It was my own fault. I knew better and had been warned. NO HATS INSIDE THE SCHOOL. Our principal had been a Marine drill sergeant, and his voice and physical stature were notoriously intimidating. The rule about hats came about because he had been hired in response to years of unruly behavior and undisciplined learning environments. All rules were now strictly enforced.
So, there I was, a scrawny sophomore getting my hat on at my locker, preparing to go out into the cold January afternoon, believing I could get away with it just this once. Then I heard a loud and commanding voice from clear down the hall: “Take that hat off!”
I stood there in shock, then quickly grabbed the hat off my head and hurried for the door. I was being pursued by a freight train of a man who parted the mass of students like a ship’s bow through water. I felt his hand grab my coat, he pulled me around to see his red-faced fury, and then he proceeded to haul me back to his office.
A written warning and call to my parents resulted. What I faced at home wasn’t condemnation or punishment, however, but an understanding wink and my dad commenting, “I’ll bet you never do that again, right?”
Understanding God’s punishment and restoration in the Bible is crucial for us, as it provides valuable context for the broader story of salvation and redemption. Biblical examples of God’s punishment can help prompt us to reflect on our own lives and choices while fostering a deeper spiritual connection and a greater appreciation for God’s grace.
Obadiah warns that all nations who act like Edom will face God’s justice, and they too will fall from their prideful heights and come to ruin. It is this pride that led the Edomites to not just stand idly by when Babylon came to destroy Jerusalem but to actually participate in the destruction. So, God says through Obadiah that Edom will be brought down from their heights and destroyed.
Obadiah, the smallest Old Testament book, is part of the larger portrait of God’s justice and faithfulness that we find in all the prophets. The pride and betrayal of the people of Edom is an example of the human condition and how people betray and hurt each other and God’s world. But there is hope because Edom’s downfall points to the day when God will deal with the evil in our world and bring his kingdom of peace over all nations.
The good news is we have a savior in Jesus. He will make all things new. His justice will put the world right-side up again. We can trust in his promises and know that his love for us is greater than we know. He is pursuing us and will never stop his restoration plan.
Questions for reflection:
1. When we reflect on our lives and choices, what patterns and habits can bring us closer to God’s loving will? Where might pride or fear get in the way?
2. When we consider God’s grace and love for us, what is our response to injustice?