Comeuppance

"The day of the Lord is near for all nations.

As you have done, it will be done to you;

your deeds will return upon your own head."

Obadiah 15

Obadiah's words come across the centuries with eery percipience. Nations and individuals who misbehave towards others can only expect the same - or worse - to come upon them in due course. This was Obadiah's message to Israel's neighbour, Edom, which had been a constant thorn in the nation's flesh and lost no opportunity to capitalise on Israel's misfortunes. Poignancy is added when taking into account that Edom and Israel trace their descent from brothers Esau and Jacob. As such they epitomise those who are rejected by God and those who are chosen. At one level anyway, one might add that which is which is revealed in their behaviour. How might that affect our own conduct - as individuals, communities, nations - were we to assess our actions and attitudes according to what they reveal about our status within the providence of God?