Jump Start # 4074
Obadiah 3 “The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in the loftiness of your dwelling place, who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to earth?’”
The little book of Obadiah doesn’t get a lot of attention unless we are doing a study of the Minor Prophets. It stands as one of five books of the Bible that have only one chapter. It is also one of the earliest of the written prophets and unique because it is addressed to the people of Edom. From verse 11-15, the word “day” is used nine times.
But in this tiny, old book we find something that is very much alive today. Obadiah opens this verse with, “The arrogance of your heart has deceived you”. The first step of discipleship is to deny yourself (Lk 9:23). Pride won’t allow that. Pride is interested in self. Pride likes self. And, as the ancient prophet warns, Arrogance deceives.
Consider:
First, pride leads to self-sufficiency. I don’t need anyone. For Edom, dwelling high among the cliffs convinced them that they were untouchable. No one could reach them, they believed. From a distance they would see a coming army and as that army struggled to work its way up the steep rocks, the soldiers of Edom would easily drive them back. No one can reach them, they believed. What they failed to realize is that the Lord could reach them and He would reach them. The Lord prophesied that the untouchable Edom would fall.
The church at Laodicea had a similar problem. They declared that they were in need of nothing. Got it all. Don’t need any help, any suggestions, any one. And, such pride will deny that there is a problem. The church may be sinking like a boat with a hole in it, yet some would proclaim that all is fine.
Pride has been the destruction of many marriages. Rather than seeking help, they pretend all is fine all the way to the courthouse where they will get a divorce. Some churches are just like that. Dwindling attendance. Lifeless classes. Atmosphere of indifference. No one reaches out and seeks for help. Pride prevents that.
Shepherds ought to reach out and get suggestions, ideas and help from others. Preachers need to learn from others. There is no shame in saying, “Can you help us?”
Second, pride leads to neglect and indifference. You see that in the way some take care of their homes, their farms, their cars and their health. Oh, they’d admit that they need to fix the barn someday, but they never do. One day, the barn caves in and falls. Why didn’t the farmer fix it? Too busy? Just didn’t want to? Wonderful layers that cover up the real issue, pride.
Pride will keep one from admitting wrong and confessing his sin. Like that farmer, that person will find colorful ways to cover up the pride. And, his excuses will hurt his family, his walk with the Lord and his faithfulness. Just come clean, is what others would see and say. But, his pride won’t allow that. He’ll jump all around his sin, pointing fingers at others but never truly seeking the forgiveness in Christ. His pride is killing him and he never realizes it.
Third, there is only one key answer to all of this and that is humility. Admit you need help. Admit you messed up. Admit you don’t know what to do or where to turn to. Pride will keep us from Heaven. Humble yourself by realizing you are not different or better than others. Humble yourself by confessing that you need the Lord. Humble yourself by listening to others who want to help you. Talk less and listen more. Humble yourself by emptying your heart of you and filling it back up with the Lord. Our hope is in the Lord. Our future is in the Lord. We want what the Lord wants.
Edom walked with a mirror in front of them. Many do the same today. Edom fell and many will fall when the judgment takes place.
The arrogance of your heart has deceived you. It is the truth of God’s word that will guide our steps and our hearts towards the Lord.
Roger