YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE

Today's reading: Obadiah

"You shouldn't have done this! You shouldn't have gloated when they exiled your relatives to distant lands. You shouldn't have rejoiced because they were suffering such misfortune. You shouldn't have crowed over them as they suffered these disasters. You shouldn't have plundered the land of Israel when they were suffering such calamity. You shouldn't have gloated over the destruction of your relatives, looting their home and making yourselves rich at their expense. You shouldn't have stood at the crossroads killing those who tried to escape. You shouldn't have captured the survivors, handing them over to their enemies in that terrible time of trouble." Obadiah 12-14 NLT

The nation of Edom was in big trouble!

They were distant relatives of the Israelites. They were neighbors to the south of God's land and God's people. They were proud, vain and self-assured people. And they mistreated the nation of Israel.

That didn't set well with the Lord.

You see, one doesn't mistreat His children.

Then or now.

Edom is not only thousands of miles away, and their poor choices happened decades ago. But can't we learn something from them?

Be aware of how you treat others today. Those within the family of God, but also those who are not--yet.

You see, we have all been made in the image of God. We have all been beautifully created by His hands. We all, they all, deserve to be treated as such.