Day 186 – Obadiah: Edom’s destruction and Israel’s restoration
“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.” Obadiah 1:17 NLT
Read Obadiah 1
The book of Obadiah shows the outcome of the ancient feud between Edom and Israel. Edom was proud of its position, but God would bring that nation down. Those who are high and powerful today should not be overconfident in themselves, whether a nation, a corporation, a church, a family, or an individual. Just as Edom was destroyed for its pride, so will anyone be who lives in defiance of God.
God did not pronounce these harsh judgments against Edom out of vengeance but to bring about justice. God is morally perfect and demands complete justice and fairness. The Edomites were simply receiving the punishment they deserved for their evil actions. Because they murdered, they would be murdered. Because they robbed, they would be robbed. Because they took advantage of others, they would be used. Don’t talk yourself into sin, thinking, “No one will know” or “I won’t get caught.” God knows all our sins. He also knows we cannot stand righteous before Him on our own and that only through the perfect and holy sacrifice of Jesus Christ we have salvation to stand blameless before God.
Prayer: Father, though Obadiah is one of the smallest prophetic books in the Old Testament, the message is not. The deeper we come to know the prophetic word of Obadiah, the more we see it in the world around us or within ourselves. Thank You for the salvation through Jesus Christ and the discernment of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. Amen.
