I had mentioned in an earlier post that I'm taking a class at church on the Minor Prophets. This week we studied Obadiah and his warning against Edom (descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob) for aiding those who wanted to destroy Israel. Edom, instead, was itself destroyed.
The prophecy is a warning to other nations as well, not to be aloof to Israel's needs, not to gloat over their misfortunes, or to bring violence to that country. I believe the warning carries even into our present time. The prophecy says not to be as one of them. This is why I think that it's important for America to stand with Israel. So thankful that our current president has turned America's stance back in support of that nation. Otherwise, I believe our doom would be sealed.
From Obadiah 8-14
“Will I not on that day,” declares the Lord,
“Destroy wise men from Edom," ....
"Because of violence to your brother Jacob,
You will be covered with shame,
And you will be cut off forever.
“On the day that you stood aloof,
On the day that strangers carried off his wealth,
And foreigners entered his gate
And cast lots for Jerusalem—
You too were as one of them.
“Do not gloat over your brother’s day,
The day of his misfortune.
And do not rejoice over the sons of Judah
In the day of their destruction;
Yes, do not boast In the day of their distress.
“Do not enter the gate of My people
In the day of their disaster.
Yes, you, do not gloat over their calamity
In the day of their disaster.
And do not loot their wealth
In the day of their disaster.
“Do not stand at the fork of the road
To cut down their fugitives;
And do not imprison their survivors
In the day of their distress.
In the day of their distress.
“For the day of the Lord draws near on all the nations.
As you have done, it will be done to you.
Your dealings will return on your own head."
Your dealings will return on your own head."
Painting ~ A Quiet Read, William K. Blacklock 1872-1924
