Obadiah 1:13 is a harsh indictment against the nation of Edom for their behavior towards Judah during a time of great distress. Let's break down what it means:
"Don’t enter into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity." This means Edom should not exploit Judah's weakness by invading or taking advantage of their cities when they were under attack or facing disaster. It's a call for restraint and basic human decency. Instead of offering help or showing compassion, Edom was potentially poised to participate in looting or seizing territory.
"Don’t look down on their affliction in the day of their calamity." This speaks to the lack of empathy or compassion. Edom shouldn't gloat or rejoice over Judah's suffering. "Looking down" suggests a sense of superiority or disdain, finding satisfaction in their neighbor's misfortune.
"Neither seize their wealth on the day of their calamity." This is a direct prohibition against plundering or looting. Edom was warned not to take advantage of Judah's vulnerability by stealing their possessions or resources. It highlights the moral failure of exploiting a nation in its moment of crisis for personal gain.
In summary, the verse condemns Edom for their lack of compassion, their opportunistic behavior, and their willingness to exploit Judah's weakness during a time of calamity. It suggests that instead of helping or showing mercy, they were tempted to take advantage of Judah's misfortune for their own benefit.
Context is Crucial:
To fully understand this verse, it's essential to consider the broader context of the Book of Obadiah. Obadiah prophesies about the judgment of Edom for their pride and, more specifically, for their hostile actions towards Judah during a time of vulnerability, possibly the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem (though the exact historical event is debated). Edom, being related to Judah (descendants of Esau and Jacob, respectively), should have shown kinship and offered assistance. Instead, they acted as enemies.
The verse underscores a profound moral principle: True neighborly behavior involves compassion, support, and restraint, especially during times of hardship. It also highlights the condemnation that comes with exploiting the vulnerable for personal gain.
Obadiah 1:13 is a harsh indictment against the nation of Edom for their behavior towards Judah during a time of great distress. Let's break down what it means:
"Don’t enter into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity." This means Edom should not exploit Judah's weakness by invading or taking advantage of their cities when they were under attack or facing disaster. It's a call for restraint and basic human decency. Instead of offering help or showing compassion, Edom was potentially poised to participate in looting or seizing territory.
"Don’t look down on their affliction in the day of their calamity." This speaks to the lack of empathy or compassion. Edom shouldn't gloat or rejoice over Judah's suffering. "Looking down" suggests a sense of superiority or disdain, finding satisfaction in their neighbor's misfortune.
"Neither seize their wealth on the day of their calamity." This is a direct prohibition against plundering or looting. Edom was warned not to take advantage of Judah's vulnerability by stealing their possessions or resources. It highlights the moral failure of exploiting a nation in its moment of crisis for personal gain.
In summary, the verse condemns Edom for their lack of compassion, their opportunistic behavior, and their willingness to exploit Judah's weakness during a time of calamity. It suggests that instead of helping or showing mercy, they were tempted to take advantage of Judah's misfortune for their own benefit.
Context is Crucial:
To fully understand this verse, it's essential to consider the broader context of the Book of Obadiah. Obadiah prophesies about the judgment of Edom for their pride and, more specifically, for their hostile actions towards Judah during a time of vulnerability, possibly the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem (though the exact historical event is debated). Edom, being related to Judah (descendants of Esau and Jacob, respectively), should have shown kinship and offered assistance. Instead, they acted as enemies.
The verse underscores a profound moral principle: True neighborly behavior involves compassion, support, and restraint, especially during times of hardship. It also highlights the condemnation that comes with exploiting the vulnerable for personal gain.