King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]
Date: Thursday, June 30, 2022
Chapters: THE BOOK OF OBADIAH, PSALMS 82-83
Study: A Protective God
Hello My Friend,
There is something incredible about God that I think we tend to forget, especially if we are seeing His judgments, while God is a just God and a merciful God, He is also a protective God. God may chasten us, but He will defend us for eternity, that is as long as Jesus is our Saviour, [2 Thessalonians 1:6-8 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:]
As the world is getting more corrupt, and Christian prosecution is at an all time high, many Christians, especially those captive to godless nations, are left wondering where God is, and why He does not do something. We can learn a lot from the rise and fall of Israel, if only all nations would get in His Word, and study their history they would see what they need to do to end the judgment. Now, with Israel in a total disaster after Ahab died, and Judah facing war as Jehoshaphat seeks to get it back under God’s rule, many started to wonder where God was. That was when this Psalm was written.
[Psalms 82:1-5,8 A Psalm of Asaph. God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods. 2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. 3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked. 5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.]
[for thou shalt inherit all nations.] Believe it or not, God, is in charge of every nation, even the heathen nations. That does not mean that He allows them to be wicked, it means that He will use wicked nations to judge His people, then He will deal with them accordingly, [Romans 9:21-24 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, 24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?]
God did not limit all His power, love, grace, and judgment to just the children of Jacob, who is Israel, He gives everyone the same opportunities, He just used and still uses them as an example. And I tell you what, as many times as the children of Israel had turned their backs on God, you can truly see just how merciful God is. Since God brought the Israelites, who we know as the Jews, not to be confused with the Jewish religion, rather the children of Israel (Jacob), from Egypt into Israel (Canaan), He has always protected that country. Why? Because He gave it to them. I believe that He also gave America to the His people, the true Christians, and just like He will protect Israel no matter how ridiculous they get, He will protect America, at least, until Jesus returns, [Luke 18:6-8 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?]
The Book of Obadiah is the smallest book of the Old Testament, having one chapter and only twenty-one verses, but it sends a powerful message. The author of the book is Obadiah and it was written to Edom, descendants of Esau and brother of Jacob. The timeline for these events took place approximately 900 BC and 880 BC. The purpose of the book was to warn Edom of God’s punishment for going against Israel. What we are to learn from the book is that God brings down every nation that has sinfully exalts themselves, [Obadiah 1:4 Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.]
Remember, Edom, this is Esau, Jacob’s brothers descendants, and how they got their name has to do with Esau selling his birthright to Jacob for a mere bowl of soup, [Genesis 25:29-33 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: 30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. 31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. 32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? 33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.]
Obadiah, was in the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the time that Ahab reigned and it was near impossible to find a person who followed God there. While it was being judged with famines and other calamities, Edom was conspiring to take the land for themselves. Of course, God, who sees and knows everything, was not happy with what they were doing, therefore, He sent judgment upon them. These were the visions God had given Obadiah concerning Edom, [Obadiah 1:1-4 The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle. 2 Behold, I have made thee small among the heathen: thou art greatly despised. 3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? 4 Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD.]
[The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee,] I know I referenced Cain yesterday, but this is the very same thing, [Genesis 4:3-7 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.]
Many people believe that God did not respect Cains offering because it was not a blood sacrifice, I believe that it had more to do with the fact that his offering was not sincere. I say that because when God had given the Law to Moses, He gave everyone the opportunity for atonement, even if all they had to offer was some grain.
[Leviticus 5:6-7,11,13 And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD for his sin which he hath sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats, for a sin offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his sin. 7 And if he be not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass, which he hath committed, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto the LORD; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering. 11 But if he be not able to bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then he that sinned shall bring for his offering the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering; he shall put no oil upon it, neither shall he put any frankincense thereon: for it is a sin offering. 13 And the priest shall make an atonement for him as touching his sin that he hath sinned in one of these, and it shall be forgiven him: and the remnant shall be the priest’s, as a meat offering.]
Do you know how many people give tithes and offerings to churches who God does not even know? And the same goes for all those who feel the need to give money to every person standing on the street holding a sign. It is pride that tries to convince its deceitful heart that what they are doing is perfectly fine and that God Himself approves of the “sacrifices” they make. In reality, their sacrifices are not from the heart, and therefore, God will never approve of anything they have to offer, [Matthew 23:23-24 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.]
Edom, never accepted God, fully knowing who He is, and they despised Israel, who was supposed to be their brethren. As Israel was being judged, they laughed and mocked them, and conspired to get their land, and the entire nation of Israel, and God confronts them about this.
[Obadiah 1:11-14 In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them. 12 But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress. 13 Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, thou shouldest not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity; 14 Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress.]
[even thou wast as one of them.] Do you see who enemy nations wait until God’s nations are weak? I fear what is to come as America becomes weaker as a nation, and do not think that our enemies do not know that God stands with us. And yet, this gives me hope that God’s judgments are not eternal for us, He will protect us from the worst that is to come, which is why we need to be prepared and ready for Christ’s return, [Matthew 24:40-44 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.]
[Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway,] This is similar to those who are a stumbling block, they make it near impossible for someone to get to Jesus, and yet, they have no desire to receive Him themselves, [Matthew 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.]
Did you know that while Jesus knows He will return to earth, even He does not know when that will be? God has not given Him the exact time. [Matthew 24:35-37 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. 36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.] This is what makes the trinity of God so great, while God, the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit are all one person, yet each one is individual and necessary in order to serve a purpose, just like we are. Jesus, it talking to all saved, born again Christians here, we need to be preaching the Gospel while we are still able to do so. God, is giving all nations who are mocking His nations that He is sending fair warning that vengeance is near.
[Obadiah 1:15-18,21 For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head. 16 For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been. 17 But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions. 18 And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken it. 21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.]
[But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance,] Can you imagine the day when Jesus calls for His people all over the world and they know exactly where to go? [John 10:11-12,16 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.]
Edom, had the same opportunities that Israel had, in fact, God had given them the land that they were on. However, they were too proud of their wealth and riches, much of it gotten deceitfully, had a great military, and allies all over the world so they thought they were secure and that no one could defeat them. God, on the other hand was about to prove them otherwise. Psalm 83, was written during the time Jehoshaphat’s army marched out against the confederacy of nations, which threatened the very existence of the country of Israel. This song was sung before the battle in anticipation of a victory, the Levites chanted it with a loud voice, in full assurance that God would deliver them.
[Psalms 83:1-8,17-18 A Song or Psalm of Asaph. Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. 2 For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. 3 They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. 4 They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. 5 For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: 6 The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; 7 Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; 8 Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah. 17 Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish: 18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.]
[They have taken crafty counsel against thy people,] While God dealt with Israel in His own way, they were still His people, any enemy of Israel was an enemy of God and therefore they will receive the greater judgment, [Jeremiah 29:11-14 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.]
In this evil world, that gets more evil by the day, people need to hear that there is hope, that all this pain and suffering does have an end, and regardless of how much we have sinned, there is still hope for us beyond the grave. For those who receive Christ as their Saviour we do have an expected end that is actually a wonderful new beginning, [Ephesians 1:9-12 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.]
Today’s Prayer: God, You have blessed us with so much, You have given eternal life to all who believe in and receive Your Son. And we are only given eternal life by trusting in His sinless death, burial, and resurrection. He not only saves us from hell, but out of every mess that we have gotten ourselves into when we come to Him. How merciful You are, how wonderful You are, to save a sinner like me. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your mercy and grace, and Your hedge of protection everywhere I go. Help me let go of pride, to come to You with every decision I need to make, and give me the wisdom to discern right from wrong in every matter. Keep me looking to Jesus and the expected wonderful end that awaits me as I endure this life with You and let me never lose hope that all I know and love will find Your Son and receive Him. I love You, and ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure You Are Going To Heaven?: http://readytofollow.com/
Receive The KJB Daily Devotions In Your Email: http://eepurl.com/2WMzT
Missed A Message: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/Biblestudy/
Visit I’m Following Jesus: https://imfollowingjesus.com/Biblestudy/welcome/
Read Today’s Bible Reading: http://kingjamesbible.imfollowingjesus.com/
I’m Following Jesus On Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/readytofollowJesus/
Copyright © 2022 I’m Following Jesus, All rights reserved.