The Gemara tells us that Ovadia merited prophesy on the falling of Edom (Esav’s nation) since he lived with wicked people (Izevel and Achav), yet didn’t learn from their bad deeds. What is the connection between the two?
The Rambam cautions us in who we surround ourselves with, since they affect us. If so, Esav should have been a Tzadik since he was around Yitzchak and Rivka. Ovadia on the other hand, should have been wicked because of Izevel and Achav.
There are two types of those who don’t learn from another’s bad ways. It can be passive as in keeping a distance from them. However, a higher level is from actively fighting the wave.
The saying goes, “Are you going to ride the wave or let the wave ride you?”
Predicated on this we can understand why the pasuk highlights that Rivka was the daughter of Besuel and sister of Lavan although we already know this. It is to relate her praise that she was the daughter and sister of nefarious people yet she didn’t follow in their path.
This gives us a deeper appreciation in עם לבן הרשע גרתי..., I lived with Lavan and observed the 613 mitzvos and did not learn from his evil deeds. Yaakov was proactive in not learning from Lavan’s nefarious ways.
In a similar way, Yosef who was surrounded by the lowest of people in Mitzrayim, was steadfast in his righteousness. In this way we can understand ויוסף הוא השליט על הארץ: he ruled over the physicality that was present in Mitzrayim.
Esav on the other hand fought the tide of those who were good around him. Ovadia fought the tide of wickedness and was therefore a Tzadik. Consequently, we now see the connection of the prophesy Ovadia merited since he didn’t learn from the wicked.
