Truth Magazine

By Glenn L. Shaver

In Matthew 13:13-15, Jesus informs us why He spoke to the multitudes in parables: “Because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, ‘By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: Eor this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”‘ Thus, we see, as it was in the days of Isaiah, so also it was in the times of Christ and we are persuaded that it is true today.

Some comments from eminent scholars may be helpful in understanding the condition of the people’s heart in the days of Isaiah and Christ and thus, by analogy, we may learn why the people’s hearts of our own time have “waxed gross.”

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown in the COMMENTARY ON THE WHOLE BIBLE, commenting on the above passage said: “They ‘saw,’ for the light shone on them as never light shone before; but they ‘saw not,’ for they closed their eyes. They ‘heard,’ for He taught them who ‘spake as never man spake;’ but they ‘heard not,’ for they took nothing in, apprehending not the soul-penetrating, life-giving words addressed to them.”

S. T. Bloomfield, in the GREEK TESTAMENT with English Notes, Volume I, states: “. . . the hearts of the men were so hardened by a long course of willful and presumptuous sin, that, according to the regular operation of moral cause and effects, they, though seeing, in fact, did not see; and though hearing, yet, in fact, did not hear, nor hearken, and consequently could not understand.”

J. W. McGarvey, in THE NEW TESTAMENT COMMENTARY, Volume 1, said: “As Isaiah had written concerning his own generation (Isa. 6:9,10), this people’s heart had ‘waxed gross;’ that is, it has become filled with earthly and sensual desires, and especially so with reference to the expected kingdom of the Messiah. This state of heart made their ears dull of hearing; that is, it made them indisposed to hear with favor the words of Jesus. It led them also to close their eyes; that is, to refuse to see the evidences of his messiahship and his divinity.”

H. Leo Boles, in A COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW said: “…. their hearts had become fat, as applied to the body; sensual and stupid as applied to the mind; they were like a man overcome with obesity, too heavy and dull to hear or see, sleepy and brutish. The spiritual spark is buried in a heap of earthly cares and pleasures.” (Deut. 32:15) He continues his comments on the passage by saying, “These people had hardened their own hearts, had closed their own eyes, had refused to exercise their own powers of understanding, because they did not want to know the truth. The responsibility rested upon them for their present condition; they could not blame the law, God, or any one else; they were wholly responsible. It is the law of God’s spiritual kingdom that resistance to truth hardens the heart. To reject the truth and excuse and defend themselves in opposition to it, they armed themselves with countless errors and falsehoods.” (Ibid.)

Dr. Bloomfield said: ” . . . the Jews would hear indeed the doctrines of the Gospel, but not understand them; would see the miracles wrought in confirmation of its truth, but not be convinced thereby. Not that the evidences themselves were insufficient to establish its truth, but because their hearts were too corrupt to allow them to see the force of those evidences.” (Ibid.)

Adam Clarke, in A COMMENTARY AND CRITICAL NOTES ON THE NEW TESTAMENT, Volume I, states: ” . . . these words were fulfilled in the Jews, in the time of the Prophet Isaiah, so they are now again fulfilled in these their posterity, -who exactly copy their father’s example. These awful words may be again fulfilled in us, if we take not warning by the things which these disobedient people have suffered.”

Hence, from the above comments we gather the following reasons why the people’s heart had waxed gross:

1. They had continued a long course of willful and presumptuous sin.

2. Their hearts were filled with earthly cares and pleasures and sensual desires.

3. They were indisposed to hear with favor the words of Jesus.

4. Their hearts had become too corrupt to allow them to see the force of the evidences.

They did not want to know the truth; hence, they armed themselves with countless errors and falsehoods.

Now since Isaiah described the awful condition of the people’s heart in his day; Jesus applied the lesson to the people of His time who refused to accept His teaching, and Paul made a similar application to the people in Rome who refused to believe the evidences (Acts 28: 25-27), hence, let us apply this inspired teaching to the people of our time. For example:

1. Have not many people of our day continued a long course of wilful and presumptuous sin?2. Are not many people’s hearts filled with earthly cares and pleasures and sensual desires?

3. Does not the rejection of Christ’s words show that many are indisposed to hear with favor the words of Jesus?

4. Have not the hearts of many become too corrupt to allow them to see the force of the evidences of truth?

5. Is it not true that people who do not love the truth nor seek to know it, arm themselves with countless errors and falsehoods, thus, their hearts are waxed gross?

Now, let us apply the “fruit test” (Matt. 7:14-20), that we may see the attitudes and dispositions of the people’s heart of our own day and see if it isn’t because the heart of man has “waxed gross.”

First, let us explore this among denominational churches. Have we not heard many express themselves after this manner? —

1. It must be right because it has been practiced so long by so many.

2. Others are doing it and it seems so good, so we can do it too.

3. I don’t care what the Bible teaches, I’m satisfied and feel I’m doing right.

4. I don’t care if the Bible does say that, I don’t believe it is essential.5. Don’t read the Bible to me, my parents believed this way and besides we have many educated ministers that believe as I do.

Thus, among denominationalism we see a sectarian prejudicial attitude of heart and a closed mind, which shows that their heart is “waxed gross.” Hence, they use countless errors and falsehoods to pervert, change and twist the truth to salve their own consciences.

Secondly, let us see if this same attitude and condition of heart is to be found among us–members of Christ’s church. Do we not hear many among us today express their mind after this fashion? —

1. We have been doing this for a long time, hence, we are going to keep on doing it.

2. We are going to do this because the people want to and the elders have approved it.

3. The “big preachers” among us believe it is right, hence, we can do it.4. Examples are not binding–there is no set pattern–hence, we can do as we wish.

a. The examples of the churches relieving the needy are not binding on us today, for the church is not its own home and elders of the church cannot oversee a home, hence, we must have Benevolent, Charitable Institutions or Organizations to build a home (house) to provide care–relieve the needy.

b. The church is its own Missionary Society to preach the word, but the Missionary Societies controlled the churches, hence, they were wrong, but we can voluntarily pool our funds under one local eldership–Sponsoring Church Plan–and it will be scriptural.

c. The church is to edify itself, but the schools, colleges and camps are teaching our young people the Bible, hence, it is scriptural to support them in this good work.

5. Thus, many among us pervert, change, and tw st the scriptures to justify their practices–refuse to hear what the truth teaches– and arm themselves with countless errors and falsehoods.

Reader, can you not see the same disposition of mind and condition of heart among brethren today that is found in denominationalism and which was also found in the days of Jesus and Isaiah? Indeed the hearts of many have “waxed gross.” They have closed their eyes so that they cannot see; they have stopped their ears so that they cannot hear; and their hearts have “waxed gross” so- that they cannot understand. In the present controversies we see many who have closed their eyes, stopped their ears, and refuse to understand with their hearts. It seems that pride and prejudice have taken the place of reason and understanding in the hearts of many. Thus, they allow pride and prejudice to rob them of the truth. They reject the truth (established by precept, example and necessary inference), and seek to justify themselves by trying to defend their man-made doctrine with countless errors and falsehoods. What a pitiable condition it is, when people “see,” but “see not,” “hear,” but “hear not,” and cannot understand with their heart.

My sincere desire is that all may love the truth, obey it from the heart, and walk in the truth, so that we can enjoy the wonderful assurance of the words of the Lord Jesus to His disciples, “Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.” (Mt. 13: 16)

Truth Magazine VI: 6, pp. 14-16
March 1962

By Ray Ferris

Recently several questions were submitted that they might be answered from the pulpit here in Kenosha. In the article which preceded this one we noted the bases upon which we can learn from the scriptures, the questions t h a t were asked, and answered two of the questions. The following material concludes the answering of the questions, along with some concluding observations of a practical nature now. You are urged to review the preceding article before continuing with this one.

VI. Who shall do the work of the church –the church or some man-made institution?A. We must recognize the church as a divinely created organism that is as perfect as an infinitely wise and powerful God could make it.

B. We must realize the church is sufficient to do everything God intended for the church to do. Otherwise the church must become subservient to an earthly, man-made plan to accomplish its task.C. The church must operate in all things according to the pattern set forth in God’s word.

D. This pattern sets forth clearly the principle that the church was sufficient to do, and did, everything God required of it in apostolic days. It was able to evangelize the world and care for its own needy without establishing any separate organization through which to function, and without supporting such organization after its establishment. To do so now is to evidence lack of faith in the pattern set forth in the Bible. Note: the buying of services from corporations such as the gas and electric company, hotel, etc. are not parallel to making contributions to build and operate these companies. To buy services from a hospital, orphan’s home or missionary society (purchase of Bibles) is not parallel to making contributions to build and maintain these corporations.

E. Often the issue is beclouded by someone saying the Bible does not say how to do some of the things that the church is to do, and that we are thus left free to determine the how. All of the present controversy over such matters is not over the HOW, but is rather a question of WHO shall do the church’s work? Shall the church control and do it, or shall it just supply funds for some other organizations?

VI. To whom can the church make contributions?

A. The answer to this question must likewise come from the pages of God’s word. When the pattern is examined we find the church making contributions in only two senses.

1. When individuals in the church in Jerusalem were in need, shortly after the church was established, the church helped those needy saints. Note again such passages as Acts 2:44-46; 4:32-37; 5:1-11 and 6:1-8. Thus the church is authorized to provide the necessities of life for individuals who are saints. This is in a very real sense a contribution, but it must be understood that the church was “over this business” (Acts 6:3), and that when the need no longer existed in any individual’s life the “contribution” would very logically cease. This was not a matter of contributing to private homes for them to continue to assume responsibilities they could not meet.2. The saints in a particular place might logically become destitute to the point of being unable to provide for themselves as a collective group. There are two different occasions pictured for us in the word when this happened.

a. In Acts 11:27-30 the whole land of Judea was involved. The brethren in Antioch resolved to help in this situation, and did, sending contributions by the hands of Barnabas and Saul unto the elders in Judea. (Note that the relief was sent to the elders where the help was needed — in Judea. There is no basis for the claim that all help was sent to Jerusalem’s elders and that they distributed it throughout the land of Judea.)

b. A number of years later–probably about eight or ten years later according to most historians–another famine arose that was limited to Jerusalem. Help for this famine (for needy saints) was sent by a number of different churches–Read again 1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8:1–9:15; and Romans 15:25-33. The last passage indicates that the money was delivered to the church in Jerusalem.

c. Sometimes the dodge is used in these controversies that the churches make contributions to the preacher’s home, but that some preachers who thus receive contributions refuse to consider that the church can contribute to orphans homes. Or the argument will run like this: “Why can the church support a preacher’s home and not support an orphan’s home?” There is a deceitful change of meaning in the word support in this question. Churches pay wages to a preacher–(2 Cor. 11:8). They do not support his home in the sense of making contributions to it–at least they ought not to do so. If he quits preaching his wages ought to stop. That which the gospel preacher receives so that he may provide the necessities of life for himself and his family is not a matter of charity. Note also: the objection is not to the church providing a place to live for any person for whom it is responsible; the objection is to the church making contributions to a board of directors who then determine who shall be helped, where they shall be helped, when they shall be helped, how they shall be helped, etc. As already mentioned, the question that causes the controversy is not how the job shall be done, but rather who shall do the job. All but those who do not want to see can also distinguish the difference between the church owning a house, which it provides as a part of the support (wages) for its preacher, and the giving of funds to a board of directors to spend and control in doing any work for which the church may be responsible.

B. The conclusion is inevitable. The pattern of the scriptures is very simple. The church may help Christians who are in need (contribute what is necessary to provide those needs), and the church may contribute to another church that is in need. There is no authority for the church to make contributions to any organization other than another needy church.

VII. Can one church perform its work through another church in such arrangements as the Herald of Truth, the “Lubbock plan of mission work,” Orphan Homes under the “sponsorship” of an eldership, etc.?A. Again our answer must come from the pattern set forth in the scriptures.

B. Some preliminary observations.

1. All churches are equally responsible for preaching the gospel to the whole world–to the extent of their ability they are responsible, and to no greater extent.

2. All churches are equally responsible for helping the world’s needy–they are responsible for helping their own needy saints to the extent of their ability, and may be helped by other churches to help their own needy saints if they cannot help themselves. They may in turn help a church in another place if that church cannot supply the help necessary for its own members. In every instance where help is needed in another place all churches sustain equal responsibility to the church where the help is needed–to the extent of their ability and no farther.

3. All of the arrangements noted in this question are efforts to make one church primarily responsible for a work that is far beyond its ability. These works are assumed. Any church and every church have as much responsibility to preach the gospel over radio and TV to the world, as does Highland in Abilene. Any church and every church have as much responsibility to send evangelists into the field to preach, as does Broadway in Lubbock. Any church and every church has as much responsibility to care for needy people of the world as does Cleveland Avenue in Wichita, and we have noted that the responsibility is only to saints from the church treasury. Every church could thus assume the identical works these churches have assumed and make the identical plea for help they make! These churches beg and receive money from hundreds and hundreds of other churches and then engage in a dollar swapping campaign among themselves. Highland sends money to Broadway and Broadway turns around and sends it right back, etc.

4. These are all plans that concentrate and centralize control and money in the hands of one eldership.

C. The pattern of the scripture is very simple.

1. The church sent directly to the work that was being accomplished in every instance, and not through some other church.

a. Help was sent to the preacher as he labored from place to place in preaching the word.

(1). Philippians 4:15-16.

(2). 2 Corinthians 11:8.

b. Help was sent to the church (elders) where the need existed when one church provided help for another church to care for its needy.

(1). Acts 11:27-30.

(2). 1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8:1 9:15; and Rom. 15:25-33.

2. The church never sent to another church, which “sponsored” a much greater work than they could do, and thus received funds from other churches that operated through the “sponsoring” church. The pattern is for one church to send to all places where it desires to help. The pattern is for all churches to send directly to the church that is in need of assistance. It was Antioch to the elders in Judea. The churches of Galatia, Macedonia, and Achaia (including Corinth) sent to the church in Jerusalem where help was needed. Churches sent directly to Paul in the field. Read again the passages immediately above.

3. There was never any plan of centralized control whereby one church collected funds from many churches to send on to another church or to an evangelist in the field–the “Lubbock plan.” There was never any plan whereby a church assumed responsibility for some great work of preaching the gospel to a whole nation, province, etc., which was impossible without the help of many other churches, and thus required the collection of funds from other churches in order to do this work all under the centralized control and oversight of one church–The Herald of Truth. There was never any plan of collecting the needy people of the world (or the churches) into one place under the oversight of an eldership and then pleading for many churches to send funds so this one group of elders could do the work of many churches for them –Orphans home under Cleveland Avenue elders.

D. If many churches can do some of their work through another church why can they not do all of their work through another church? If many churches can do some of their work through another church why cannot all churches do some of their work through one church? If all churches could do some of their work through one church why could not all churches do all of their work through one church? What passage or principle would limit this if we open the door a crack to permit part of it? Would it be right for all churches to do all radio and TV preaching through Highland in Abilene? Would it be right for all churches to do all “mission work” through Broadway in Lubbock? Would it be right for all churches to help the needy through the Cleveland Avenue church in Wichita? Could we do all of these different things through just one of these churches? Which one?

E. Conclusion — These arrangements are not only not according to the scriptures; they are not even sensible and reasonable when one really examines them.

VIII. These controversial arrangements are productive of much strife and division.

A. In the southern part of the nation sharp lines of fellowship have been, and are being, drawn over these arrangements. The situation is very much parallel to the controversy over the mechanical instruments of music in the worship and the missionary societies of prior generations. Where these arrangements are presented and advocated division and strife are almost sure to follow. The one who is conscientiously opposed to them is not able to work in such plans, and if they are insisted upon, will be forced out of the fellowship of those who practice them.

B. The state of Wisconsin was once relatively free from any real problem concerning these issues. That is no longer true. It is being made a test of fellowship now in this state, and to an ever-increasing degree as time goes by.

C. This writer has never met a man who was willing to affirm that these things must be practiced by a church in order for it to be everything the Lord would require of that church. It is rather insisted that these things are expediencies and privileges that we have. (It ought to be obvious that we have no expediencies and privileges in any religious matter until there is first authority established for them.) Let us suppose they were expediencies–thus in the realm of judgment. Are they worth dividing the Lord’s church for them? Many, many of my brethren will spend eternity in hell because of hatred, bitterness, and animosity toward other brethren, and much of this has been caused because of the bitter strife about these so-called expediencies. It is my firm conviction that the Bible teaches that any man who would deliberately sever the unity of the body of Christ over that which is to him a matter of expediency or judgment will never stand in the presence of God in eternity. Read carefully Rom. 14:1-23 and 1 Cor. 8:1-13. The one who bids Godspeed to such practices and teaching is partaker with the evil (2 John 9-11). Insistence upon promoting, that which is manifestly not necessary, and which causes division and strife is assuredly not the Spirit of Christ operating within us. “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his”. (Romans 8:9 )

IX. In conclusion we express an earnest and fervent prayer that brethren may yet be made to realize the horror that is being wrought daily in the church because of these controversies, and thus give them up before it is entirely too late. If this is not the will of God we pray for strength and courage; for a firm stand for that which is right and cannot be wrong. May we ever realize that “the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy auld good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”

Truth Magazine VI: 6, pp.10-13
March 1962

By Leslie Diestelkamp

Since my return from Africa a few months ago, and in view of the fact that I am now engaged altogether in meeting work which takes me to various parts of this country, many people often ask: “What changes do you see in the condition of the church and what is your view of present conditions?” My answer is that I see much cause to rejoice. However, in view of the division that seems to be spreading, and also in consideration of the widespread abandonment of many Bible principles by brethren in so many places, my answer may seem strange. And because so many seem to have a downcast, pessimistic attitude that is hurtful to themselves and to the cause of Christ, I present the following reasons for such rejoicing:

Conservative Brethren Are Liberal

In spite of the fact that in some places some brethren have become so obsessed with the need of fighting error in the churches that they have almost forgotten the equally important work of “sowing the good seed of the kingdom,” yet other brethren are eager to be busy in constructive work and are also happy to help those who want to go out into needy fields. It took me only three weeks to raise almost seven thousand dollars in travel funds when I was preparing to go to Nigeria, and almost all of this was received from churches that are very conservative. Brethren Sewell Hall and Aude McKee had similar success when they decided to go to Nigeria also. In fact, everywhere brethren seem to welcome the opportunity to engage in such work. This is as it should be. We cannot expect a harvest from a field simply because we have carefully chopped the weeds out, but we must have also planted good seed there and cultivated it well. So, while we urgently watch for every error, and oppose it with all our might, we might also carefully teach and practice the true principles that will build up the cause of Christ and that will lead the lost to salvation. I indeed rejoice that many, many brethren who stand solidly against every innovation and departure are equally committed to the constructive work of upholding with positive work and teaching every principle of righteousness.

Conservative Churches Are Growing

I know that in some places there are liberal tendencies that are shaking the very strongest of churches, and in some quarters many preachers and churches are drifting away from truth and fidelity to Christ. This is sufficiently extensive to cause any sincere person to grieve and to cause every real Christian to pray earnestly for strength and wisdom for the tasks that lie ahead of us in these next few years. However, there is also cause for great joy and those who consider the complete picture of the church today cannot be pessimists. Consider the following examples: Just a few years ago most of the churches in and around Indianapolis were climbing on the institutional bandwagon. Some would have then said that there were only two or three churches that could be counted upon to hold the line against innovations. Today there are eight or more churches in that area that preach and practice only those things that are authorized, and if one will reach out into neighboring towns and cities, that number will be increased to many more that are altogether sound in word and activity. Likewise we must all surely rejoice at the advancements in the Nashville area. Reliable sources indicate that there are now several churches there that actively oppose the liberal trends and many others do not “go along” with the idea of burdening the churches with support of human institutions. Then in Chicago-land changes have been amazing. A few years ago only a small handful or less could be counted upon to even decline the introduction of almost every conceivable thing and only two or three churches actually opposed such. Today at least fifteen or more churches in the metropolitan area refuse any participation in the unscriptural sponsorship arrangements or in support of human institutions. An equal number of preachers in the area openly and steadfastly oppose those departures. Furthermore, if one reaches out into the neighboring towns and cities, many more conservative preachers and churches will be found.

I am sure these three illustrations could be multiplied. In view of such facts I cannot be pessimistic. As one writer has so ably said, we have reached a time for sifting, and those who are weak, those who are filled with material ambitions and those who desire the favor of men may be drawn further and further into entangling and contaminating activities. But at the same time more and more sincere Christians will revolt against departures. Many will emerge with even greater strength than we had dared to hope. Surely a mighty army will remain faithful to the Captain of our salvation, and even if such army be only a remnant of the whole church as we know it today, it can be, if we make it so, a great and powerful force for bringing the lost to Christ and for restoring the wayward to the truth.

Truth Magazine, VI: 5, pp.120-119
February 1962

By Bill Echols

When Obadiah spoke out against Edom he said, “For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou I shalt be cut off for I ever.” (Verse 10) A1- so he said, “There I shalt not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the Lord hath spoken it.” (Verse 18) When God through His prophets speaks concerning nations, the things spoken come to pass. This is true of Edom. Edom as a nation is extinct. Lost from the maps of the world it is a reminder to all that God’s word is not void.

Students of the Bible know that the Edomites were the descendants of Esau, Jacob’s twin. Although twins, these sons of Isaac were opposites in many ways. The differences between the brothers were handed down to their respective descendants, the Edomites and the Israelites. Does history record another set of brothers who each fathered a nation with each nation’s history so interwoven with the other’s? Truly their struggle together in the womb of their mother was continued in the nations they produced.

Before the birth of the twins God told Rebekah, “Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.” ( Gen. 25: 23) The Bible enables us to trace the fulfillment of this prophecy and most of the history of Edom until the words of Obadiah came to pass when Esau was “cut off for ever.”

According to the announcement made to Rebekah, each son was to become a nation. Esau was the father of the Edomites. (Gen. 36:43) The size of the land of Edom varied in different periods of its history. Centered around Mount Seir (Gen. 36:8), it once extended from the Dead Sea to the Red Sea at Eziongeber. (I Kings 9:26) Jacob’s blessing upon Esau promised, “Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above.” (Gen. 27:39) When the possessions of Jacob and Esau became so great that the land of Canaan could not contain them both, Esau moved to dwell in Seir. (Gen. 36:6-8) There the Edomites continued to grow in wealth. Edom was a wealthy nation with kings as rulers while Israel was still in Egyptian slavery. (Gen. 36:31)

The land of Seir lay south and east of the land promised to Israel. This made it necessary for the Israelites to pass through Edom on their way from Egypt to the Promised Land. In Numbers 20: 17, as Israel sought passage through Edom, we learn more of the great wealth of the Edomites. “Let us pass, I pray thee, through thy country: we will not pass through the fields, or through the vineyards, neither will we drink of the water of the wells.” The hillsides were terraced to yield abundantly. Palaces were built in major cities. (Amos 1:12)

Isaac further told Esau, “And by thy sword shalt thou live.” (Gen. 27:40) Edom was possessed with a war-like spirit. (Psalm 137:7) It was by the sword that the children of Esau took Seir from the Horites. (Deut. 2:12, 22) Edom never relinquished the sword. The Chronicler records, “For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives.” (II Chron. 28: 17) Such constant warfare resulted in the ultimate downfall of the Edomite nation. (Obad. 8,9) Edom had long considered itself safe in an impenetrable mountain fortress. “The pride of shine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground.” (Obad. 3) God showed that all the accomplishments of men couldn’t prevent His judgment arid punishment upon the sinner. Let us not, as individuals or collectively as churches, become proud or think ourselves as beyond the judgments of God. “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Prov. 16: 18) “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (Jas. 4:6) “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” (I Cor. 10: 12)

Edom, according to Isaac’s prophecy, was to serve the descendants of Jacob. “And thou shalt serve thy brother.” (Gen. 27:40) This was fulfilled in David’s time. “And all the Edomites became servants to David.” (II Sam. 8: 14) But Isaac also prophesied that Esau would throw off this yoke. (Gen. 27:40)

Israel’s yoke on Edom was broken when Joram was king of Judah. “In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves.” (II Kings 8:20) This freedom was not long lasting as Amaziah “slew of Edom in the valley of salt ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Jokteel unto this day.” (II Kings 14:7) His son Azariah continued to add Edomite territory to Judah. (II Kings 14:22) Under the reign of king Ahaz, Edom was again free. This freedom was maintained until the time of Judas Maccabaeus who subdued the Edomites and laid waste many of their cities. Edom later lost national identity. Many of the people were absorbed into the Jewish nation. In the New Testament the land Edom once possessed was known as Idumaea (Mark 3:8), but this has long since passed. The land of Edom is “cut off for ever.”

What lessons can we learn from this nation that was but is not? We have already observed that pride was part of the cause of Edom’s fall. Her treachery was another. Obadiah stated specifically that Edom was to be cut off “for the violence done to thy brother Jacob.” (vs. 10) The first record of such violence was the refusal to allow Israel to pass through Edomite territory. (Num. 20: 14-22) Later when Judah was oppressed by the Philistines and others. Edom joined the oppressors. (II Chron. 28:17, 18) “Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land. ” (Joel 3:19) Can we today expect less when we “bite and devour one another?” (Gal. 5: 15)

From this study it is obvious that God does not approve people of violence and vengeance. God’s people must manifest no desire for vengeance. “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Rom. 12:19) We are often made to wonder if some of our brethren’s actions are not prompted more by a desire of vengeance than a love for the truth. The only warfare God requires of His people is spiritual. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” (II Cor. 10.4)

From this study of Edom we can also see the fulfillment of God’s promises. Obadiah said to Edom, “As thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee, thy reward shall return upon shine own head.” (vs. 15) We have found things to be just as he said. Thus we can know that those things spoken concerning the end of time and eternity will also be as God has spoken. “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” (John 5:28, 29) “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” (Rev. 2:10) Let us learn that the Word of God endureth forever.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11).

Truth Magazine, VI: 6, pp. 5-7
March 1962