Text: Obadiah 10-14
Memory Verse: “In the day that you stood on the other side—In the day that strangers carried captive his forces, When foreigners entered his gates And cast lots for Jerusalem—Even you were as one of them.’But you should not have gazed on the day of your brother In the day of his captivity; Nor should you have rejoiced over the children of Judah In the day of their destruction; Nor should you have spoken proudly In the day of distress’” (Obadiah 11&12).
Esau, also known as Edom, the older son of Isaac and Rebecca, sold his Ebirth right as the older son for a morsel of red pottage to his brother, Jacob. Thereafter, he hated and was jealous of his brother, causing more rift in the family. His descendants, the Edomites, remained opposed to the Israelites, the descendants of Jacob. They stood by and watched while enemies looted and oppressed Israel (Numbers 20:14-21). Though they may not have raised their hands against their ‘cousins’, God adjudged them guilty and punished them for being indifferent to their plight.
Indifference, inaction, ignoring others or ‘minding your own business’ when you should not, is a sin to God. All who went past the man who was attacked by thieves in Luke 10:30-37 without helping him, but minded their business were chastised. They had been indifferent to the plight of a man in need, though their excuses may have appeared noble. If your brother is in need and you do nothing, then you are being indifferent (James 4:17; 1 John 3:17).
The only thing necessary for evil to thrive is for good people to keep quiet and do nothing. Why are you standing by when lost men and women are looking for solutions to life’s challenges in the wrong places? Why are you not tellingthem about Jesus, heaven and hell? Indifference, even in the things of God, is sin.
You must leave Edom and make a difference.
Prayer Points:
1. Lord, please forgive me for the times I have been indifferent to the plights
of others.
2. Lord, teach me what to do and say to the people you bring my way.