PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Obadiah 1
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“You should not gloat over your brother in the day of his misfortune.” (Obadiah 1:12)
Edom (from Esau, Jacob’s brother) and Israel (from Jacob) fought for years.
Obadiah describes how Edomites took advantage of defeated Israel and her refugees.
This tension makes me think of the present day tensions between Jews and Muslims.
Both claim Abraham (grandfather of Jacob and Esau) as their forefather.
And yet, as brothers, they fight and harass and oppress each other.
God’s command is that we treat all people with respect, since we’re all family!
All people, all nations, will be judged for how they treated others.
“As you have done, it will be done to you…” (Obadiah 1:15)
Think of how Jesus taught us to “forgive… as we have been forgiven” (Matthew 6:12)
Will God treat us as we have treated the weak or needy or guilty around us?
Will God treat the Jews as they treated the Palestinians, or vice versa?
Will God treat me as I treated the homeless, the addicted, the ‘liberals’?
If Jesus is our pattern for how to treat tax collectors, prostitutes, foreigners…
Who are the people I am not being a good brother too?
PRAYER
Lord, I know I am forgiven by grace. But help me to share that grace with others, as you have shared it with me, lest I lose out on the very grace that I have received.
“The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.” Jesus taught that I should love all people. I will be judged – as the nations are judged – as the descendants of Esau are accountable for their actions against the descendants of Jacob and vice versa. Lord help me not to be biased against anyone – especially those whom I discount as inferior or hopeless. Help to see each person as a brother/sister – as we are all image bearers of the creator! Help me to love unconditionally as you do Lord Jesus!
Once again I am reminded to live at peace with all mankind. Put Jesus first, Others second and yourself/me in last place. That creates JOY for the joy of the Lord God is my strength. ‘As i have done it will be done to me.’ I need to treat others the way I desire to be treated. And that is only a possibility in the power of God. I need to be a channel of His peace everyday.
Verse 1:
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is hatred let me bring your love
Where there is injury your pardon, Lord,
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you
Verse 2:
Make me a channel of your peace
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there’s sadness ever joy
Chorus:
Oh, Master, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved, as to love with all my soul
Verse 3:
Make me a channel of your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving of ourselves that we receive
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life