Carl Pollard
In Genesis, we’re introduced to two brothers, Jacob and Esau. Their relationship was filled with jealousy, deception, and anger. Esau even threatened to kill Jacob. Yet years later, the brothers reunited, embraced, and wept together (Genesis 33:4).
Centuries passed. Jacob’s descendants became Israel, and Esau’s descendants became Edom. When Jerusalem was invaded and its people were suffering, Edom had an opportunity to help. Instead, they stood by and watched.
In Obadiah 11, God condemned Edom, saying, “On the day that you stood aloof… you were like one of them.” God placed Edom alongside the enemies who attacked Jerusalem! Their guilt began with their refusal to help.
The Sin of Indifference
Jesus told a similar story in Luke 10. A man was beaten, robbed, and left half dead. A priest saw him and passed by. A Levite did the same. Then a Samaritan stopped, showed compassion, and cared for his wounds. All three saw the same suffering. Only one responded. How often do we recognize someone struggling and assume somebody else will help? James 4:17 says, “Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”
The Sin of Rejoicing
Obadiah 12 reveals that Edom actually rejoiced over Judah’s destruction. It’s disturbing how easily we can find satisfaction in another person’s failure. Someone’s marriage falls apart. Someone makes a terrible mistake. Someone who mistreated us experiences hardship. And somewhere in our hearts, we think they finally got what they deserved. In Proverbs 24:17 Solomon says, “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls.” The way we respond to another person’s suffering reveals something about our hearts.
The Sin of Exploitation
In Obadiah 13–14, Edom went even further. They plundered Judah and intercepted people fleeing for their lives. The people who should have offered refuge became another source of suffering. Galatians 6:1 teaches us to restore those caught in sin with gentleness. When someone is already hurting, our responsibility is to help them recover.
Is there someone you’ve been meaning to call? Someone struggling spiritually? Someone carrying a burden you could help lighten? We can’t solve every problem, but we can respond to the needs within our reach.
Edom stood aloof. The priest and Levite passed by. The Samaritan stopped. When someone needs you, which one will you be?
