September 23
Read Amos 6 - Obadiah 1
In Today's Reading:
Woe pronounced upon sin; the grasshoppers; fire; plumbline; basket of summer fruit; famine of God's Word
The Edomites had been hostile to the Israelites for centuries - from the time Esau (Edom) sold the family birthright and it was rightfully given to his brother Jacob (Israel). The prophet Obadiah foretold the eventual triumph of Israel, as well as the complete destruction of Edom: For your violence against your brother Jacob shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off for ever. . . . for the LORD has spoken it (Obadiah 1:10,18).
Esau had moved to Mount Seir where the Edomites, his descendants, felt secure in their mountain fortress. Their self-sufficiency and disinterest in the will of God led them to ignore Obadiah's warning.
The Edomites conspired with Ammon and Moab against Judah and took Israelite captives. They also raided Judah in the days of King Ahaz to take even more captives to be their slaves (II Kings 8:20-22; II Chronicles 28:16-17). When Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonian army, some of the Jewish escapees tried to flee out of the land; but, the Edomites took advantage of the fleeing Israelites and blocked roads, robbed them, and delivered the refugees to the Babylonians (Obadiah 1:12-14). Because of their treachery, God foretold that Edom would be utterly destroyed (1:9-10,18).
About four years after the fall of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar's army swept through Ammon, Moab, and Edom. Edomite refugees fled to the western area of their country south of Judea. The Edomites then made raids northward into Judea, taking part of that land. This territory became known as Idumaea, from which later came Herod, the Roman-appointed puppet king who sought to kill the Child Jesus. Eventually, the Edomites disappeared from history, just as Obadiah had foretold. Unlike the prophecy against the Edomites, Obadiah foretold that Judah would recover and one day would again possess their possessions (1:15-17).
The absolute justice of God and our assurance of His faithfulness encourage us to know that the principles of right and wrong never change. Jesus expressed the inevitable spiritual law of God's Kingdom: As you would that men should do to you, do also to them likewise (Luke 6:31).
Christ Revealed:
As the Plumbline (Amos 7:7-8). A plumb line is used to indicate an absolutely straight vertical line Christ alone is qualified to walk in the midst of His people, measuring and exposing good and bad, true and false (Revelation 2 and 3).
Word Studies:
Amos 6:8 excellency = pride; 6:11 with breaches = into ruins; with clefts = into fragments; 6:13 horns = military power (Deuteronomy 33:17; I Kings 22:11); Obadiah 1:12 looked on = gloated over; 1:21 saviours = deliverers.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for BP Staff: Mary Kay Wagner · Government Officials: Gov. Sila Calderon (PR) and Rep. Bob Clement (TN) · Country: Somalia (7 million) on the Horn of Africa · Major languages: Somali and Arabic · Islam is officially favored and all other religions are opposed · 99.8% Muslim; .1% Christian
Prayer Suggestion: Thank God in prayer for His faithfulness to His Word and His desire that all come to repentance (II Peter 3:9).
Prayer Suggestion: Thank God in prayer for His faithfulness to His Word and His desire that all come to repentance (II Peter 3:9).
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 14:9