Not quite fitting the two chapters per day rule with this one. Right up against the book of Amos is Obadiah. In the Bible that I am using for these two weeks, there wasn't even a blank or title page. For a few minutes, I was searching other Bibles, checking to make sure the printer did not make a mistake.
No mistake!
The shortest book in the Old Testament. All of one chapter and that only 21 verses. But, [more]looking closely, it is filled with challenge.
While it has not been able to accurately date the book of Obadiah, it is clear that what he speaks of could have been any of six possible invasions, spread over about 200 years. Close enough, but to some they would want accuracy.
Having accuracy for a date when Obadiah lived or the events he foretold would (should) not make any difference. Knowing exactly when they happened is not going to change the fact that they did happen. If you followed that logic, then you understand it is the events happening that are important.
Obadiah spoke to a nation, Edom that was next to the Israelites. The message was clear – you can hide and have some amazing defenses, but you will fall. The promise to that country was that they would be destroyed.
What was their mistake in life? Simple. And a simple message to us today. They stood by and mocked their neighbors (Judah) while they were being destroyed.
It wasn't just that they would be destroyed, "you will be utterly dispised." They thought themselves too good, too well defended to ever face defeat. Obadiah's message was that what would happen to them would be worse than someone who comes to rob and steal – they usually leave a little something, but the coming destruction will be complete. There will be nothing left!
And all because they allowed their brother's in Judah to be taken captive. They stood silently by. God, through Obadiah said "when all that was happening to them, you stood by like one of the enemy."
What a message for us today! "Don't look down on your brother or sister when they are having a bad day (12)." It's interesting that we think of "Do unto others" as something from the New Testament. But, here it is in Obadiah as he lays the charge out. "As you have done, so it will be done to you. It will come back on your head."
But the message does not end with death and destruction. God's promise remains. His people will return to possess the land again.
How different our lives would be if we only remembered to do what we are asked to do by our Lord. If we lived as though we were truly His. Again and Again, the people turned and walked their own way and were destroyed. Is it that we refuse to look back and learn? Is it that we too, like the people of Edom, are deceived by our pride?
We can change that you know.