God Speaks: Obadiah - Accountable Love
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Obadiah was written ???
After the attack of the Babylonians led by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 on Israel.
Accountable Love…
Brothers had issues… growing up I saw him as always looking to get in trouble and he probably saw me as the favored one… I was the baby of the family so I guess he was right
But I was always a little frustrated that he would do things that seemed to deliberately get him in trouble… starting arguments with our parents, doing what they told him not to do… and not hiding it like I did.
We weren’t close by any means, but we were brothers.
When we were in college, we hung out a bit, then on my 21st birthday what began as a celebration, ended with he and I in jail for fighting… each other.
I was having a great night, then something happened and he and I wound up bloody at a road side sobriety stop. The officer looked in and said.... pull up right over there boys.
I was furious with him for years. We didn’t speak for some time. It wasn’t just the fight, it was the things he said before and after the fight that probably cut me the deepest. Not lies, but hearing the truth from his point of view, stung… I had no intention all those years to offend him… he had no intent all those years to offend me… but we did and it became a burden that affected us in real ways.
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Have you ever found yourself there… I don’t mean in the back of a police car on your 21st birthday, but angry that you were getting what they really deserved?
I mean angry with someone years after the event… unable to move past it, unable to forgive?
I mean envious of the recognition of others; feeling that you should be the one recognized for all you have done… all you have accomplished.
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God has found them guilty and they are about to be destroyed. The book of Obadiah is a pronouncement against the Edomite people for their sin … and all who sin like them. But first, let’s look at the back story
If you remember, the story of the Israelites began with a man named Abraham.
“Father Abraham had many sons, many sons had father Abraham...”
God promised Abraham would be the father of a great nation. He and his wife, Sarah, got tired of waiting so Sarah arranged for him to have a son with his servant Hagar… the son was Ishmael. But that’s not what God had in mind. At 90, Sarah got pregnant and had the son God had promised, Isaac.
Isaac at 40 married Rebekah.... The bible says Isaac prayed and she got pregnant.
The babies even in the womb began to fight and she asked God why and God replied:
23 The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”
Came time for the birth, and the first one out had red skin and covered in hair, so they named him Esau. As Esau came into the world, his brother was holding onto his foot. They named him Jacob which meant “heal grabber”.
27 The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents. 28 Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob.
29 Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. 30 He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom.)
31 Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.”
32 “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?”
33 But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.
34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left.
So Esau despised his birthright.
Unbelievable, that he would sell his birthright for soup, Lentil soup at that. But he did and this was a decision that would shape his future.
That’s what many of our life shaping choices are like. In the moment they can be described as a casual thing… but when you take time to look back, they have huge impact on our lives.
God would keep his promise to bless the children of Isaac. In fact, Esau would be blessed.... just as Jacob… yet Esau would always know that Jacob was more favored; Jacob got what belonged to him. It would be something that he would never completely get over.
But when you think about it, his problem isn’t with his brother Israel. His problem is with the one who gives out blessings. That’s how
Lesson 1: God is in control of his blessings
Lesson 1: God is in control of his blessings
It’s grace
The thing that hinders God from blessing you is you
23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
“You haven’t asked”
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I heard someone say one time, “the one who prevents you from experiencing God’s blessings is you.”
God is in control of his blessings, but he wants to bless his children. Humble yourself before God and ask him.
Instead, too often we are envious of what others have or how God works in their lives instead of mine… Their church is bigger - Their kids have higher grades, on the travel team, in a better college, make more money - Their vacations are better; - They get to play golf in retirement and I have to work…on and on
Think about it.... God as the creator of the universe. Decides to bless one more than another… God decides to make one his, and the one not chosen decides to get angry because God chose them. Then instead of taking their issue to God, they take it out on the one chosen.
That’s a source of much conflict, envy. Envy is a result of pride. I’m envious of what they have because I dont’ think they deserve it, in facct I deserve it… I I I me me me ..... Envy is caused by pride.
You see how their story sort of becomes our story.... let’s get back to Genesis...
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Soon after Jacob would leave his father’s family. He went away to his uncle to find a wife and his uncle tricked him into working over 14 years for him. He married two of his daughters in the process.
Jacob was very prosperous while working with his uncle, so much so, that he returned to his fathers land. On the way back he encountered God… in fact scripture says one night he wrestled with God and wouldn’t let go and that night God changed Jacob’s name to Israel.
When he got back, he made amends with his brother Esau. At least it seemed that way… but apparently not to Esau. You ever have that happen… where you move past something but they don’t… You never say anything about it and you leave them to stew on it. Get it… stew… lentil stew… Esau hadn’t forgotten, even though he wasn’t angry any more… he wouldn’t forget.
Esau you see would eventually leave his fathers land because it would be Israel’s.
His descendants would become the Edomites, living in Edom. Fitting place for a man with reddish skin to settle in a land of red mountains. The Edomites who lived southeast of Judah, identified Esau as their ancestor and would live in conflict with their brothers in Israel… seeming to take on Esau’s attitude with Jacob and applying it to the people Israel.
Edomites would be enemies of Israel…their brothers for generations.
Numbers 20 accounts when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, it was the kings of Edom who refused to allow the Israelites to pass through their land.
All throughout the reign of Saul and David, there are battles against the Edomites until David captures them and they become his subjects.... just like God told Isaac and Rebekah when the boys were born.
This would go on until the 8th century when Edom would regain it’s independence from Judah through war.
Sometime after the Edomites build their capital city in what we know as Petra. A city in the red cliffs, that stands today as a beautiful city.
Petra
A city that was rumored to be defensible by only 12 archers because of it’s location in the cliffs.
Petra entrance
This is described by Obadiah in vs 2-4
2 “See, I will make you small among the nations; you will be utterly despised. 3 The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ 4 Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” declares the Lord.
In those days to have a city so well protected would be something to be proud of for sure. But what’s the saying.... pride goes before the fall
Lesson 2: Pride is deceptive and dangerous
Lesson 2: Pride is deceptive and dangerous
Pride had convinced them they could do not be reached; their defenses were to great. But they were wrong. But that’s what pride does, when we start to believe our own press.
Pride is deceptive and dangerous
Pride reminds us how good things are… obviously we are doing it right… right?
When we look at our lives and see that we have been blessed, instead of just being thankful, Pride tells us that God doesn’t care how we live… how we worship.
Pride tells us that our behaviors aren’t that bad
God is blessing us right, so let’s just put questions marks in scripture where God put periods.
4 Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” declares the Lord.
Obadiah goes on to remind the people that when Israel was attacked by the Babylonians, instead of assisting their brother, they raided the city looting it of it’s treasure and handing over captives to Babylon.
11 On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them.
We understand how the Edomites disliked Israel, but that doesn’t make it ok to mistreat people.... just because we understand it.
12 You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble. 13 You should not march through the gates of my people in the day of their disaster, nor gloat over them in their calamity in the day of their disaster, nor seize their wealth in the day of their disaster.
That’s the third lesson we learn from the Edomites...
Lesson 3: God cares how we treat other people
Lesson 3: God cares how we treat other people
God loves you and knows that bitterness will destroy you - that’s why he teaches us to forgive. Bitterness is fermented unforgiveness. It comes as with time.
So maybe you didn’t have a jerk brother like my brother did… or I did. But for you it’s someone else, a family member, a coworker, a neighbor who offended or wronged you and you’re not over it yet.
Offended/wronged you and you’re not over it yet?
You might have a right… but it’s better to let it go
Forgive quickly, the longer we carry unforgiveness the harder our hearts become… that’s bitterness.
They have something you think you deserve, and since you can’t move past it, you wallow your jealousy becomes bitterness. And then you begin to see the whole world is against you… when in fact you are pushing the the whole world away. People aren’t against you, it’s just that they try to avoid you.
Bitterness you see isn’t just about the one you have problems with. Whether your problem is with God or someone else, you allow that bitterness into other relationships.
44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Look at that again... “love your enemies.... so that...”
God chooses how and when to bless your life… it’s not up to us to decide who’s life is better, we get this one to live. And how we live this life matters because God cares how we treat other people.
It’s not just about the Edomites.
15 “The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.
God’s declaration against the Edomites wasn’t just about them. As vs 15 states, The day of the Lord would be against all the nations. As you have done it will be done to you” The day of judgement wasn’t limited to Edom. The pride and envy of Edom is shared by other nations. Let’s face it, pride and envy are realities that we struggle against today. But that is sin and and God promised to bring judgement.
Obadiah closes out with a description of how God’s people would one day occupy the lands. God’s people, redeemed from far away places would one day be delivered.
Accountable Love
Accountable Love
The fact is, Edom’s story is our story.
We shouldn’t be prideful of our national might… we shouldn’t be prideful of our personal status. Because pride paves the way to destruction. The proper attitude is thankful.
The simple truth is that God loves us too much to leave sin unaccounted for.
Living in pride and envy would be run out of creation
Because he loves us, knowing that the pride and envy were a trap for every nation… and person
Jesus came to be our accountable love
Prayer:
Prayer:
Pastors and local churches
Adoptive and foster families
Commitment to our vision to become backyard missionaries
Our neighbors
Our church leaders, conference, denomination
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And so,
L: With your people on earth
L: And all the company of heaven
L: We praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
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L: Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ.
L: By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection
L: You gave birth to your church,
L: Delivered us from slavery to sin and death,
L: And made with us a new covenant
L: By water and the Spirit.
L: On the night in which he gave himself up for us,
L: He took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread,
L: Gave it to his disciples, and said:
L: "Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you.
L: Do this is remembrance of me."
L: When the supper was over, he took the cup,
L: Gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said:
L: "Drink from this, all of you;
L: This is my blood of the new covenant,
L: Poured out for you and for many
L: For the forgiveness of sins.
L: Do this, as often as you drink it,
L: In remembrance of me."
L: And so,
L: In remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
L: We offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving
L: As a holy and living sacrifice,
L: In union with Christ's offering for us,
L: As we proclaim the mystery of faith.
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
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L: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here,
L: And on these gifts of bread and wine.
L: Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ,
L: That we may be for the world the body of Christ,
L: Redeemed by his blood.
L: By your Spirit make us one with Christ,
L: One with each other,
L: And one in ministry to all the world,
L: Until Christ comes in final victory
L: And we feast at his heavenly banquet.
L: Through your Son Jesus Christ,
L: With the Holy Spirit in your holy church,
L: All honor and glory is yours, almighty Father,
L: Now and for ever.
ALL: Amen.
L: And now, with the confidence of children of God, let us pray: