The prophet Obadiah is prophesying in a time when Israel is cast off by God and placed in exile by the evil conquering Babylonians. Edom assisted Babylon in the destruction of Jerusalem. God pronounces throughout the book that this was a bad idea on the part of the Edomites. They will be punished by God for their part in destroying God's people and their land (Obadiah 1-15).
Israel, at this time in their history, must have been wondering if God had cast them off forever. Could God forget His promise to Abraham that "in you all the nations of the earth shall be blessed" (Genesis 12:3)? Obadiah answers this question with his closing statement, "Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lord's" (Obadiah 21). God's Kingdom rules and will continue to rule through Abraham's seed, Israel, the family line of Judah, and the Davidic dynasty. God will reign from Jerusalem (Obadiah 21). This redemptive reign of God will be inaugurated through the sacrifice of the Messiah which will also fulfill the promise to Abraham, Israel, Judah, and David. The Kingdom shall be the Lord's.
It is easy to get discouraged through life. Israel was put into slavery, but God promised them hope through a coming Messiah that would finally deliver them. Everything about life is difficult. Marriage is difficult. Jobs are difficult. Friendships are difficult. However, when our marriages get difficult we look to Jesus. When our jobs get difficult we look to Jesus. When our friendships get difficult we look to Jesus. Why? Because our hope is not in a pastor, a friend, a spouse, or in anything or anyone else. Our hope is found in Christ alone! God I pray that when I am disappointed by something or someone that I would remember that my hope is in Jesus alone. Amen.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Justice Prevails II
The Lord was patient with Israel (Amos 8:2). However, His patience will not continue any longer. He has warned them through the prophets. He will now bring destruction on Israel (Amos 8:2-3). There is nowhere that they can go that the Lord will not find them (Amos 9:1-4).
Who is this God of justice that will no longer allow Israel, or anyone else for that matter, to turn their backs on Him? The sinners of Israel He will confront, but He will preserve a faithful remnant. Why? Because it is not about Israel, it is for the sake of God's name among all nations (Ezekiel 36). How is God going to use Israel to spread the glory of His name? He is going to raise up the tabernacle of David (Amos 9:11). This was always Israel's purpose. Acts 15:16-17 says "After this I will return and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up; so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord. Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does all these things". James is quoting and applying Amos 9:11-12. This means that David's fallen tent being raised points to the resurrection of Christ and that "all the nations" will be included in the reign of the Messiah.
Hebrews 1:1-2 says, "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds". Listen to Jesus. Justice will prevail. Sinners will not go unpunished. God has warned us through Jesus coming in the flesh. He will punish those who do not follow Him. However, Jesus has died to forgive sinners and He has been raised as proof that He is the Messiah, the tent of David. God will always raise up a faithful remnant to follow Him and spread His glory to all nations.
God please help me to remember that You have spoken to us through Your Word. You have put my punishment on Jesus. Let this be a daily reminder to me that my ministry is never for my glory, but for Your glory and praise alone. You will bring out a faithful remnant through the spreading of the glory of Jesus to all nations. Amen.
Who is this God of justice that will no longer allow Israel, or anyone else for that matter, to turn their backs on Him? The sinners of Israel He will confront, but He will preserve a faithful remnant. Why? Because it is not about Israel, it is for the sake of God's name among all nations (Ezekiel 36). How is God going to use Israel to spread the glory of His name? He is going to raise up the tabernacle of David (Amos 9:11). This was always Israel's purpose. Acts 15:16-17 says "After this I will return and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up; so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord. Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does all these things". James is quoting and applying Amos 9:11-12. This means that David's fallen tent being raised points to the resurrection of Christ and that "all the nations" will be included in the reign of the Messiah.
Hebrews 1:1-2 says, "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds". Listen to Jesus. Justice will prevail. Sinners will not go unpunished. God has warned us through Jesus coming in the flesh. He will punish those who do not follow Him. However, Jesus has died to forgive sinners and He has been raised as proof that He is the Messiah, the tent of David. God will always raise up a faithful remnant to follow Him and spread His glory to all nations.
God please help me to remember that You have spoken to us through Your Word. You have put my punishment on Jesus. Let this be a daily reminder to me that my ministry is never for my glory, but for Your glory and praise alone. You will bring out a faithful remnant through the spreading of the glory of Jesus to all nations. Amen.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Justice Prevails
The prophet Amos writes to his contemporaries in Israel. They are in a time of great wealth and prosperity. However, Amos observes how Israel is using their wealth to oppress the poor and put many into slavery. Israel was also known for their sexual immorality at this time.
God was tired of the sins of the nations. His patience was running out on the sins of the pagan nations around Israel. Gaza, Edom, Damascus, and Moab will not be spared any longer. They are evil and God will punish evil. I can see it. Israel and Judah applauding Amos now for these prophesies. Israel would have been ecstatic to know that God was finally going to punish the sins of the surrounding nations.
Then Amos proclaims "for three transgressions of Israel and for four I will not revoke its punishment" (Amos 2:6). How could God punish Israel? It is simple. God hates sin. They turned their backs on God and He would bring punishment on them. Israel oppressed the poor, committed sexual immorality, and put many into slavery (Amos 2:7-16). God loved them and they turned their backs on Him.
God warned Israel and He is warning us today. God has decided to demonstrate His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Many who call themselves followers of Jesus and openly and unrepentantly deny the poor, the widow, the orphan, commit sexual immorality, and take advantage of others will be told by Jesus, "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:23). God must and will punish those who do not turn from their sins and follow Jesus in a real eternal place called Hell. God loves us and so I plead with you not to turn your back on Him and His offer of salvation. Turn from your sin and follow Jesus. Please do not misunderstand. Abstaining from sexual immorality and doing good things will not save you. Only Jesus does that. So again please follow Jesus.
The first three chapters of Amos have helped me more fully realize how much God hates sin, but also how much our sin "weighs down" God (Amos 2:13). Our sins are a burden to God. Paul says in the New Testament that our sins grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). If we have made the decision to turn from our sins and follow Jesus then we must begin to understand that God hates sin so much that He became human flesh and died on the cross so that He could forgive our sins. The Bible likens our willingness to turn back to sinful habits to a dog returning to his vomit (2 Peter 2:22). God help me to realize more fully today how much You hate my sin and help me today to turn from sin and fully follow after You so that Your name would be glorified through my body becoming a living sacrifice for Your purposes and for Your glory. Amen.
God was tired of the sins of the nations. His patience was running out on the sins of the pagan nations around Israel. Gaza, Edom, Damascus, and Moab will not be spared any longer. They are evil and God will punish evil. I can see it. Israel and Judah applauding Amos now for these prophesies. Israel would have been ecstatic to know that God was finally going to punish the sins of the surrounding nations.
Then Amos proclaims "for three transgressions of Israel and for four I will not revoke its punishment" (Amos 2:6). How could God punish Israel? It is simple. God hates sin. They turned their backs on God and He would bring punishment on them. Israel oppressed the poor, committed sexual immorality, and put many into slavery (Amos 2:7-16). God loved them and they turned their backs on Him.
God warned Israel and He is warning us today. God has decided to demonstrate His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Many who call themselves followers of Jesus and openly and unrepentantly deny the poor, the widow, the orphan, commit sexual immorality, and take advantage of others will be told by Jesus, "I never knew you" (Matthew 7:23). God must and will punish those who do not turn from their sins and follow Jesus in a real eternal place called Hell. God loves us and so I plead with you not to turn your back on Him and His offer of salvation. Turn from your sin and follow Jesus. Please do not misunderstand. Abstaining from sexual immorality and doing good things will not save you. Only Jesus does that. So again please follow Jesus.
The first three chapters of Amos have helped me more fully realize how much God hates sin, but also how much our sin "weighs down" God (Amos 2:13). Our sins are a burden to God. Paul says in the New Testament that our sins grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). If we have made the decision to turn from our sins and follow Jesus then we must begin to understand that God hates sin so much that He became human flesh and died on the cross so that He could forgive our sins. The Bible likens our willingness to turn back to sinful habits to a dog returning to his vomit (2 Peter 2:22). God help me to realize more fully today how much You hate my sin and help me today to turn from sin and fully follow after You so that Your name would be glorified through my body becoming a living sacrifice for Your purposes and for Your glory. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)