Want to study together?

We are changing the world one life at a time for the glory of God.

If you would like to study Biblical topics in depth, stop by my other blog:

http://onlinegracegroup.blogspot.com/

Current study: Spiritual Warfare

22 August 2012

Week 34 Review - Obadiah



Obadiah – just 21 verses and the shortest book in the Old Testament, but what a book it is!

Edom is the kingdom founded by Esau, the less loved twin of Jacob, who was chosen by God to receive the blessing of the Abrahamic covenant. Hundreds of years later, the fight between the brothers continues. The Edomites lived in the hills and felt very secure. Their key city was Petra, the city of red rocks. They were a despised people, but God’s law demanded that the Jews treat them as brothers (Deuteronomy 23:7).

God was going to pour out His judgment on this proud and wealthy people. He sent Obadiah, whose name means One Who Worships God, to warn the people of impending doom.

Edom’s wealth was to be totally plundered – nothing would remain. Even the gleanings would be taken. Their friends would turn on them. Because of the devastation, the eastern trade routes would not travel to Edom, and their wealth would be destroyed: with the cessation of trade, their wisdom would dry up. Their mighty army would be defeated.

Why was God judging Edom?
For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and cast off all pity, and his anger tore perpetually, and he kept his wrath forever.  Amos 1:11 (ESV)

Obadiah’s word from the Lord confirms Amos’ writings and gives more detail.
·         Violence against their own brothers. They watched Israel as it was led into captivity but did nothing.
Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever. 11  On the day that you stood aloof, on the day that strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them. 10-11 (ESV)

·         Edom gloated over the destruction of Judah.
But do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of distress. 12 (ESV)

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, 18 lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him. Prov 24:17-18 (ESV)

·         Edom assisted in the attack of Judah, capturing survivors and turning them over to Babylon.
Do not stand at the crossroads to cut off his fugitives; do not hand over his survivors in the day of distress. 14 (ESV)

·         Edom ignored God’s pending wrath, and their deeds would turn against them.

For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head. 15 (ESV)

Jesus said it a little differently in the maxim known as “the Golden Rule”.

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matt 7:12 (ESV)

Paul discussed this in his letter to the Galatians.

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. Gal 6:7 (ESV)

How does ancient Edom apply to us today? It reminds us that our actions have consequences, of course – but I think the most important lesson here is that God is the one Who will “pay back” people who oppress me. Edom had oppressed their neighbors and brothers for years – they were celebrating Jerusalem’s fall and possibly making a little money when they took fugitives to the Babylonians. They were wealthy and powerful, but God was watching and He brought judgment to the people. We see other examples of God’s “payback” throughout the Bible.

·         Pharaoh ordered all Jewish boy babies be drowned. God eventually drowned the entire Egyptian army (Exodus 1; 14:26-31).
·         Daniel’s peers were jealous of him. They had the king issue a proclamation  prohibiting worship of anyone other than the king. Daniel continued to worship God. He was framed by “the presidents and satraps” and ultimately thrown into the lion’s den. God saved Daniel – and Daniel’s malicious accusers were thrown into that same den (Daniel 6).
·         Those who persecute and shed the blood of Christ’s people will someday drink blood themselves (Revelation 16:5-6)

God’s judgments are true and righteous. Feeling persecuted today? Take your problems to Him. Don’t try to “get even” with those who offend, hurt or persecute you. God has a great track record. Let Him take care of your problems.

And what are you supposed to do instead of getting even?  Praise God. Pray for your enemies.

My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. 2  “There is none holy like the Lord; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. 1 Sam 2:1-2 (ESV)

I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. Psalms 18:3 (ESV)

But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28  bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29  To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30  Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. Luke 6:27-31 (ESV)

What lessons did you see in this tiny book? How has it enriched your life and helped you to understand God’s plan for you? I’m really curious! Drop me an email or write a comment. See you at the end of the week.

9 comments:

  1. Same daytime payment financial loans happen to be a variety of pay day loans
    available for one month period around crisis conditions.
    They don’t want that proof situations’ urgent situation, none needed
    surety, credit rating nor other things. Chances are you'll schedule a vacation, some very important products or simply insure your company charges – Identical afternoon installment funds will let in any instances. In these days these types of mortgages are presented on line.

    Here is my homepage pożyczka bez bik

    ReplyDelete
  2. Exact daytime payments financial loans are usually a make of cash
    advance loans furnished for that 30 days interval for unexpected conditions.
    They don’t involve the particular proof situations’ critical, not they are worth giving
    surety, credit score none other stuff. Perhaps you may plan a
    secondary, a lot of necessary buys or simply cover up your home business expenses – Same working day payments loans will allow
    you to in any occurrences. Currently a lot of these lending products can
    be bought via the internet.

    Also visit my site ... pożyczki bez bik

    ReplyDelete
  3. Same evening fitting up personal loans are usually
    a make of pay day loans furnished to get a calendar month
    phase during crisis predicaments. They don’t demand that evidence of
    situations’ catastrophe, none they are worth giving surety, credit standing or other things.
    You can plan a secondary, many very important expenses or even cover
    your internet business payments – Very same daytime setting up financial products can assist you in
    a conditions. At this time all these borrowing products are offered on
    the web.

    Take a look at my web page :: pożyczka na dowód

    ReplyDelete
  4. Identical morning installing lending options are a type of fast payday loans available for that 30 days time period on emergency
    circumstances. Some people don’t have to have the particular
    proof situations’ urgent, not they might require surety, history of credit nor other things.
    Perhaps you may package a vacation, a number of fundamental acquisitions
    and also include your corporation prices – Exact moment installment financial products will assist you to in a occasions.
    Currently these financial loans can be bought web based.


    Here is my homepage kredyty bez bik

    ReplyDelete
  5. Identical morning fitting financial products are actually a type of payday
    advances presented for your week time in catastrophe predicaments.
    These people don’t require the proof of
    situations’ unexpected emergency, or they are worth giving surety, credit ratings nor other stuff.

    You'll prepare a secondary, quite a few very important buys and also go over your internet business costs – Similar time payments mortgages will allow you to in any incidents. These days these kind of lending options are obtainable on the net.

    My homepage; pożyczki pozabankowe

    ReplyDelete
  6. Similar day time fitting financial products really are a variety of payday advances granted on a few weeks
    interval during crisis problems. Individuals don’t will need all the
    proof of situations’ critical, or they need surety,
    credit standing nor other stuff. It's possible you'll strategy a secondary, numerous fundamental products and even deal with your online business costs – Same
    exact time installment funds will allow you to in different cases.
    In these days these lending options are available on
    the web.

    My site; chwilówki

    ReplyDelete
  7. Identical morning fitting funds can be a make of payday cash advances furnished
    for any calendar month time for unexpected emergency scenarios.
    These people don’t require your proof situations’ disaster, neither
    of them needed surety, credit report nor other things. You can approach a holiday, a few essential expenditures or even take care of your business interest fees – Similar moment
    payment mortgages will let in different cases. Nowadays those personal loans can be bought on the web.


    Feel free to visit my website pożyczki prywatne

    ReplyDelete
  8. Exact same morning sequel funds can be a sort of cash advances provided for just a month span on catastrophe occasions.
    That they don’t involve a proof situations’ sudden, not they are worth giving surety,
    credit report not other stuff. You could possibly
    prepare a vacation, several fundamental purchase and also covers your business prices – Comparable morning fitting up personal loans will assist
    you to in any events. At this time those mortgages can be obtained web based.


    Also visit my web site :: kredyt bez bik

    ReplyDelete
  9. A new Advance loan can be a comparable whilе а payday advance loаn oг еven
    fast caѕh loan. A mаϳority of thеse lending optіοns are hence that іs а
    shoгt-lіved and capable of ѕuρpоrt ρеople todaу comprehend
    as a result of wages tο help wаges. It is rathеr for all
    instanсes when you ѕіmply dеmand moгe cash to pаy оff ones οwn еxpenses anԁ to receіve several οf thе
    unсontrolleԁ unexpected emergency life.

    It іs not triсκy in ordег
    to make aρplication fоr a cаѕh
    loan. You might be broωsing can a bіg outlеts
    locally. You could bοunce to a lot
    othеrs via the internet. It iѕ a simρle and eνen еasy oрeration.
    It's possible to have your income within just min's or even wοrking hours іn case you іmplemеnt.
    This rеally is аt the sаme time аn excellent fіnanciаl lοan when
    you've got awful credit standing, never for the reason that they then do conduct any credit ratings verify.

    That will acquire some sort of cash loan, you must have evidence of today's emрloyment alоng wіth bank accοunt.
    Follow оn an income by your boss mаny of уouг financial informаtion.
    Now that your details haѕ become validated, you саn
    get your hard еаrned money straight away. Once you
    try thіs οѵer the internet, it could take a few time in the caρital tо alωays bе diгected baсk.



    My websitе ... pozyczka bez zaswiadczen

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking time to comment!