Obadiah 1:5-9
They Will Search You Out
Read the passage
5“If thieves came to you, if robbers by night—oh, how you will be ruined—would they not steal only what they wanted? If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave some gleanings?
6But how Esau will be pillaged, his hidden treasures sought out!
7All the men allied with you will drive you to the border; the men at peace with you will deceive and overpower you. Those who eat your bread will set a trap for you without your awareness of it.
8In that day, declares the LORD, will I not destroy the wise men of Edom and the men of understanding in the mountains of Esau?
9Then your mighty men, O Teman, will be terrified, so that everyone in the mountains of Esau will be cut down in the slaughter.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Obadiah compares Edom’s coming loss with thieves and grape gatherers. Thieves take what they want; gatherers leave some grapes behind. Edom’s hidden treasures, however, will be searched out and plundered.
The people Edom counted as allies will drive it to the border. Those at peace with it will deceive and overpower it. Even people who share its bread will set a trap it does not recognize.
The LORD says He will destroy Edom’s wise men and men of understanding. The mighty men of Teman will be terrified, and the people in Esau’s mountains will be cut down. Treasures, alliances, wisdom, and military strength will all fail to preserve the nation from this judgment.
Questions
1 How are Edom's losses compared with an ordinary robbery or harvest?
AnswerThieves would take only what they wanted, and grape gatherers would leave some gleanings. Edom will be pillaged more completely than either comparison suggests.
2 Who will turn against Edom?
AnswerIts allies and the men at peace with it. Even people who eat Edom's bread will set a trap without Edom knowing.
3 What happens to Edom's wise men and mighty men?
AnswerThe wise men and men of understanding will be destroyed, and the mighty men of Teman will be terrified.
4 What strength are we tempted to trust as if it could save us from anything?
AnswerList it without pretending it is worthless. Then ask whether we have made it carry a promise it was never able to keep.
What This Means for Us
Edom expects support from allies who will turn against it. Relationships with influential people cannot promise the safety Edom wants.
Value friends for who they are, and be faithful to them even when they cannot help you get ahead. In a decision involving right and wrong, seek God’s direction instead of asking which connection will protect you from the consequences.
Prayer
Lord, keep us grateful for wisdom, courage, and friendship without making any of them our refuge. Bring honest people near us, and give us humility to listen when they tell us the truth. Amen.