Mighty Have Fallen

The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, “Who will bring me down to the ground?” ¹

That image look familiar? Yes, that is Al-Khazneh (The Treasury) at Petra, Jordan but you most likely know the image from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Impressive isn’t it!

This year my personal devotional reading began with the first of the minor prophets, Obadiah and the entire book (one chapter) is about the civilization which once lived in this stone fortress region. The prophecy was written about the result of Edom’s celebration of the violence befalling Judah and how their arrogance was a false pride in their own fortress strength.

The tone of Obadiah is that those who thought themselves safe in their supposed security were simply unaware of the judgment they would face in the not-too-distant future.

For as impressive as the remains of Petra are, as grand the appearance, as impenetrable as the location, as defensible it was perceived, as permanent as anything carved out of solid stone, Petra fell, the kingdom of Esau’s descendants is no more. It is only a tourist site where folks marvel at what once was and is no more. Because they had no mercy for their kinsmen (Esau was the twin brother of Jacob, sons of Isaac, son of Abraham), God declared,

Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever. On the day that you stood aloof, on the day that strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them. ² 

God seems to not appreciate Edom’s happiness at the calamity befalling Judah. Yes, Judah had God’s judgment coming for ignoring Him but that wasn’t license for Edom’s joy. There just might be a lesson in this for all of us who identify as God’s people.

For the day of the LORD is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head. ³