The Misfortunes of Others

Home-run hero, Josh Hamilton, was up to bat and the Rangers needed a hit. Hamilton waited for just the right pitch, took his swing, and hit a grounder to left field.  Everyone knows when you get a base hit, you are to run to first base. Josh tried to make that first step and it looked as though his ankle turned slightly, and instead of running to first, he fell to the ground at home plate. He was fortunate enough to get to his feet and make it to first base without being thrown out. 

What happens when someone takes a fall like that, and we see it? Our first inclination would be to laugh at the person on the ground.  What about other mistakes people make?  When things go wrong, is it always a laughable situation? I must say I have been guilty of such laughter, and sometimes with a streak of meanness, think that laughter should be accompanied with ridicule. 

In the Old Testament book of Obadiah, the scene is set for us by the offenses and mistakes of Judah. The people had abandoned God and now the army of Babylon was closing in to capture them and their land;  a result of God's judgment for their sins. 

To the south of Judah was Edom, and the Edomites (who had never gotten along with Judah), were celebrating the troubles of Judah. The Edomites became a source of encouragement for Babylon, and even assisted in turning some of the Judeans over to their enemies. It was as though their very neighbors were reveling in the fall of Jerusalem and in the troubles of Judah. 

When all of that was over, the Edomites found themselves resting securely in a fortress of rock, high in the mountains. Surely no one could ever attack and defeat them up there.  But God knew just the opposite was true. God vowed to bring them down.

The short book of Obadiah tells of his dealings with Edom and the punishment which lies before them. The book ends with Edom being destroyed, and Israel being restored. This is such a difficult story to understand. How could a neighbor start acting like an enemy? Look at what God said to them.

"You should not look down on your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble."  v.12

Even in today's world, we see too much celebrating over the misfortune of others. We live in a "kick them while they are down" society.  It is no wonder that God stepped in and made right all the wrongs toward his people.  Is it any wonder that Jesus wanted us to see, the greatest commandment is, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39.

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