epcblog

Devotional thoughts (Monday through Thursday mornings) from the pastor of Exeter Presbyterian Church in Exeter, NH // Sunday Worship 10:30am // 73 Winter Street

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Obadiah

This brief book of Biblical prophecy was written concerning Edom. Even though the Lord speaks to this ancient nation, we are not told that the book was written to Edom. Sometimes the Lord says things regarding His enemies, not necessarily for their correction, but for the encouragement of those who are called to persevere in the midst of the world’s persecution against the church. For this reason, these words can be of help to those in any place and time who face the brutality of those who express their hatred against God by attacking His people.

Nations rise and fall, but the Lord is in charge of the events of history. He is the One who is sending forth His decrees from the heavenly council that determine the affairs of nations. Men think they are in charge. They look at their strategic advantages and imagine themselves to be safer than they are. They do not see their weakness rightly. They miss the danger that has come to them from their pride. God looks on the pride of the sons of men. He knows that their hubris is not an advantage for them. They too easily forget about the Creator of the world, and will imagine that they are beyond defeat because of some natural advantage that they possess. But the Lord can bring them down swiftly.

When God fights against a nation, it is His to decide how they will fare as a result of the attack. What will happen to the Edomites is more than can be explained by the typical results of other military engagements. An unusual destruction is envisioned. In that day, the allies that Edom considered to be their friends will show that they have been deceitful. Those who were thought to be trusted enough to sit around the table with the Edomites and eat with them like brothers, will destroy them with alarming treachery. The wisdom and power of the most accomplished men among the descendants of Esau will not be able to anticipate this trouble nor deliver their countrymen from a horrifying slaughter.

It is a bitter pill for a proud nation to suddenly be destroyed. Why would such a thing happen? The answer is very plain. God is the protector of His covenant people. In today’s language, the nations of the world will one day understand the undeniable love of the Lord for His church. It is easy to understand how those who treat the church with brutality in this age might presume that God has no abiding love for His people. It is easy for the world to misunderstand when the Lord disciplines the ones He loves, and when judgment begins with the household of God. But it is never wise to gloat over people that the Lord has called His special possession. He will stand up for them in the day when He comes to judge. He will bring upon the heads of their enemies the very vengeance that they sought to execute against the church.

The Day of the Lord is coming upon the earth in the return of Jesus Christ, an event that will not be missed. The same event that will mean rescue for the Lord’s church will be a great disaster for those who have persecuted them; those who do not know God and who do not obey the gospel. Proud enemies so often imagine that it is safe to play with the Lord’s sacred possessions. They would presume to get drunk using precious vessels set apart for God’s worship. But the Lord is able to bring all their presumptuous power to nothing in a moment.

What is this destruction of the descendants of Esau? When was this vindication of the sons of Jacob? While there may have been some small taste of what the prophet referred to here in some moment from the histories of Edom and Judah, this prophetic book is speaking about a much bigger battle, a much more wonderful victory, and a far more glorious kingdom than we can find in the annals of the nations of the Ancient Near East.

When the Lord, the Son of David, is ready to come again, His resurrection people will judge the nations according to the righteous judgment of God Almighty. These survivors of the Mount Zion which is above will inherit the earth, and they will face no further attacks from the nations of the world that once tormented them in this age.

Using the names of the enemies of ancient days, Obadiah describes a great victory that will come to the elect of God. They who were once humbled and oppressed by powerful forces that railed against them and abused them will find themselves gloriously exalted in Christ Jesus. The Lord of Glory in that day will be none other than the One who faced the wrath of foolishly proud enemies when He died for our sins on the cross. The Kingdom has been given to the ultimate suffering Servant of the Lord, and He has determined that we who have suffered with Him in this age will also reign with Him in glory in the age to come.

posted by Pastor Magee @ 12:00 AM

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