The Deep End

The descendants of Jacob were chosen by God to be the people through whom He would bless the entire world. The descendants of Jacob’s twin, Esau, are anther story. They became the Edomites. Since they shared a common ancestor, God had commanded the Edomites to treat the Hebrews as “brothers,” and to be sympathetic toward them in times of trouble. (Numbers 20:14-17).

Apparently the Edomites did not take this command seriously, because, centuries later, when the Chaldeans were invading and slaughtering Jacob’s descendants in Jerusalem, the Edomites stood by and rejoiced.

But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress.

Obadiah v. 11

And that’s not all! As some of the Hebrews were trying to flee, some of the Edomites stood at the crossroads areas (what the Bible calls “the crossways”), and blocked their escape while the pursuing heathen hordes caught up to them.

Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress.

Obadiah v. 14

It is a shame to hear of such treachery. However, at the same time, could there be a more applicable reminder for those of us, in our day and time, who stand by as unbelievers come to the “crossroads of faith?”

As men and women fall under the convicting power of the Holy Ghost and realize their sinful condition, they sometimes see the need to flee from God’s wrath. When we as Christians stand at the crossroads of decision, do we snatch desperate sinners out of the wrong path, and help to usher them toward Jesus Christ? Or, are we like the Edomites, who lurk in hiding, waiting to spring out, trip them up, and hold them down until the enemy arrives to capture or slaughter them?

The Lamb of God was nailed to a wooden cross on ancient Golgotha. That instrument of torture – which He turned into the ultimate symbol of love – is a place of crisis for those who have not yet believed. Let us not be like the Edomites of old. Let us help the hurting and the hunted and the helpless to see that the “Crossway” is the only way to eternal life.