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Devotional
Weekly Bible Devotion By Books
JULY 31- Aug 5, 2023
Enter the Presence of the Lord
(Psalm 108, 72)
I will give thanks to you, o Lord, among the people
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your steadfast love is great above the heavens,
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Confession
Righteous Lord, we feel grieved for the everyday news we heard. The poor, the oppressed, the needy, the weak are around our world. The oppressors, the slanders, the accusers, the scorners crushed the people in their arrogance, pride and violence. They rejoiced in others’ failures and troubles. Where is righteousness? Where is justice? O, Lord, you are our hope. Come, to do wonderous things. When you reign, we will live in peace. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ.
Scripture Reading
Obadiah: 1:1a; 12, 17, 21
1: 1a The vision of Obadiah. This is what the Sovereign Lord says about Edom
12 You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble.
17 But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance.
21 Deliverers will go up on Mount Zion to govern the mountains of Esau. And the kingdom will be the Lord’s.
Thoughts to share: My defender, My Justice, My Blesser
At first glance, it is hard for our 21th century people to understand the significance that the book of Obadiah was included in the Old Testament. But when we dig in a little bit about who Edom was, we will find that the Holy Spirit worked through this book unmistakably.
In Genesis, three times the verses stressed that Esau is Edom. He went out from Canna to Seir, a hilly area. Esau lost his birthright and blessings as the first son to Jacob. Though Esau forgave Jacob, Esau’s decedents and Jacob’s descendants continued the conflict. Because of the strategic location, Esau was a popular player in alliance of international powers. Edom became strong and independent from Judah during Judah King Jorohem at 9thc B.C..
In this small book, we learn-
First, God rebuked the sins of the Edom. While Judah was going through the most difficult times, Edom allied with other powers to add one more punch on Judah. They robbed, plundered, insulted verbally. They cut off the fugitives and handed over the survivors to the powers. They rejoiced over Judah’s misfortune, distress, and ruins. They did not have compassion and pity to their brotherly Judah. God saw his Judah people were attacked beyond he allowed. He saws those deeds and heart attitudes as sin. Therefore, he would execute judgement on Edom and gave justice for his own people. God was a judge.
Secondly, though Judah was under God’s judgement, this book shows that God affirmed his own election and blessings of house of Jacob over the house of Esau, so the election of Judah over Edom. God was the defender of Judah. His defending Judah was his preparation for the coming Jesus. Later we were told that Jesus came out of Judah house. God’s salvation plan was through Judah house.
So, what can the believers in the 21 century learn from this book? I believe that two things can be pointed out.
First, God watches and cares our relations in the world – with our believer fellows and with outsiders. He let justice rule our relations. He is our defender. He affirms the election and blessings to his own children. He deals with us in his justice and unfailing love.
Second, God watches and cares how we treat people- with our believer fellows and with outsiders. Our heart condition, our motivation, and our action are in his supervision. It is important to him how we deal with hatred, discord and how to deal with the less fortunate. In the Gospel of Jesus Christ, there is a salvation to transform our emotional state and interpersonal relations. The New Testament teaches a lot in these areas.
Prayer suggestions
Are we in any troubling emotions and relations? Do a self-reflection. Any repentance should we have? Any justice should we call for? Bring all to the Lord.
Lord of Justice and Compassion, thank you for the privileges and blessings of being your sons and daughters. May you reign over our being- our thoughts, our feelings, our acts so that we can reflect you. May you reign our relations with others too. Defend and restore justice to us in the unfairness we are treated. Give peace back to us. We will rejoice in your righteousness and justice. Thank you. Amen.
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