Over 100 years ago the Titanic set off on its maiden voyage from England to the United States. This marvel of modern manufacturing was touted as being unsinkable, due to its design and construction. It is rumored that one of the crewmen even went so far as to remark that even God could not sink the Titanic! Of course we all know what happened on the evening of April 14, 1912. The Titanic struck and iceberg and sank in the North Atlantic.

     In the book of Obadiah, we see another group of proud people. The descendants of Esau, the Edomites, are said to trust in their high and lofty position in the cliffs. Obadiah says of them, “You who dwell in the clefts of the rock, Whose habitation is high; You who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’” (Obadiah 3b, NKJV). They thought that they were untouchable, and that no one could ever defeat them. God tells them, “The pride of your heart has deceived you. . . Though you ascend as high as the eagle, And though you set your nest among the stars, From there I will bring you down,” says the Lord” (Obadiah 3a, 4).

     God was eventually going to punish the Edomites for their transgressions in helping the enemy of their brothers. While the Israelites (descendants of Esau’s brother Jacob) were being attacked by the Babylonians, the Edomites just sat by and watched. They even went so far as to give aid and comfort to the enemy (Obadiah 10-11; Amos 1:11).

     Often we also think that we are untouchable, because of the economic and military strength of the country we live in. But, it is God who is in charge. Nations that practice sin and do what is against God’s desires will be brought low. Solomon wrote, “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). The answer for us is to be humble. Seek out God while we can. Do not be a victim of pride. Let us never think too highly of ourselves in the presence of the almighty Lord who is in control of it all.