Obadiah

Obadiah, writer of the shortest “book” of the Old Testament. Not much is known of this contemporary of Elijah, Micaiah or Jehu, but what he had to warn the Edomites, the descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother can apply today.

When God’s chosen people, the Israelites were being besieged, Edom, their “blood relative” didn’t just stand by and do nothing, they helped sell the refugees seeking protection from them to other nations and to those capturing and besieging Israel. They let their “brothers” fall without lifting a single hand to help. In fact, they cheered on the warring nations.

God loves and protects His children and the Jewish people are His chosen children and in the past God has had to pass on judgement to those who would harm His children. Israel, they were God’s chosen nation and today, His holy nation is His Church, all those who have given their lives and surrendered themselves to follow after Jesus Christ. We are “adopted” brothers and sisters with Israel our “older brother” and today God protects us, as His children as He has always done in the past.

Those who know better, especially, had better bury themselves back into the Word of God, for God is unchanging and so is His Word that is an integral part of His Holy Character! Due to the indifference of the Edomites, as well as their direct defiance towards God, and their arrogance and treachery towards their brothers, they were in essence condemned by their own actions.

They were prideful because of the seemingly impregnable mountain region they lived in that made it nearly impossible to conquer. They overlooked however the power, might and sovereignty of Almighty God, Who always defends and protects His children with a jealous love.

Part of Obadiah’s warning, parts that some mainstream churches, yes, I said churches, AND political leaders should heed are as follows, for again, God’s Word and His Character DO NOT change!

Obadiah 1:

7 “All your allies will turn against you. They will help to chase you from your land. They will promise you peace while plotting to deceive and destroy you. Your trusted friends will set traps for you, and you won’t even know about it. 8 At that time not a single wise person will be left in the whole land of Edom,” says the Lord. “For on the mountains of Edom I will destroy everyone who has understanding.”

You can change the name Edom, for the term “churches” or even for the term “government” for the same spiritual principle applies!

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.”

Again, you can change the name Israel and replace it with “my children.” Human nature does not seem to change, but neither does God’s Character or Nature!

In the writing of Obadiah, God has promised that His Children will take refuge in His capital, literally “in His presence,” and they will be tormented no more but as God Himself will rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, His children will live with Him in peace.

There are many today who scoff and mock the Word(s) of God as if they are only a myth or fairy-tale, yet I tell you in all solemnity, that God’s Word(s) is/are truth! Let the mockers mock and the scoffers scoff, but as one called of the Lord along with all my true Brothers and Sisters in Christ, let those who do mock or scoff, repent, or be forewarned.