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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Sunday, 12 November 2023:
Note: His is a short video overview of Obadiah: https://youtu.be/i4ogCrEoG5s
Obadiah 1:3, 10-13, 15 — The pride of your heart has deceived you…. Because of the violence done to your brother… shame shall cover you…. On the day that you stood aloof, on the day that strangers carried off his wealth… you were like one of them. But do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune…. Do not enter the gate of my people in the day of their calamity…. For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.
When was the last time you heard a sermon preached from Obadiah? When was the last time you heard the book referenced at all? Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, but it is full of valuable truths and lessons very applicable to us today, specifically concerning how we honor or dishonor God by how we treat others, and God’s judgment upon those who dishonor God by mistreating others.
Obadiah deals with God’s judgment upon the Edomites for pridefully mistreating the Israelites during their time of distress when they were conquered by Babylon. The bad blood between the Edomites and the Israelites began with their respective patriarchs, the brothers Edom and Israel (Jacob), and continued throughout the generations. (See Genesis 25-27) Though these nations had a familial connection, having both descended from Abraham and Isaac, they despised one another and were in constant conflict. (see Exodus 15:15; Numbers 20:14-20; 1 Samuel 14:47; 2 Samuel 8:14; 1 Kings 11:15; and 2 Kings 8:20-22) When Babylon conquered Israel, Edom took advantage of the situation and plundered Israelite cities while abusing and murdering many Israelite refugees. (see also Psalm 137:7; Ezekiel 35; Amos 1:6-9) God’s pronounces judgment upon Edom – “You shall be cut off forever.” However, through Obadiah, God extends His pronouncement of Judgment to all nations and peoples – “For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.” (Obadiah 1:15)
Consider the parallel between Obadiah 1:15 and The Lord’s Prayer – “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12) God expects us to treat others the way we want God to treat us, with unconditional love, grace and mercy. Fully dependent on God’s unmerited grace paid for by the blood of Christ, we are not in a position to respond to others with anything other than grace. Today’s readings explain that a lack of grace on our part is merely sinful pride – “The pride of your heart has deceived you….”
“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) “For the love of Christ controls us….” (2 Corinthians 5:14) “…the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge….” (Ephesians 3:19) The motivation for the unmerited grace and love we give to others is the unmerited grace and love we have received through Christ, and as His love defies human reason, so should ours as we glorify Him in how we treat others. Jesus said, “I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful…. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:27-38)
God expects radical and proactive love from us, particularly towards the unloving who need Christ in their lives. God condemned the Edomites because when their difficult neighbor stood in need, they “stood aloof” and even gloated. Though we should fight for justice, if in our hearts we want sinners to “get what they deserve,” we have a heart problem. If we are standing aloof, failing to proclaim the Gospel to those who need to hear it, regardless how they treat us, we have a heart problem. Does Obadiah speak to you today?
Psalm 131:1, 2 — I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.
It shouldn’t be hard to comprehend that we simple humans cannot possibly understand what the Creator is thinking or doing, unless, of course, He reveals His will in a way we can understand. Yet still. The vast majority of His works are beyond us, and we would have better luck trying to explain space travel to dogs than we would understanding the ways of God. So, for most things in life, we must simply trust God. Trust grows the more you know Him. If you doubt, it is a relationship problem.
Psalm 131:3-5 — Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies! Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it.
Christians must strive to have a teachable spirit. It is usually pride that gets in the way. Today’s Proverbs tell us that wisdom starts with the “fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 1:7) and warns us to avoid the way of the fool – fools refuse to listen in humility. Best to fill your mind with the word of God, and surround yourself with righteous people who love you enough to hold you accountable to God’s word. Do you have an accountability partner who will coach you through life in truth?
Psalm 132:7 — Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool!
The dwelling place is in your heart and spirit. Worship God all day long where you are.
Psalm 132:9, 10 – Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let your saints shout for joy. For the sake of your servant David, do not turn away the face of your anointed one.
The Bible says that we are the priests, and we are also the temple. Be clothed in righteousness and do not turn away today from Jesus.
Proverbs 12: Today’s proverbs speak of the wise person’s approach to building economic security. First, a wise person does not make deceptive wages and does not get rich taking advantage of others (Proverbs 12:2). A wise person’s integrity produces stability in all areas of life. (Proverbs 12:3). I wise person marries well (Proverbs 12:4). The wise don’t just jump from one thing to the next; they do long-range planning and follow their plan without distraction, though remaining ready to follow God’s unexpected redirection (Proverbs 12:5). The wise person is guided by sound thinking that comes from years of Spirit-led character development, and because of his/her outstanding character, (s)he gains a great reputation. (Proverbs 12:8). The wise person does not spend money to impress others or pretend to be wealthy; rather, the wise person uses money to provide for self and others and to build (Proverbs 12:9). The wise person has a giving heart and uses growing resources to further provide for others (Proverbs 12:10). The wise do not pursue get rich quick schemes and are not driven by the need for instant gratification. Rather, the wise work diligently day by day to build wealth little by little over time. His wealth is built the old-fashioned way – with his hands (Proverbs 12:11, 12). The wise person learns to work well with others, deals patiently and honestly in all relationships, and accepts the counsel of other wise Christians (Proverbs 12:13-19). The wise pursue peace, knowing that conflicts destroy (Proverbs 12:20). The wise mind their own business and do not get entangled in worthless arguments (Proverbs 12:23). A wise person works hard, does not worry, and avoids friendships with the ungodly (Proverbs 12:24-27). The wise person stays on the path of life.
Proverbs 12 compares the attributes of the righteous person with the attributes of the foolish person. Read this chapter and see which attributes apply to you. Do you love discipline (v1)? Do you see God’s favor in your life (v2)? Are you firmly grounded and strong (v3)? Are you in iron-sharpens-iron, honorable relationships (v4)? Are your thoughts pure, holy, and wise; and do you give sound counsel (v5)? Do your words rescue and heal people rather than destroy them and hurt them (vs6, 18)? Are you commended for your good sense (v8)? Do you live well within your means, without concern about impressing others (v9)? Are equally kind to the lowliest people (v 10)? Are you hard working (vs11, 24, 27)? Do you focus on doing the best you can rather than worrying about what everyone else is doing and rather than becoming envious or jealous (vs12, 14)? Are you always truthful, even in the smallest ways (vs13, 17, 18, 22)? Do you humbly listen to the advice of others (v15)? Do you hold your emotions and ignore insults (v16)? Do you plan to make peace with all others rather than adding friction (v20)? Do you speak the truth only when it is helpful and brings peace and reconciliation (v 23)? Do you always comfort others in distress (v25)? Do your words and guidance always lead people to a better place and closer to Jesus (vs26, 28)?
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 12 November 2023: Love your enemies today and proclaim the Gospel.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 