Who is my neighbor?

The animosity between Edom and Israel goes back to the origins of the two nations, in the hatred of Esau for his brother Jacob (Genesis 27:40-41). The hatred reared its head at several points in the history of the two nations. One occasion, which served as the reason for Obadiah’s prophecy, was the attack on Jerusalem during the days of Jerhoram by the Philistines and Arabians (2 Corinthians 21:8-10, 16-17). In Obadiah 10-16, because of the Edomites’ treatment of Israel, the question arises regarding who really is my neighbor?

First, my neighbor is someone I love. The law of Moses commanded the Israelites to love their neighbor (Leviticus 19:18). The Lord repeated the command in Matthew 22:39. Love is the greatest commandment because it is selfless (Philippians 2:4) and eternal (1 Corinthians 13:13).

Second, my neighbor is someone I serve. Feeling as though you love someone is not enough. You must act for their benefit (1 John 3:17-18). After teaching the lesson of the Good Samaritan, the Lord made the application to all of us: “Go, and do thou likewise” (Luke 10:25-37). We need to make sure that we remember that serving our neighbor is more than physically giving them money, feeding them, etc.; it is also teaching them the gospel and restoring them back to God (Mark 16:15; Galatians 6:10).

Everyone is my neighbor, even my enemy (Matthew 5:43-44). Edom despised Israel, and stood condemned. They were happy over the misfortune of their neighbors, but they should have felt sympathy. Nothing shows hard-heartedness more than a refusal to help your neighbor.

Kyle Campbell