Today's Reading:

Obadiah 1
Psalm 82
Psalm 83

The ancient readers would have understood the topography of the time. Even while declaring judgment on Edom, God still had hope for His people. They knew the eastern red-rock cliffs and terrain of Edom with the high mountain fortress near Petra where the Edomites felt untouchable. They also knew the dry southern Negev foothills that bordered the Philistines in the west, and the lush land that stretched towards Gilead across the Jordan. When Obadiah promised that Israel would expand into those regions, it was vivid and not difficult to picture. This was a concrete promise that the same God who saw Edom’s pride and betrayal would one day restore His people and give them the land. In the middle of the message of Edom’s judgment, God gave grace to His people. The survivors would not only be delivered on Mount Zion, but they would also inherit the land that once mocked them. Judgment was real but was never the final word for His people.

Do you have any Petra-like strongholds in your life that feel too high, too fortified, and too difficult to overcome? How does God’s promise to give even those places to His people encourage you?

A way to remember the book of Obadiah:

O-bad-iah turns into O(h)- Bad- Edom. This was about judgment on Edom.

This was the shortest book in the Old Testament. The Edomites were the descendants of Esau (Jacob’s twin brother). The land of Jacob (known as Israel) and the land of Esau (which became Edom) were neighboring nations. The Edomites lived in the modern area of southern Jordan and dwelled in the cliff rocks (like Petra). Judgment came on Edom. An envoy/messenger was stirring up the surrounding nations to attack Edom. Edom was small and despised, but they felt secure and indifferent. Their pride had deceived them.

When Babylon destroyed Jerusalem, Edom did not come to help. Instead, they mocked and looted Judah. Their pride was bigger than the security of dwelling in the rocks. Not a single grape would be left behind when God sent enemies to destroy them. Even their own friends would betray them; no one could be trusted.

Because Edom had betrayed Judah, now their friends would betray them. God would destroy their wise men and warriors of Teman. The Edomite region was known for wise men and understanding (Job’s friend Eliphaz was from Teman, Job 2:11). Eventually they would be terrified and slaughtered. God listed all of the crimes Edom had committed: violence, standing by while Judah fell, gloating and rejoicing over the destruction and trouble of Jerusalem, seizing wealth, and even handing over survivors to the enemy. This was the ultimate (long-distance) family betrayal. God’s wrath would come on them like an eye for an eye, in the way they had celebrated over God’s holy people from Jerusalem.

Obadiah used the names Jacob and Joseph to denote the people of Israel from the north to the south combined. He said Jacob and Joseph would be the fire and flame, and Esau (Edom) would be the dry stubble of the leftover dry stalks after a harvest. Edom would burn up, being destroyed. The Lord had spoken, which sealed His Word and their fate. Prior, God had used other nations against Edom; now it would be His own people who would come to possess them.  

Those from the Negev (southern foothills, towards Philistine, Gaza, and Ashkelon) would expand and possess the land that was once Edom’s. Benjamin would expand east to Gilead. Israel would expand in every direction. This was a hopeful ending. The deliverers/saviors were the restored “judges” from God’s people who would rule from Jerusalem. Deliverance on Mount Zion (Jerusalem) would bring justice and destruction of Edom. Israel would then inherit the land.

Psalm 82- This is one of the last two psalms from Asaph. The psalm was a heavenly courtroom scene. God put the “gods” (human rulers and judges) on trial. These earthly rulers in Israel (and maybe the heavenly beings, most modern commentators understand) were supposed to bring justice to the nations but failed to uphold what was right. Those with power were held accountable. “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked?” God asked, when it was their job to defend the poor, fatherless, and weak? God wanted them to fix it! This moral foundation knew nothing and walked in darkness. God had given them a high status and titles, but because they were corrupt, they would now die like mere humans. Asaph called on God to bring His true justice to the earth and set it all right. God has the Supreme Authority.

Psalm 83- This was the final psalm from Asaph. He asked God to not remain silent, but to judge Israel’s enemies who plot to wipe them off the map. Asaph had a long list of enemies from surrounding nations that had joined together against God’s people. He had remembered that God had delivered them before, so he pled for Him to do it again! Let them know, You alone are the Most High. Do not just crush the enemies, but humble them so the whole world will know that the Lord (Jesus) is the Most High over all the earth.

 

Today's Discussion question:

Do you have any Petra-like strongholds in your life that feel too high, too fortified, and too difficult to overcome? How does God’s promise to give even those places to His people encourage you?

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