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: Wednesday, June 30, 2021
Chapters: The Book Of Obadiah, Psalms 82-83
Message: God Defends His Own
Hello My Friend,
God was not fooling around when He said that He would judge every nation that came against Israel, the country that 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. Oh, do not misunderstand, God sends judgment upon His people, but that is between Him and His people. And just like a mama bear who will attack anyone who gets near her cubs, God will attack any country that gets near His people, [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?]
Did you know that while Jesus knows He will return to earth, even He does not know when that will 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, [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.] 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.]
Obadiah was in the Northern Kingdom 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. Obadiah prophesied this after Ahab died, and during the time that Athaliah had taken over in the Southern Kingdom when she had all the royal seed killed, except for Josiah, after Jehoshaphat died. These were the visions God had given Obadiah concerning Edom.
[Obadiah 1:1-4,7-8 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. 7 All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee: there is none understanding in him. 8 Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau?]
[and let us rise up against her in battle.] 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.]
God was giving this warning to Edom well before they actually did many of the things they did. You see, God always knows what is going on, just like He foretold the destructive path of Israel, He knows the destructive path of every other nation. As much as God grieves over Israel and how most of them have turned on Him that does not mean that He will not defend them at all cost, and attack them while they are weak, that is of course, unless it is under His terms. As God continues to foretell their judgment, He tells them why He is judging them.
[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.] Edom had the same opportunities that Israel had, in fact, God had given them the land that they were on. However, they were proud of their wealth and riches, much of it gotten deceitfully, they 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. God places judgment upon people and nations to get them to see their need for Him and repent, but He takes no pleasure in it, especially when it has to do it upon His people, and anyone who mocks those being judged will be judged themselves.
[Psalms 82:1-3,6-8 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.6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. 7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes. 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.]
[he judgeth among the gods.] This is not referring to the man made gods here, this is referring to rulers of nations. All nations are under God’s control, He knows exactly what is going on, and regardless of how it all looks, God is watching over His people who are in the midst of them. As God continues reprimanding Edom on their behavior toward Israel, He foretells its destruction and also has a message of hope for Israel.
[Obadiah 1:15-17,21 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. 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,] Much of this refers to the Jews returning from Babylon after being in captivity for seventy years and setting to restore Israel. There is also a prophetic message here of a king who will judge from Mount Zion, and that is none other than Jesus Christ Himself. The kingdom shall be Christ’s, He will reign with perfect and just judgment, those who receive Him will be delivered, and actually reign with Him, but those who do not will be like rubble, and even death will not be an escape, [Revelation 9:6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.]
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 83:1-5,15-18 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: 12 Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession. 15 So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm. 16 Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD. 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.]
[that they may seek thy name,] 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. 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, [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.]
Jesus Christ Magnified: [Obadiah 1:15 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.]
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
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