Jacob I Loved, but Esau I Hated
Lessons about Grace from Obadiah
As I read the small prophetic book of Obadiah this evening, I was reminded of the verses Paul uses in Romans as a valuable lesson about the grace of God. "Jacob I Loved, but Esau I hated" (Romans 9:13) Obadiah's vision from the Lord seems all too familiar as we consider again the relationship and fortunes of these two brothers...
Obadiah has a vision of God's judgement upon Edom, the descendents of Esau. In verse 10 the reason given for their destruction was their mistreatment of their brother Jacob. In verses 11-14, Edom has gloated over Israel's own destruction as if they themselves were untouchable. As Jerusalem is falling, the Edomites take advantage of the people of God. And so for this pride, Edom must be destroyed.
However the book ends with a great hope, but not for Edom. Infact despite Israel's earlier destruction, they receive mercy, and an inheritance from God. The house of Jacob shall themselves be an instrument of God's judgement on their brothers. "The house of Jacob will be a fire...the house of Esau will be stubble, and they will set it on fire and consume it. There will be no survivors from the house of Esau." (Vs 18).
Neither people deserved God's favour. Both nations were judged, yet in the end God gives hope to Israel. His beloved, His sovereign choice. It was not because Jacob was better than Esau, but because God is God, and His inheritance belongs to whoever He sees fit. As Christians we stand saved in Jesus only by this same kind of Grace. God chose to make us alive, otherwise we would still be "dead in transgressions and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). God has chosen us for "noble purposes" (Romans 9:21), but we could just as easily have been the pots used to carry refuse. Both achieve the same end, The glory of God. This kind of grace is not very popular in churches today. We don't like to think that God is in control of our salvation! Christians if you need a cure for self-righteousness read the book of Obadiah and remember that like Jacob you are loved too.
