The Pulpit Commentary — Obadiah — Section 27

Ver. 11.-Edom as Babylon. "Even thou wast as one of them." Edom, :i.lthough claiming Abraham and Isaac for his forefathers, was so unfraternal to Israel that when Jerusalem was captured by the Babylonians, he shared in the hostility. His cry was, "Rase it, ra.se it, even to the ground l" To this our text •nakes reference. " Rveu thou wast as one of them." And what Obadiah thus says to Edom, he migL ofte11  THE BOOK OP GBADIAlt --~~-----------------------~--- st.11nd and nay to ~ome of ,t.~. How many who have been nursed In privileges and taken 11 plRC'c ns ~crvnnts of the God of Abraham, have been tound, like Balaam, amongst the enemies of t be Lord I "Even thou wast as one of them." How often the inquiry might come to those who ought t,o be bearing holy witness for God, "What doest thou here, Elijah ? " The words may well convey a warning to us, for even the moat godly have often fallen from their steadfastness. Let us note some examples by way of fixing this warning upon our hearts. I. WE ALL DENOUNCE DRUNKENNESS. We all sadly mourn the condition of iuebriatea. ,AJa.s l there was a time when Obadiah might have stood in attitude of condemnation before the Patriarch Noah, and said," Even thou wast as one of them." IT. WE SCORN THE LIAR. But there was a time when Abraham became untruth- ful. Oliadiab might have appeared before him, and said, "Even thou wast as one of them." m. WE ABOMINATE IMPURITY. But there was a time when Obadiah might have stood before David, as did the Prophet Nathan, and said," Thou art the man I" "Even thou wABt 11B one of them." IV. WE DEPLORE BASH SPEAKING .U.'D HOT AND HASTY WORDS. Time was when Obadiah might have come t,o the meek and holy Moses, and said, "Even thou wast as one of them." V. WE OFTEN LOOK WITH FEELINGS OF DISDAIN UPON THE PROUD, And yet there was a time when Obadiah might have said to the good King Hezekiah, "Even thou wast as one of them." • - VJ. WE ARE EVER READY TO ADMIT THE TURPITUDE OF DENYING CHRIST. But see Obadiah standing before Simon Peter, and we catch his awful words," Even thou wast 11B one of them." -- VIL ColITENTION AMONGST BRETHREN IS ANOTHER EVIL WHICH WE DEPRE0ATE. Obadiah might have pointed to Barna.bas, the" son of consolation," and said to him, "Even t"Jwu wast as one of them." VIII. THE SIN OF UNllELIEF IS ANOTHER FEARFUL EVIL. But all the early disciples fell for 11 time into this sin. Obadiah might have said first t,o one, then another, "Evon thou wast as one of them." IX. A lmRMURING SPIRIT IS ANOTHER EVIL WHICH THE CHRISTIAN SHOULD AVOID. St. Paul learned in whatsoever state be was, therewith to be content. The psalmist says his soul was as a weaned child. But we tum t,o the prophet of fire. We find the great Elijah under a juniper tree, murmuring at his lot. " Even thou wast as one of them.• Enough. We see plainly that the Scriptures warn us of the frailty of our nature and the deceitfulness of our hearts. And, if we reflect at all, we must see that repeatedly Christian professors lack consistency. Christian principle and Christian practice should never be at variance. But what is the fact ? How often the Christian in business walks so unworthy of his high calling that our prophet seems to speak to him, "Even thQU, wast as one of them." Or we look into society, and we ~lid in some Cbril!tians so much worldly conformity, that to one after another Obadiah might come, and exclaim, " Even thou wast as one of them." Let me ask those Chris- tiane who spend several afternoons in the week in visiting, and yet scarcely ever drop a word for their Lord and Master-Do you think that Obadiah's expostulation is not for yon : " Even thou wast as one of them " ? Let us learn, therefore, these three lessons. 1. FirBt, to live watchfully. " Let him that tliinketh he standeth take heed lest be fall." Snares and dangers will beset us as long as we are in the world. What some may call only the shadows upon the moun- tains may prove conquering foes (Judg. ix. 36). We all need the restraining grace of Christ. "Hold thou me up in my goings, that my footsteps slip not." 2. Secondly, to be careful about companionship. Edom's unfraternal antagonism was fed by the com- pany he kept, till he was even "as one of them." Those who" mingle with the hea~hen" will not be slow to "learn their works." "Blessed is the man that walketh not m the counsel of the ungodly . . . but hie delight is in the Law of the Lord." 3. Lastly, to walk bolily before God. St. Peter's exhortation should be kept in mind, " Giving all diligence, add to your faitli [faith ie tbe root----e.dd t,o the rootJ heroic, manly courage; anu L•J courage knowledge [self-knowledge, BihlKnowledge, the knowledge of Christi 1-21.] TIIE BOOK OF OBADIAH. 23