared that the future of the Edomites was doomed. This prophecy was fulfilled. Mark it down! They chose to “take God on.” When people choose to fight God, they are so foolish. Why? Because they are choosing to fight the very One who gave them the ability to fight at all. The greatest of fools mark their own destiny by challenging God, ignoring God or denying God exists.
- The greatest of fools are plagued with pride. They feel invincible. Obadiah 3 and 4 state, “The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the cleft of the rocks and make your home in 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.” The Edomites lived in a mountainous region southeast of the Dead Sea. It was hardly accessible. Filled with cliffs and caves, they believed no one could defeat them. Sela, now known as Petra, was their capital. The greatest of fools say, “Who can bring us down?” The most foolish of fools believe they cannot be touched by any power, including God. The truth is that no human is beyond the reach of God. No matter how high an astronaut may ascend, God is still higher and greater.
- The greatest of fools establish wrong relationships. They choose friendships with people who will later turn on them. Obadiah 7 states, “All your allies will force you to the border; your friends will deceive and overpower you; those who eat your bread will set a trap for you, but you will not detect it.” The greatest of fools are very unwise regarding personal relationships. Rather than forgiving the Israelites, who were family, the Edomites connected with nations who later oppressed them. Hate and bitterness lead the greatest of fools to have poor judgment and make unwise decisions. Who you are connected to will determine your outcome. Bad company corrupts good people which leads to terrible outcomes.
- The greatest of fools believe there is no one who is wiser or who has a better understanding. Personal arrogance can be so great that it brings destruction. Obadiah 8, 9 state, “In that day,” declares the Lord, “will I not destroy the wise men of Edom, those of understanding in the mountains of Esau? Your warriors, Teman, will be terrified, and everyone in Esau’s mountains will be cut down in the slaughter.” He who is wise in his own eyes is blind!
When you read about the Edomites it is wise to ask yourself, “Am I behaving foolishly in any way?” God wants you to be wise. Wisdom is received by having a reverential fear of God. When you know God and follow His ways you will be greatly blessed with a divine understanding of life. [Psalm 111:10]
SOMETHING TO DO
Take a quiet moment to ask God the Holy Spirit to show you if you are behaving foolishly in any way. Examine the 4 characteristics previously mentioned. Ask God to bless you with His divine wisdom.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I am so thankful You have taught me the difference between being foolish and wise. You are my Creator and my Shepherd. I am so grateful, Lord God, that You have made me and that You also guide me. Thank you for Your loving, forgiving care! Guard me from becoming a fool in any way. AMEN