Don’t Gloat Over Others’ Misfortunes

Obadiah 1:10-14

10 “Because of the violence you did
to your close relatives in Israel,
you will be filled with shame
and destroyed forever.
11 When they were invaded,
you stood aloof, refusing to help them.
Foreign invaders carried off their wealth
and cast lots to divide up Jerusalem,
but you acted like one of Israel’s enemies.
12 “You should not have gloated
when they exiled your relatives to distant lands.
You should not have rejoiced
when the people of Judah suffered such misfortune.
You should not have spoken arrogantly
in that terrible time of trouble.
13 You should not have plundered the land of Israel
when they were suffering such calamity.
You should not have gloated over their destruction
when they were suffering such calamity.
You should not have seized their wealth
when they were suffering such calamity.
14 You should not have stood at the crossroads,
killing those who tried to escape.
You should not have captured the survivors
and handed them over in their terrible time of trouble.

These verses go so well with Proverbs 24:17-18a. In these verses the people of Edom had not really offered to help the children of Israel when they were being attacked by their enemies. In fact, the people of Edom thought that since their city was well protected then they wouldn't need to go and help. They were comfortable in their own "security" that they thought they had. They boasted about the trouble being someone else's and not theirs. This seems like the same arguments people use when they say we should not be involved in helping other countries, like Iraq, to get rid of those who persecute and take advantage of them. This is the same philosophy that allowed Adolf Hitler to become so powerful. Our beloved leader, Franklin Roosevelt, wanted the Europeans to take care of themselves and he did not want to get involved. Look how that turned out.

When God has chosen you to be set apart from others in the world you have a greater responsibility to those people. There is no other country in this world that gives more money to other countries, no one sends more missionary teams out, no one gives more aid to those who are hurting around the world than we do. That is what God has set this nation apart to do.

Father I thank You today that I will not rejoice when my enemies fall or be happy when they stumble. I will not stand by and watch them fall into dispair when I can help them. Everything I have is available to You to use as You see fit. Guide me and direct me in the way that I should use those resources for Your plans here on earth. May You will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)

The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you; The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).

Published by Erik L. Vakula
Daily Bread From the Word
Copyright © 2009 Erik Vakula, All Rights Reserved