From Obadiah
As with the judgments weve seen previous the LORD also promises restoration. Obadiah predicts the return of Judah and Israel. As we know the LORD is faithful to these promises and they return to the land. Edom has been punished.
This post is part of my bible in a year series.
Passage and Comments
One of the early promises made to Abraham and his offspring was that vengeance would be brought upon those who cursed them.
3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. (Gen 12.3)
The LORD takes his promises seriously. After these promises are made, the LORD brings Israel to the promised land. but they persist in wrongdoing in the land. So the LORD in meeting his covenant obligation to curse Israel for disobedience (Dt 28.15-68; esp Dt 28.63-64), exiled them to another land.
10 Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob,
shame shall cover you,
and you shall be cut off forever.
11 On the day that you stood aloof,
on the day that strangers carried off his wealth
and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem,
you were like one of them.
12 But do not gloat over the day of your brother
in the day of his misfortune;
do not rejoice over the people of Judah
in the day of their ruin;
do not boast
in the day of distress.
13 Do not enter the gate of my people
in the day of their calamity;
do not gloat over his disaster
in the day of his calamity;
do not loot his wealth
in the day of his calamity.
14 Do not stand at the crossroads
to cut off his fugitives;
do not hand over his survivors
in the day of distress. (Ob 1.10-14)
At this point Edom looks on as they are being punished and gloats. So the LORD steps in to make sure his people are respected, despite the fact that they are being punished for thir own sins.
The lesson here is not to gloat over people when they are punished, especially if they are God’s people. Its wiser to learn from their example and fear the LORD.
Story of Israel
As with the judgments weve seen previous the LORD also promises restoration. Obadiah predicts the return of Judah and Israel. As we know the LORD is faithful to these promises and they return to the land. Edom has been punished.
Story of Jesus
When Jesus comes, there are judgments executed on various people as well. People ask Jesus about this and its possible they may be falling into Edom’s error.
13 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Lk 13.1-5)
Whether they looked on and felt superior, we dont know.
Whether they also had their own sins to repent of, probably.
Were they gloating over the punishment of these people? They didn’t seem to care about them, yes.
Do we often see others rightfully punished? When that happens, how do we respond? Dont gloat, fear the LORD.
Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2014. All Rights Reserved.
