11 May (Obadiah)

Obadiah

In Hebrew, Obadiah means Servant of Yahweh, but we know very little about this prophet. This book is unique in that it prophesies against one particular group of people...the Edomites...who are descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob. Edom is the area we now know as Jordan.

Who are the Palestinians? The Roman Empire called Israel "Palestine" in order to offend the Jews, since the Philitines were there long-time enemies. After the diaspora (the spreading of the Jews to all nations for their sins), the people who came in were called Palestinians. They were given the chance to become Jordan citizens again before Israel took back that part of the land in 1967, but Jordan never took them in. The Palestinians are the sons of Esau, and the Israelis are the sons of Jacob...brothers, but always fighting.

Depending upon your kids' ages, you may want to read Isaiah 63:1-6 before reading Obadiah. Many scholars believe that when Jesus returns, He will first bring His wrath upon Edom in the area called Petra or Bozrah...these are the cliffs we read about in this book. When Esau's descendants made war upon the descendants of Jacob, is where the whole Middle East Crisis started...and that's where it will end!

God has watched the Edomites refuse to help the Jews many times when they were being attacked and persecuted. In fact, they enjoyed it!

God has given them many chances to repent, and help their brother in times of trouble, but they didn't. Now, we see that God has proclaimed them to be wiped out in the last days for their evil and wicked ways.

When reading this little book, remember what God told Abraham in Gen 12:

I will bless those that bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

(v.3) Again, read Isaiah 63:1-6 to reference this verse.

(v.10) The descendants of Esau are the founders of Islam. It is my belief that Islam plays a major role in the Great Tribulation and the days leading up to it. We are getting close, so please make sure you and your family are walking with the LORD...for when He comes the second time, He comes in wrath, not in salvation, for all the saved will be in heaven by then.

(v.12) As God told us in Prov 17:5 and again in Matt 5:44...that we should love our enemies and not laugh at their demise. The old phrase, "But for the grace of God go I" comes to mind!

(v.14) It is my belief that who we call today, Palestinians, were the very ones who assisted Assyria, Babylon and Rome to conquer and persecute the Jews. They plundered and profited from their demise, and God will pay them back for their treachery.

(v.18) This is one of those verses that skeptics cite as to the meanness of the Old Testament God. But what they don't understand, is that God is pure and just, and He can't allow evil and wickedness to prevail. He has watched the cousins of Jacob do wicked things to His people, and He will pay them back with what they deserve...destruction.

This is heavy, and not for young kids' ears yet, but Jesus Himself will destroy the sons of Esau who still persecute and kill the sons of Jacob. Jesus' garment will be red with blood...up to His waist.

The flip side of this is, our God and Creator loves us, and He will personally defend us from evil and wickedness. He fights our battles if we let Him, so give up our pride and give our problems to the Almighty...Jesus!