For a full description of the (Y3) reading plan, see the “About” page.
- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Obad. 1
Pride is one of the major themes of the Bible. I believe it is the essence of our separation from God. God’s design is for us to be His people and Him to be our God. Human pride seeks to alter that design. Obadiah’s vision against Edom tells me quite a bit about such pride.
Edom was arrogant. That arrogance manifested itself in rejoicing over Judah’s destruction. In gloating over his brother’s calamity, however, Esau (Edom) failed to acknowledge that he was just as worthy of God’s judgment as Jacob (Israel) was. Therefore God said, “Though you seem to soar like an eagle and make your nest among the stars, even from there I will bring you down.” (Obad. 1:4).
The truth is that we are all small and insignificant compared to God. The only thing that gives us any value at all is the fact that God made us and thus loves us. When we attempt to derive any value from ourselves by placing ourselves above others, we disregard our true value in God, as well as theirs. God makes it clear through His declaration to Edom, though, that there is no height we can achieve that is anything more than a perception.
Ps. 82
Here it is again. The powerful place themselves above the weak; the wealthy above the needy. They falsely judge their value by their wealth, position, and power. What is their fate? “[They] will die like humans and fall like any other ruler.” (Ps. 82:7). Our worth and value is derived from God alone, thus He alone is just in His judgment.
Ps. 83
John, in his New Testament letters, tells us that we can’t love God if we don’t love those God loves. I see that truth in this Psalm. The nations conspired against God’s beloved. Thus we see the judgment proclaimed against those nations through prophets like Obadiah. This Psalm is a prayer for that judgment.
Paul, in his New Testament letters, gives us another dimension to this truth. Paul tells us to judge those who claim to belong to God to discern if they are truly seeking Him. If anyone is uniting themselves with the interests of the flesh rather than with God, not only should we not continue in close fellowship with such a person, but Paul tells us that we should hand them over to Satan with the hope that those fleshly desires might be destroyed and that person’s spirit saved. I also see that truth in this Psalm. “Cover their faces with shame so that they will seek your name, LORD.” (Ps. 83:16). This Psalm is also a prayer that God’s judgment would lead to salvation.