Obadiah 2

Obadiah

Review – Obadiah is a prophecy against Edom. Edom was Israel's neighbour on the south-east, south of Moab and the Dead Sea its territory extended south to the Gulf of Aqaba. Its entire boundary was dotted with a series of fortresses. Nowhere does it get below 5,000 feet in elevation: chief fort in the north was Bozrah and Teman in the south. "The clefts of the rock" (v.3) (Sela, Gr. Petra) – the capital – accessed through a narrow canyon over 1 mile in length. , and "nest set among the stars (v.4), perfectly describes the country. Edom's treasure was enormous wealth from iron and copper mines, and caravan trade (6). Edom was famous for her wise men (Jeremiah 49:7 Concerning Edom. Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Is there no longer any wisdom in Teman? Has good counsel been lost to the prudent? Has their wisdom decayed?). Last time I spoke we looked at Edom, and saw that Edom typifies natural man [OHP] – from the story of Esau (from whom Edom is descended) we saw certain characteristics of Edom: rely on natural strength ("Adam" – man) - live by lusts ("Adom" – red stuff) - earthly ("Adamah" – dust, ground). Edom, the nation – mountainous: typifies its pride; secure; wise. Edom, the history - perpetual enmity; no natural compassion . God hates Edom! [Malachi 1:2 Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the Lord. “Yet I have loved Jacob; but I have hated Esau, and I have made his mountains a desolation and appointed his inheritance for the jackals of the wilderness.”] - he is very close to us! So when we look at this prophecy we are looking at God's judgement upon natural man, our adamic nature, man outside of Jesus Christ. We are either in Adam, have his nature, an Esau, Edom; or we are in Christ.

Theme: doom of proud; deliverance of meek and humble; Judah will possess not only her own land but Philistia and Edom. Read [OHP]

Natural man: Edom – characterised by pride (v.3); security (v.3); wise (v.8); boasting (v.12,13). Remember Edom pictures natural man, what we are without Christ – man is proud (v.3) and confident in his ability to take care of himself (v.3,4) – our doctors, scientists, technology will find a way. We have our insurance, our military, our treaties our savings – we are secure, nothing can touch us. The spirit of Edom is alive and well today! He trusts in his alliances with others (v.7) – democracy and politics: "If we all co-operate there will be peace and harmony" – this is humanism – trusting in man. It is the mind set of the world in which we live. We trust in our own wisdom (v.8) and the great knowledge that we have accumulated. We rely on our own strength (v.9) – we are mighty men. But oh we are not violent are we? (v.10). We abhor violence – man is deceived! While I was on holiday there were 4 murders in Christchurch, look at the record of history – there is a continuous record of wars and killing. We need to face the facts – man is violent! We are uncaring (v.11) we stand aloof, only concerned with out own welfare – we are not our brother's keeper, that is their problem not ours. We lack compassion for our brother, our fellow man (v.12). We rejoice over the misfortune of others – for if they are down then we are up. I can remember when the stock market took a fall a few years ago – I must admit that I felt smug that all these wealthy people and greedy speculators lost their money . How do you feel when the All Blacks defeat the Aussies? We rejoice in their downfall!

Judgement: Obadiah received a revelation from יהוה the LORD Himself - a vision that was a message for Edom from יהוה! He had decreed judgement! - war (v.1); despised (v.2); made low (v.4); decimated (v.5); plundered (v.6); deceived (v.7, 3); destruction (v.8); fear (v.9); slaughter (v.9); shame (v.10); cut off forever (v.10). יהוה prophesied war - an aggressor would come against Edom for battle. This report came from יהוה - it was His doing, His plan and purpose. יהוה was calling the nations to gather against Edom, to rise up and stand against her.

Judgement on pride: In their pride they thought that they were great – but יהוה would make them small (v.2), they would be great all right – they would be greatly despised! She thought highly of herself but in יהוה’s eyes Edom was despised. Our evaluation is of no account for it is false – Edom was deceived (v.3,7) - what יהוה’s evaluation is, is what counts, for it is true. Our own evaluation deceives us because of our inherent pride - we think of ourselves more highly than we ought and so we don’t make an objective self evaluation - we think we’re great when we’re not (Rom 12:3). Pride deceives (Jeremiah 49:16“As for the terror of you, the arrogance of your heart has deceived you, O you who live in the clefts of the rock, who occupy the height of the hill. Though you make your nest as high as an eagle’s, I will bring you down from there,” declares the Lord). Edom saw her position as exalted in the heavens and immune to attack - who could bring her down from her lofty place? She was utterly self assured, supremely self confident - But it was a confidence misplaced! Just like the world today - Edom is a picture of the flesh. Fleshly man is assured of his own security - but it is a confidence utterly misplaced. Edom was not great but small, not esteemed by despised. The high topographical location of Edom typified their high-minded, arrogant pride - יהוה would pull them down from this lofty position. Edom had built her fortress on "impregnable" heights - built on easily defended high places where fire can be rained down on the attackers below. Like an eagle, she had built her dwelling places securely in high, inaccessible places where no one could get at her. Edom, in her pride, said, "Who can bring me down?" The answer is: יהוה! יהוה has spoken! He has declared! "I will bring you down!" If we exalt ourselves, יהוה will bring us down. If we humble ourselves, He will raise us up. This is a universal principle. God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Plundered Edom (v.5,6) would be plundered and deserted completely. The words have an immediacy - they pour out of the prophet. The destruction would be total! Edom would be utterly and completely ravaged. Oh how she would be destroyed! Nothing left! Nothing overlooked! Nothing spared! No mercy! She would be completely plundered - thieves only steal what they want, harvesters leave gleanings - something is always left. But not so with Edom! She would be completely emptied and stripped of all she has. Edom would be thoroughly searched to find all her wealth and hidden treasure - nothing would escape the eyes of the invaders. They would search and find it all - take the lot, leaving Esau with absolutely NOTHING!When יהוה acts in judgement, it is an awesome and terrifying thing! Edom would be utterly ransacked! There is coming a day of judgement when natural man will be destroyed! Left with nothing!

Trust in man is futile: Edom not only relied on her natural defences, her inaccessible position and fortresses - she also made alliances with other nations - covenants of peace. But her allies would betray her. Those covenanted to defend Edom (in a defence pact) will actually be the ones who expel her from the borders of her nation! How futile to rely on man and man-made agreements. Edom thought herself so wise in the agreements she’d made (cf. v.8) but there is no wisdom or understanding in her at all - for it was human understanding which יהוה will utterly confound (1 Cor 1:19 it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.” .... Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ..... the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men ..... God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong .... so that no man may boast before God.). All Edom’s pride and confidence was utterly misplaced! Is ours? All Edom trusted in would prove unreliable, empty and vain when calamity struck, for יהוה Himself had appointed "a day" - a day of judgement, a day in which Edom and all her cleverness would be destroyed. Esau epitomises "man" - he stands for human strength, skill, talent, wisdom, cleverness - human resources. These יהוה will utterly destroy. Man relies on his own power and ability, his intelligence, his wits. But יהוה has set a day. A day of reckoning, of judgement, when all man’s resources will be revealed for what they truly are: utterly puerile, useless, futile. What man trusts in will bring him shame - because he trusted in himself, in man, not in יהוה the LORD. יהוהּ will destroy the wisdom and understanding of the wise in the day He has appointed. Hallelujah! Not only will יהוה destroy the wise and clever in the day of judgement but also the powerful, the mighty man, the warrior, the hero. Their strength will prove to be no help. They will be cut off! everyone! For יהוה has spoken! He will give them a taste of their own medicine RETRIBUTION – as they did will it be done to them (v.15) - these mighty men lived by violence, they would be cut off, killed violently - they would be slaughtered. - all those with human ability, who rely on human resources will be wiped out. Who then will survive? The weak, the poor, the insignificant, the humble, the nobodies - those whom the world despises, rejects, or overlooks.

Reason: But יהוה's judgement is never capricious – there always is a reason: violence to brother (v.10); lack of compassion (v.11); rejoicing over others' misfortune (v.12); taking advantage of others' misfortune (v.13,14). For the violence done to your brother Jacob,". Edom’s sin was one of wanton violence - but what made it worse was that it was directed against its own kin! Its own flesh and blood! His brother Jacob! This violates the fundamental law "to love our brother" (1 John 4:21). Sin has its consequences - because of Esau’s violence to Jacob יהוה’s judgement was that Esau would be: (1) covered with shame; (2) cut off forever. What could be more devastating?! To be no more! Cut off forever! And before this final end, there will be a period of humiliation - covered with shame - going out in disgrace. Edom took advantage of Israel’s humiliation, and kicked her when she was down - when invaded she came in as an opportunist and plundered Jerusalem and killed the defenceless fugitives - a total lack of heart - callous, cold-blooded murder - and this was Esau’s brother! They showed no compassion but rather stifled their natural affections and robbed Israel when they were at their lowest ebb, weak, poor, invaded and fleeing from their enemy. They found no sympathy from Edom, rather, bitter blows. On the day of Israel’s judgement they stood aloof. The invading army of foreigners entered the land, carried off its wealth, breached their city gates and entered the holy capital Jerusalem and cast lots for it to see who would have its riches. Edom didn’t lift a finger to help, she didn’t even stand dispassionately on the side-line. No, she actually joined with these invaders and plunderers, assisted them - she was one on them!

Day of God's wrath is coming: Note the repeated "on that day" (1x v.8; 2x v.11; 4x v.12; 3x v.13; 1x v.14) - eleven times in total in five verses! "That day" is the appointed time, the day set by יהוה in which He will act, the day set for judgement. There was a day set for Judah (v.11-14) [Three times Judah’s day is called a "day of disaster" (misfortune, misery, distress, oppression). It was a terrible day!] and there was also a day set for Edom (v.8) - each nation, at various times, has a day set for it - but there is a final day, an ultimate day, "the day of the LORD" (v.15) when ultimate final judgement upon all will take place. These other "days" will pale in comparison! But יהוה sets His "days" - there will come a time of judgement when He will hold us accountable for what we have done and recompense us in accordance with our deeds. One should not boast over another’s distress, considering yourself superior because it did not come upon you. It is not that you are more righteous and you are less deserving of punishment - it is just that it not your "day" yet. Your "day" will come! And how you reacted to others in their "day" will affect how you will be treated when your "day" comes. Edom boasted of its mighty strength, yet it did not attack armed armies, but fleeing, defenceless fugitives! They were fleeing, came to the fork of the road and probably hesitated, deciding which way to go - will the road to Edom lead to sanctuary with our relatives? In their moment of hesitation they were struck down. The survivors were imprisoned. No natural compassion was found in Edom. Because of this, יהוה’s judgement would fall upon them - they would have their own "day of distress" (Amos 1:11,12 Thus says the Lord, “For three transgressions of Edom and for four I will not revoke its punishment, because he pursued his brother with the sword, while he stifled his compassion; his anger also tore continually, and he maintained his fury forever.“So I will send fire upon Teman and it will consume the citadels of Bozrah.”).

Day of the LORD: the prophet has been talking about Edom, now suddenly shifts to the "Day of the LORD" and "All nations" (v.15), not just Edom – "all nations" because all nations are Edom – natural man! There was a day of judgement coming for Edom, but there is day of judgement coming upon all men! A day of God's wrath. I said that God hates Esau/Edom/natural man. God is angry with him – He has been patient but that stored up anger is going to be out-poured! I have a responsibility as a servant of God's word to tell what is in it. Let me state clearly and unequivocally that there is coming a day of awful judgement, a day of God's wrath, the "Day of the LORD". That's not may idea – that is what the Word of God says. No one can say on that day that Paul didn't warn you. The day of the LORD is יהוה's judgement of Edom, natural man; and His vindication of Israel, the people of God. Repeatedly God's word speaks of this day – may I warn you from God's word that IT IS NEAR! It is a day of retribution: it will be done to them as they have done (v.15,16). Judah had its "day" of judgement and Edom rejoiced, plundered her neighbour and killed the fugitives. Thus יהוה appoints a "day" of judgement for Edom. God's people are judged first, then the world (1 Peter 4:17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?). Now Obadiah extends thise day of Edom's judgement to the "day of the LORD" - of universal judgement, a coming day when יהוה will intervene and act, recompensing each according to what he has done. The day of the LORD is near!! The day of judgement on all the nations is not far away - it approaches and none will escape it! The day of harvest when each will reap according to what he has done. It is deeds that are judged. A day of recompense - when you receive back on yourself what you have dealt out to others. What you have done will be done to you. Your own acts will boomerang - they will return on your own head. If you have done good to others - good will be done to you. But, if you have exploited and mistreated others, as Edom had, you will be exploited and mistreated yourself . This principle of paying back will be carried out on Edom. When Jerusalem fell, she went up onto the temple mount and mockingly made sport, drinking, celebrating, revelling in the holy courts. Because they drank, therefore, in poetic, Divine, justice, they will be drunk. Edom will be swallowed up and she will be no more. The nations will drink the cup of יהוה’s judgement until they are no more.

An Inheritance: From Edom יהוה shifts to Israel., to their inheritance – God promised them the land (v.17,19,20). We in the church tend to spiritualise and allegorise things but you can't get around the fact the promises of God refer to real estate – the actual land of Israel. Israel will possess her possessions. Hallelujah! The day of the Lord is not just wrath, it is vindication: blessing on God's people, the spiritual as opposed to the natural man. They will receive the inheritance that God has promised them. Natural man has despised spiritual things, scorns them, makes them common, defiles what is holy – but the spiritual will be holy, God's people holy (v.17). On that final day of judgement Edom will be totally consumed, nothing will remain - but, in stark contrast, Jacob, though it will suffer, will not be totally wiped out. A remnant will survive. There will be a remnant, those who will escape, who will be saved. Those who call on the name of יהוה will be saved. Those that survive will be holy - a purified remnant. Edom desecrated יהוה’s holy hill (v.16), now He will sanctify it again, make it holy by preserving a holy people who will take possession of the possessions - the land יהוה had promised to Jacob, his house would finally receive as their everlasting inheritance and possession. The Lord’s promise will not fail. Hallelujah! Once restored and established in their land, they will become יהוה’s instrument of justice and will execute retribution upon Edom for all her vindictive hatred towards God’s people. Israel has been downtrodden by the nations – now it will be doing the treading. Others burned them (Psalm 137:7 Remember, O Lord, against the sons of Edom the day of Jerusalem, who said, “Raze it, raze it to its very foundation.”) now they will consume them (v.18) – retribution, pay-back time. There were survivors in Jacob, a remnant, but there will be no survivors in Esau. Israel will be like a fire and Esau like dry stubble that is set ablaze to cleanse the fields - it will be totally consumed as the fire tears through it. the mention of "Joseph" (i.e. Ephraim standing for the northern nation) means all 12 tribes will be restored, not just Judah. Note the repeated "house" - house of Jacob, house of Edom etc. - it is the old conflict between Jacob and Esau but it is being carried on by their descendants - their family, their household. This ages old conflict will be brought to a final end, having continued for centuries, in the final day - on the day of the LORD when Jacob will finally do away with Esau in accordance with God’s will and purpose. The end of the eternal conflict between spiritual man versus natural man.

– Israel will possess the land (map) "Those of the Negev" refers to the southernmost part of Canaan - after Judah’s defeat it was possessed for a while by the Edomites. Now, in poetic justice, that part of Israel possessed by Edom would take possession of Edom itself. Likewise, those of the Judean foothills (Shephelah) whose land was taken by the Philistines would possess the Philistines’ land on the coastal plain. This is not just Judah but the whole of the land - they will possess the lands of Ephraim, Samaria in the northern kingdom and they will extend their territory over the Jordan - West bank – but also east bank (Gilead) and Lebanon. Land is an issue with יהוה (for those who claim peace is more important than territory). יהוה’s restoration is intimately associated with allotting the right territory to the appropriate people. The injustices of the centuries will be righted - and these injustices have centered on men taking land that is not rightfully theirs. Note the repeated use of "possessִ" - the day of the LORD will be a time of taking possession - receiving the inheritance that is rightfully theirs and which יהוה had promised to the patriarchs. They will possess the land that is rightfully theirs. His promise will not fail! Hallelujah! But on His day He will ensure all His promises are fulfilled and that justice is carried out - each receiving what is rightfully theirs. Those who have taken what is not theirs will be dispossessed.

A Kingdom: All this talk of the Day of the Lord but still on the theme of Esau (v.21) on the judgement of Esau but it is all nations, all men who rely on man. You are either Edom or Israel, Esau or Jacob – natural man or spiritual man, in Adam or in Christ. Simple message: judgement or blessing - one cops it, the other metes out the retribution and possess all that belonged to the other. Which would you rather be? There is a coming day of Wrath! It is my responsibility as a servant of God's word to warn of the truth of that coming and certain event! Deliverers – Israel will need to be rescued – those deliverers will rule. The older will serve the younger (Genesis 25:23 The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb; and two peoples will be separated from your body; and one people shall be stronger than the other; and the older shall serve the younger.”) - weak rule the strong. Deliverers will come to Zion in her day of distress to save her (Nehemiah 9:27 You delivered them into the hand of their oppressors who oppressed them, but when they cried to You in the time of their distress, You heard from heaven, and according to Your great compassion You gave them deliverers who delivered them from the hand of their oppressors.) Saviours/deliverers will "go up" on Mount Zion - righteous judgement will proceed from there. For Jesus will reign from there on His throne over all. Those to whom He has given authority will give judgement. On that day Esau natural man will receive the Divine justice that is its due for all the atrocities it has committed. יהוה will be King over all for ever!! Hallelujah!! (Psalm 14:7 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores His captive people, Jacob will rejoice, Israel will be glad.; Romans 11:26 and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.”). Then Jesus will reign forever! Hallelujah! For the LORD our God, the Almighty reigns!! This is the Gospel, the Good news of the Kingdom – Jesus is coming and He will reign. Praise His Name!