THE KINGDOM IS THE LORD’S
A short Study on Obadiah – Please read this small book.
A Forgotten Book?
For most an obscure hidden book rarely read!
But it’s part of God’s whole word – has to be read and considered.
Relevant to Today’s Church and Individual Christians.
1Cor 10v6: (Israelites in the wilderness) Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.
The message of Obadiah is:
THE KINGDOM IS THE LORD’S
It must concern us
It must constrain us
Then it will encourage us
4 parts:
v1-4 Power, Self Sufficiency and Illusion
v5-9 The Real Power is in God’s Hands
v10-16 Punishment Awaits the Opposers
v17-21 God Will Always Uphold His People
Obadiah an unknown prophet
Heb: Servant of Jehovah
Prophesying against the nation of Edom
Edom – Judah’s neighbours across the Dead Sea, now Jordan. It was a mountainous region.
They had opposed and hindered God’s people and God’s will
The nation had its origins in Esau, the one God had rejected. (Gen 25v21-6) Twin brothers but separated to their own lands.
READ Amos 1v11: Thus says the Lord: For three transgressions of Edom and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because he pursued his brother with the sword and cast off all pity; his anger rose perpetually and he kept his wrath forever.
Power, Self Sufficiency and Illusion v1-4
The time of retribution by God
Petra – The Red Sandstone city high in the rocks like an impregnable fortress. 3000 feet above sea level. Teman another seemingly impregnable important city.
Rich, on trade routes – passing tolls extracted also.
Secure and strong they thought they were forever invincible.
A terror to their neighbours especially to Judah.
They seemed as if they had it made! And they knew it
They reached for the stars – modern success philosophy
But no hiding place from God. They fell into the dust.
Remember Babel and their collapse – Pride and equality or replacing God
Self sufficiency or God sufficiency?
Governments, Royalty, Councils, Church leaders, Our own hearts? Need to be God centred and God sufficient. No pride no reaching for the stars, but reaching for Gods ways and will.
Sandstone is soft and crumbles with time.
Jesus Christ the solid eternal living Rock!
Where is our love and security?
Is it in ourselves and our not quite secure country? Or is it in God our Lord and Saviour?
Psalm 57v7: My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed. I will sing and give praise.
The Real Power is in God’s Hands v5-9
Thieves, wars – usually something is left.
But here God says there will be nothing left. No remnant to continue the nation.
When invaders plunder the goods and crops, usually they only take the best and valuable. No so for Edom
Impregnable access over narrow ledges in the mountainsides, no easy way to totally plunder Edom.
But God decreed and God made it happen.
They were stripped bare of goods and people. Now today, only the crumbling ruins of Petra remain.
Edom had alliances with other nations. Useless
Many of these nations lived in Edom, eg Chaldeans
They became enemies and spies working within Edom to hasten their downfall.
Military might, powerful leaders, great wisdom
All of no avail against God’s determined will.
Even though a remnant did remain alive – READ Malachi 1v4
Edom were fighting God and were extinguished as a nation. The few survivors were taken captive and absorbed into the invading nations.
Sometimes Christians and Christian organisations can be like Edom and be fighting God with their own wisdom and self sufficiency. Here a timely reminder to all that God is Sovereign and has the final say.
Follow Him or follow the broad road to destruction or loss.
Punishment always awaits God’s Opposers v10-16
Edomites lost no opportunity to oppose God’s people.
Numbers 20v16-21 They refused safe passage through their land and provisions to the Israelites.
2Chron 28v16-17 The Edomites had attacked Judah – one example!
Even though Israel and Judah had been commanded by God not to abhor an Edomite – treat them as brothers, the Edomites never reciprocated.
No help from them when Israel or Judah were attacked. Pleasure seeing their neighbours in trouble.
What about us?
Brotherly love to those in need, esp to fellow Christians.
No back stabbing
No gossip which tears down reputations
A finger of The Comforter alongside our weaker or suffering brethren.
Encouragers, not hinderers. Build up not demolish.
Never be found doing Satan’s work even unwittingly, for we will be opposing God just like the Edomites.
God Upholds His People v17-21
Deliverance for God’s people (Zion)
A new holiness of life
A new fire of the Spirit in hearts
No survivors of Esau, in the midst of God’s people
Ultimate victory by God for His people on earth and eternally in heaven
Captives set free – the Gospel – Gentile and Jew alike
The kingdom will be the Lord’s
It is now, but the Enemy refuses to believe it and fights still
We had better believe it- The Kingdom IS the Lord’s
Jesus is coming again – while there should be spiritual rule within our hearts ie. the kingdom on earth now; there will be total rule by Jesus Christ when He sits on the thrones of earth and the throne of heaven.
Esau his typical sin and opposition to God will be eternally annihilated when Jesus comes to reign and rule.
And the kingdom will be the Lord’s
No maybe’s, a plain statement of truth and fact.
Application
Uphold the standards
Uphold the Scriptural truth
Argue the case against liberalisation in government and church
And having done all to stand!
Prayer
Lord help us to continue standing as lights for you in this land and town. May we have respect and be encouragers to all for the right, especially to our own brothers and sisters. May we never despise anyone but lovingly bring correcting influence.
May we boldly declare Your Kingdom Come, first in our own hearts and lives and then in the church and in our land.
The Kingdom is Yours O Lord!
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