Obadiah- Servant of Yahweh

Let’s grab a cup of coffee, jump into the Word, and talk to Jesus. I had a random generator choose a book and chapter of the Bible for me to dive into this morning. Today, it landed on Obadiah. I decided to choose 3 verses that I wanted to decipher further, and then discussed my takeaways with the Lord. Before I share my takeaways, I would love it if you would join me in reading Obadiah. Go read Obadiah; choose 3 verses, and then meet back here!

Here is a little bit of a backstory of the book before we get into the 3 verses I chose for today. This is the shortest Old Testament book with only one chapter. It is written by Obadiah, whose name means servant of Yahweh. The Book of Obadiah is a prophetic revelation from God that focuses on the downfall of the nation of Edom. Obadiah's message is a warning to Edom for their pride, arrogance, and mistreatment of their neighbors, particularly the people of Israel. As a whole, this book was designed to comfort Judah, showing that God will defend them and overcome their enemies. To Edom, and other nations, it is a warning that God will punish them for aggression against Israel. And for all believers, it provides encouragement that God will defend His people. Let’s move on to the 3 verses the Lord placed on my heart today.

Obadiah 1:3, "The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, who will bring me down to the ground?" The pride of the Edomites heart made them believe that they were indestructible. Their position in the clefts of the rock suggests that their natural defenses gave them the illusion of security. Their arrogance prevented them from acknowledging their weakness, learning from their mistakes, and adapting to changing circumstances. For me, this verse reminded me of times that I get too comfortable or complacent in life. There are so many times in life that things are going well that I tend to forget that I need God. I take credit for my own successes and forget that He is the one that provides all the blessings in my life. This verse sheds light on the danger of pride and arrogance, cautioning us against becoming too self-assured and independent. It highlights the importance of humility and gratitude, emphasizing that true strength lies in recognizing and honoring the role of God in our lives. God opposes the proud and arrogant and sometimes we need a dramatic reminder of that. Let this verse serve as a gentle yet firm nudge to realign our perspective and rekindle our connection with the source of all goodness and grace. Let’s move on to the next verse.

Obadiah 1:12, "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." This verse implies that the Edomites took pleasure in the downfall of Judah. The Lord calls us to compassion and love, even towards our enemies. It can be so tempting and easy to rejoice when our enemies face tribulations, but God calls us to pray blessings over our enemies. Not only to pray it, but to truly mean it. This is something that I tend to struggle with daily. It causes me to turn from the desires of my own heart and instead pursue the desires of God's. It requires that I let go of resentment, anger, and the desire of revenge that my flesh has a tendency to cling to. Instead, I need to see their worth and who they are through the eyes of God. Let’s move on to the third and final verse.

Obadiah 1:15," 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." The time is coming when God will ultimately judge all nations. This verse should act as both a warning and a comfort to us. It can serve as a reminder that one day we will have to stand before our Savior and give an account for all of our actions and words. However, when we feel we are being treated unfairly it also important to note that though this life may not seem fair, God will ultimately judge and make all things right.

As we wrap up this book, it has me thinking about all the passages in the Bible that are a powerful testament of God's unwavering love, kindness, infinite mercy, patience, and understanding. While these traits are all absolutely true, it is crucial that we do not forget that God also hates sin and will ultimately judge those who oppose Him. While God's love and forgiveness is boundless, His justice demands a reckoning for those who choose to defy His commandments. This book brings our attention to of the balance between grace and judgment, emphasizing the significance of living in accordance with His teachings while also seeking repentance and forgiveness for transgressions.