Pride Produces A False Sense Of Confidence

Intro:

1. Maj. Gen. John Sedgwick was the commander of the 6th Army Corps during the Civil War. On May 9, 1864 he was sitting under a tree, making battle plans. He got up and started walking toward his men, a lone Confederate sniper opened fire – the men scattered for cover.

The Maj. Laughed at his men and boasted, “What men! Dodging for single bullets? I tell you they could not hit an elephant at this distance! This now historical record of the account reads:

Before the smile which accompanied these words had departed from his lips…there was a sharp whistle of a bullet, terminating in a dull, soft sound; and he fell slowly and heavily to the earth.” He was killed instantly!

2. Pride gives us a false sense of confidence, but the Bible warns – Pride goes before destruction and the haughty spirit before the fall. The book of Obadiah uses Edom to illustrate this principle.

3. Pride Produces a False sense of Confidence.

Obadiah 1:1-9 (NKJV)

1 The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the Lord GOD concerning Edom (We have heard a report from the LORD, And a messenger has been sent among the nations, saying, "Arise, and let us rise up against her for battle"):

2 "Behold, I will make you small among the nations; You shall be greatly despised.

3 The pride of your heart has deceived you, 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?'

4 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.

5 "If thieves had come to you, If robbers by night-- Oh, how you will be cut off!-- Would they not have stolen till they had enough? If grape-gatherers had come to you, Would they not have left some gleanings?

6 "Oh, how Esau shall be searched out! How his hidden treasures shall be sought after!

7 All the men in your confederacy Shall force you to the border; The men at peace with you Shall deceive you and prevail against you. Those who eat your bread shall lay a trap for you. No one is aware of it.

8 "Will I not in that day," says the LORD, "Even destroy the wise men from Edom, And understanding from the mountains of Esau?

9 Then your mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, To the end that everyone from the mountains of Esau May be cut off by slaughter.

I. First, the Pride of Edom. 1-9

Obadiah 1:1-9 (MSG)

1 Obadiah's Message to Edom from GOD, the Master. We got the news straight from GOD by a special messenger sent out to the godless nations: "On your feet, prepare for battle; get ready to make war on Edom!

2 "Listen to this, Edom: I'm turning you to a no-account, the runt of the godless nations, despised.

3 You thought you were so great, perched high among the rocks, king of the mountain, Thinking to yourself, 'Nobody can get to me! Nobody can touch me!'

4 Think again. Even if, like an eagle, you hang out on a high cliff-face, Even if you build your nest in the stars, I'll bring you down to earth." GOD's sure Word.

5 "If thieves crept up on you, they'd rob you blind—isn't that so? If they mugged you on the streets at night, they'd pick you clean—isn't that so?

6 Oh, they'll take Esau apart, piece by piece, empty his purse and pockets.

7 All your old partners will drive you to the edge. Your old friends will lie to your face. Your old drinking buddies will stab you in the back. Your world will collapse. You won't know what hit you.

8 So don't be surprised"—it's GOD's sure Word!— "when I wipe out all sages from Edom and rid the Esau mountains of its famous wise men.

9 Your great heroes will desert you, Teman. There'll be nobody left in Esau's mountains.

A. First, the Declaration. 1

1. Who is Involved.

a. Obadiah – one who worships or serves Yahweh.

(1.) An Israelite who was chief in the household of King Ahab (1Ki 18:3). Amid great spiritual degeneracy he maintained his fidelity to God, and interposed to protect The Lord's prophets, an hundred of whom he hid at great personal risk in a cave (1Ki 4, 1Ki 13). Ahab seems to have held Obadiah in great honour, although he had no sympathy with his piety (1Ki 5, 1Ki 6, 1Ki 7). The last notice of him is his bringing back tidings to Ahab that Elijah, whom he had so long sought for, was at hand (1Ki 9-16). "Go," said Elijah to him, when he met him in the way, "go tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here."