What happens in our hearts when someone else falls?
Sometimes their trouble gives us an advantage. A rival loses influence. Someone who hurt us faces humiliation. We may feel a quiet satisfaction before we have even considered what help they need.
Obadiah brings us into that uncomfortable place. Edom watched Judah’s disaster and made it worse. They took wealth, blocked escape, and handed over survivors. These were people connected to them by family history. Their shared ancestry carried a responsibility to care. Instead, Edom treated a brother’s vulnerability as an opportunity to gain at his expense.
God saw every act of betrayal. Judah’s wrongdoing gave Edom no permission to exploit Judah’s suffering. One person’s guilt does not make another person’s cruelty righteous.
We can tell the truth about sin and still move toward someone with compassion. We can refuse to spread humiliating news. We can ask what help is needed and protect a wounded person from further harm.
Compassion does not require us to excuse wrongdoing. Sometimes love means offering honest counsel, encouraging repentance, and staying close enough to help someone take the next faithful step.
The kingdom belongs to the Lord. We answer to the King who gave Himself for us.
When someone falls, may our first question be how we can help.
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