Honor and Justice
In Vayishalch (Genesis 32:4-36:43), Jacob reunites with his brother Esau. Dina is violated, and her brothers avenge her dishonor. These are stories of seeking peace and finding war and violence, contention, and the resolution of conflict. For this reason, the passage from the prophets that is read alongside these is a prophecy against Edom. It’s a harsh oracle in which the prophet spells Edom’s doom. Edom was Esau, Jacob’s twin brother. Yet when Babylon attacked, the relatives did not come to Israel’s aid. Not only did they not help, but they also joined the Babylonians in raiding what was left behind. Besides not helping, they struck down those fleeing, killing those who looked for safety from their enemy. Extreme case of family dishonor. So their judgment was harsh. That is what the entire book of Obadiah is about.
In chapter 1, verse 15, Ovadya announced to Edom that the day of the LORD is near. Ka’asher asita yeaseh lekha (כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ יֵעָשֶׂה לָּךְ)- “as you did, it will be done to you.” Gemulkha yashuv beroshekha (גְּמֻלְךָ יָשׁוּב בְּרֹאשֶׁךָ) – “what you accomplished will be on your head.”
Sometimes people naively imagine the Day of the LORD that the prophets talk about to be one single day when the wicked are punished and judged. But here we get a sense that for Edom, that day will come not at some point in the distant future when God settles all scores, but on their own timeline. The Babylonians attacked Edom first in the 5th century BCE. Then the Nabateans from the Arabian Peninsula took over their settlements in the 4th century BCE and, by sheer numbers, without war, destroyed the Edomite people from within in a few generations. Whoever was left, John Hyrcanus, the son of Simon, one of the original Maccabee brothers, conquered in 125 BCE. He forced circumcision on them, making them subjects of Israel. By the first century CE, there were no Edomites anymore. And the last famous one was Antipater, Herod’s father. The prophecy came true.
In verse 16, Obadiah says to Edom, “As you drank on My holy mountain, all the nations will always drink. They will drink and swallow, and it will be as if they never existed” – Vehaiyu kelo haiyu (וְהָיוּ כְּלוֹא הָיוּ), literally as if you never were. So Edomites are gone, why do we need the words of Obadiah? So that you and I can see who our God is, and comprehend that his justice is very real. Let me offer some personal lessons you can take away from this message.
Avoid Becoming Drunk with Power. Did you hear the words the prophet spoke to Edom about drinking? “As you drank on my holy mountain, others will drink…” Hashem is not talking about actual wine or physical drinking in these verses at all. It’s a metaphor. He is talking to the nations about taking selfish advantage of Israel’s calamity and weakness. Drinking in this scenario is deriving benefit, indulging, exploiting, and using up the good things the Land of Israel has to offer. Because Babylon devastated Israel, the Edomites could now come and do as they pleased, easily plunder unchallenged, and abuse anyone without restraint. Esau came with 400 warriors to greet Jacob on his way back to Canaan, and Jacob panicked, genuinely fearing for his family’s lives, not knowing what to expect. Power, unchallenged power, can make people drunk and delirious. When someone feels they have the upper hand, that they are in control, they are putting themselves in a precarious position with God. Because the Almighty can see us and any injustice, any excess we extend to the people who are not in a position to stop us, who are weak and cannot oppose us. Avoid such temptations of power in your life.
Deal Honorably with Your Kin. I know that family can be some of the most annoying, hard-to-deal-with people. But they are family. If you have excellent relationships with your kin, thank the Maker and bless his name because it is so much easier to extend kindness and show honor to those who treat you nicely in return. No, you don’t have the option to be mean and nasty, not if you say you worship the God of Israel, not if you follow Rabbi Yeshua. These verses state the famous golden rule, long before Rabbi Yeshua, long before Hilliel, the Elder, “as you did will be done to you,” a reality that is even more so when applied to family. That is why no one claims descent from Esau anymore, and there are no such people or country. Yeshua instructed us to always side with mercy, kindness, and forgiveness, because justice eventually comes to those who deserve it. It’s just that we humans are not the best vessels of justice, or even fairness. So do not judge, whatever measure you use will be used with you… I am just reiterating our Rabbi’s words. Deal honorably with everyone, especially your kin.