Listen up, little ones
Listen for the word pride.
Reading
Obadiah 1:1-9—Deceived by Pride
Optional Reading
Genesis 25:19-24
Keys for kids
- Pride in our abilities deceives our hearts.
- Our wisdom and strength can't save us.
- The humble hope for God's salvation.
Questions
- What is the sin that deceives man's heart?
- Can we save ourselves from God's wrath?
- Where does pride lead us?
Notes
(See Saturday for authors.)
Jacob and Esau were twin brothers with two very different destinies. Likewise, we live in a world of men and women with two very different destinies: salvation and destruction. It is sobering that the majority of people walk in the way of Esau, the way of destruction. Why would anyone do this? Most people just think they're different. They're proud. People believe the terrible lie: Who will bring me down to the ground? (v. 3). Pride deceives them. Pride can deceive us too.
Proud people trust in their own wisdom and strength to save them from God, from death, from trouble in this life. But God makes it plain that our best wisdom is really ignorance (vv. 7, 8) and our greatest strength but weakness (v. 9). If we are proud, no mere human wisdom or power can save us from God's wrath.
Esau was proud. His descendants, the Edomites, were proud too. God makes plain where his pride leads: to destruction. Obadiah's vision is a warning to all who trust in human wisdom and strength: Don't fall for pride's trap (v. 7); instead, let's humble our hearts and take refuge in man's only Savior, Jesus Christ.
Swedish Method questions
Praise
Psalm 52a, 2a
Prayer
- Ask God to humble your heart and give you refuge in Jesus.
- Pray for the preparation for preaching God’s Word this Lord's Day.
- Pray for a member of our church, for your family, and for a non-Christian friend/family member.