Post on 03-Jan-2016
Kitty Genovese
Who was Obadiah?
Historical backgroundleading up toObadiah’s prophecy.
Let’s take a look at today’s scripture.
Obadiah 1 (NLT)
1 This is the vision that the Sovereign LORD revealed to Obadiah concerning the land of Edom.We have heard a message from the LORD that an ambassador was sent to the nations to say,“Get ready, everyone! Let’s assemble our armies and attack Edom!”2 The LORD says to Edom,“I will cut you down to size among the nations; you will be greatly despised.3 You have been deceived by your own pride because you live in a rock fortress and make your home high in the mountains.‘Who can ever reach us way up here?’ you ask boastfully.4 But even if you soar as high as eagles and build your nest among the stars,I will bring you crashing down,” says the LORD.
Malachi 1:1-3 (NIV)
1A prophecy: The word of the LORD to Israel through Malachi.2 “I have loved you,” says the LORD.“But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’“Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet I have loved Jacob, 3 but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his hill country into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.”
Why did God hate Edom? The answer to that question is found in verse 3of Obadiah.
"The pride of your heart has deceived you."
· Suppose that I knew of a certain Christian who was drinking very heavily and that I came to ask your advice as to what this church should do with him. What would you say?
· Suppose I told you of a Sunday school teacher who was caught by the police the other night in one of the local stores breaking into the register or safe. What would we do to that teacher?
· Suppose I told you that one of your deacons was addicted to pornography. How would you respond?
· Suppose though that I told you that I knew of a certain church member who was filled with pride, who was one of the proudest persons I had ever met. I dare say that our response would be very different.
Psalm 10:4 (NLT)4 The wicked are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead.
Proverbs 16:5 (NLT)5 The LORD detests the proud; they will surely be punished.
Proverbs 6:16-17a (KJV)16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look…
Do you wrestle with pride? Is it possible that your pride has you deceived and now you can’t even see it? Pride is the only disease known to man that makes everyone sick except the one who has it.— Bud Robinson
How do we know if we are guilty of this sin? Oswald Sanders suggested three tests by which pride can be discovered:
Test 1 -- Precedence
How do we react when another is selected for the assignment we expected, or for the office we coveted? When another is promoted and we are overlooked? When another outshines us in gifts and accomplishments?
Test 2 -- Sincerity
In our moments of honest self-criticism we will say many things about ourselves, and really mean them. But how do we feel when others, especially our rivals, say exactly the same things about us?
Test 3 – Criticism
Does criticism arouse hostility and resentment in our hearts, and cause us to fly into self-justification?
Pride destroys one’s sense of sympathy, compassion, respect and concerns for the welfare of others. Pride sees no one but self. Pride cares for no one but self. Pride destroys our sense of inter-personal relationship. What is going to happen? If you strugglewith pride, you need to repent. If you ignore it or continue in it, you may find yourself suffering a fate similar to Edom’s.
Obadiah 1 New Living Translation (NLT)
10 “Because of the violence you did to your close relatives in Israel,you will be filled with shame and destroyed forever.11 When they were invaded, you stood aloof, refusing to help them.Foreign invaders carried off their wealth and cast lots to divide up Jerusalem, but you acted like one of Israel’s enemies.12 “You should not have gloated when they exiled your relatives to distant lands.You should not have rejoiced when the people of Judah suffered such misfortune.You should not have spoken arrogantly in that terrible time of trouble.
13 You should not have plundered the land of Israel when they were suffering such calamity.You should not have gloated over their destruction when they were suffering such calamity.You should not have seized their wealth when they were suffering such calamity.14 You should not have stood at the crossroads, killing those who tried to escape.You should not have captured the survivors and handed them over in their terrible time of trouble.
Obadiah 1:15-17
15 “The day is near when I, the LORD, will judge all godless nations!As you have done to Israel, so it will be done to you.All your evil deeds will fall back on your own heads.16 Just as you swallowed up my people on my holy mountain,so you and the surrounding nations will swallow the punishment I pour out on you.Yes, all you nations will drink and stagger and disappear from history.17 “But Jerusalem will become a refuge for those who escape; it will be a holy place.And the people of Israel will come back to reclaim their inheritance.
Is there any doubt, based on this and many other prophecies, that the U.S. must continue to be a friend and an ally to Israel?
The prophecy in Obadiah teaches us that God is in control. After all…
This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forgetThat though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
Ø “His men would follow him anywhere, but only out of curiosity.”
Ø “This officer should go far—and the sooner he starts, the better.”
Ø “He has consistently exceeded the low standards he has set for himself.”
Ø “Since my last report he has reached rock bottom, and has started to dig.”
Ø “This officer has delusions of adequacy.”
Ø “Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap.”
References
Justice is Coming--Bob Leroe
No Innocent Bystanders—Wes Richards
The Pride of Edom--Kevin Higgins
The Word in Life Study Bible -- Obadiah