July 1: Obadiah 1, Psalm 82, 83

July 1, Obadiah 1, Psalm 82, 83

Obadiah 1 Obadiah brings a vision - a supernatural message he received from God to Edom. Edom is the tribe that belonged to Esau, Jacob’s brother. Israel (Jacob) and Edom (Esau) have had conflict since Genesis 27 when Jacob acted like he was Esau to get the blessing from Jacob their dad. According to history, Edom symbolically represents those who are against God, so this is two-fold. The Day of the Lord is coming and He will have justice. 

God is declaring war on Edom. Because of their pride and arrogance, God will bring them down. Edom will be completely plundered. Because Edom didn't take care of Judah when it could have, they will fall. 

God gives Edom strict warnings about what not to do because God is the ultimate Judge and the day of the Lord will come upon all nations. “As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.” God’s people in exile will return and possess all their land and God will have it all.

Psalm 82 Human rulers must fear God, because they too will come under his judgement. I know this Psalm can be somewhat confusing, but the Reformation Study Bible paraphrases the ‘gods’ wording very well, “As judges, people may call you ‘lord,’ but you are as mortal as anyone else.” Rulers who disobey are fall as well.

Psalm 83 We need to pray our enemies open their eyes to Christ through their hardships. We are not to pray them to hell, but that they too would come to know the truth and the knowledge that Yahweh is the only 1 true God. “Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O Lord. Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace, that they may know that you alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.” Isn't that an incredible prayer? Fill them with shame so they may seek You God! 

To sum it all up:

• We can look forward to the Day of the Lord - if He is your God. We can have hope for that day and we will be with the Lord someday in Glory!
• We need to call upon the Lord, whatever our status is and not disobey what He is calling us to. Get to it!
• There are spiritual battles all around us, we need to pray that in those, God will deliver us and open the eyes of our enemies