|















| |
|
COLLECTIONS
Commentaries, Word
Studies, Devotionals, Sermons, Illustrations
Old and New Testament. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Resources
Commentaries, Sermons,
Illustrations, Devotionals
Links in
blue |
|
Jamieson, Fausset, Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory
on the Whole Bible
(1871) |
Introduction
Obadiah 1 |
|
C H
Spurgeon
Devotionals
Morning and Evening
Faith's Checkbook |
|
Obadiah 1:11
|
|
|
Related Resources
on
Obadiah |
Obadiah 1:1-7
"SUPERMEN AND AIRPLANES"
"The pride of your heart has deceived you.- Obadiah 1:3
My daughter travels all over the world as a flight attendant and often
comes home with some fascinating tales. One such story is about former
heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, who was seated in an
aircraft that was preparing for takeoff. A flight attendant, noticing
that he did not have his seatbelt fastened, asked him kindly, "Excuse
me, sir, but would you mind fastening your seatbelt?"
As the story goes, Muhammad Ali looked up with that saucy grin of his
and said in a slow, gravelly voice, "Superman don't need no seatbelt!"
Without missing a beat, the flight attendant packed a punch with this
quick reply: "Superman don't need no airplane, so how about fastening
up?"
Of course, Ali was only joking. If a person really believed he was
Superman, he would be seriously deluded. He would be like the ancient
Edomites in today's Scripture who had been self-deceived by their own
pride. The truth is, we all have the same tendency.
A. W. Tozer aptly described the kind of Christians the Lord longs for
us to be: "Men and women who have stopped being 'fooled' about their
own strength and are not afraid of being 'caught' depending on their
all-sufficient Lord."-- Joanie E. Yoder
(Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
Sift the substance of my life,
Filtering out the sin and strife;
Leave me, Lord, a purer soul,
Cleansed and sanctified and whole.-- Lemon
To experience God's strength, we must admit our weakness.
Obadiah 1:1-9
Today in the Word
Though you soar like the eagle
and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down.
- Obadiah 1:4
Theodore Roosevelt and his
friend William Beebe performed a ritual each night before going to
bed. They would scan the night sky until they found the constellation
Pegasus. Once they located it, they looked for a small speck of light
nearby and began to chant: “That is the Spiral Galaxy of Andromeda. It
is as large as our Milky Way. It is one of a hundred million galaxies.
It consists of one hundred billion suns, each larger than our sun.”
Roosevelt would then turn to Beebe and say, “Now I think we are small
enough. Let’s go to bed.” Perspective is often the first step to
gaining humility.
The nation of Edom--the
descendants of Jacob’s brother Esau--badly needed perspective in
Obadiah’s day. Edom had been the enemies of Israel from its inception.
When Moses asked to pass through Edomite territory in peace before
beginning Israel’s conquest of the land of Canaan, he was refused, and
Edomites even brought out their large army to prevent Israel from
entering their land (Num. 20:14–21).
Mount Seir, a range of mountains that was fifteen to twenty miles
long, epitomized Edom’s rugged terrain. Its inaccessibility was a
source of pride (v. 3). God, however, had a plan that would give Edom
the humbling they so badly needed. He planned to raise a coalition of
nations against them. As a result, this long-time enemy of Israel,
that had so proudly considered itself invincible, would become “small
among the nations” and “utterly despised” (vv. 1–2).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today’s passage underscores God’s fierce protection of His people.
Although He does not always shield us from the malice of our enemies,
He does hold them accountable for their actions
(Today
in the Word. Moody Bible Institute. Used by Permission. All rights
reserved)
Obadiah
1:10-14
You should not look down on your brother in the day of his misfortune.
- Obadiah 1:12a
TODAY IN THE WORD
Nobody likes a sore loser, but a gloating winner is just as bad. Edom
had watched with glee as Jerusalem was sacked by its enemies, and the
Edomites had done nothing to help their relatives in Israel. In God’s
eyes their refusal to interfere was itself an act of aggression.
Although the relationship between the two nations had never been good,
the Edomites did share a blood tie with the people of Judah. When they
stood by while “strangers” carried off Jerusalem, they were no better
than one of the aggressors (v. 11).
Edom’s sin was threefold. First,
they regarded the plight of the people of Jerusalem with an attitude
of contempt. Second, they expressed outright glee over the city’s
destruction, celebrating while the residents of Jerusalem suffered.
Third, they took the opportunity to boast--perhaps bragging that their
own location made them impregnable (v. 12).
But there was more to Edom’s response than “passive aggression.” They
entered the city themselves to loot what was left. They also lay in
wait for those who had fled from Jerusalem and killed them or even
handed them over to the enemy (vv. 13–14).
The judgment of Edom was a living example of the warning found in
Proverbs 24:17–18: “Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he
stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, or the LORD will see and
disapprove and turn his wrath away from him.” The destruction of
Jerusalem was a matter of divine discipline. They deserved the
punishment that they received. But Edom’s gleeful response made them
liable as well. Obadiah warned that God had seen this sinful attitude
and would turn His wrath from Jerusalem to Edom.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Can you think of someone who recently “got what was coming to them?”
At times it is hard not to rejoice over their misfortune. This is
especially true if we know that they hurt others by their actions.
(Today
in the Word. Moody Bible Institute. Used by Permission. All rights
reserved)
Obadiah 1:11
Morning and Evening
C H Spurgeon
“Even thou wast as one of them.”
— Obadiah 1:11
Brotherly kindness was due from Edom to Israel in the time of need,
but instead thereof, the men of Esau made common cause with Israel’s
foes. Special stress in the sentence before us is laid upon the word
thou; as when Caesar cried to Brutus, “and thou Brutus”; a bad action
may be all the worse, because of the person who has committed it. When
we sin, who are the chosen favourites of heaven, we sin with an
emphasis; ours is a crying offence, because we are so peculiarly
indulged. If an angel should lay his hand upon us when we are doing
evil, he need not use any other rebuke than the question, “What thou?
What dost thou here?” Much forgiven, much delivered, much instructed,
much enriched, much blessed, shall we dare to put forth our hand unto
evil? God forbid!
A few minutes of confession may be beneficial to thee, gentle reader,
this morning. Hast thou never been as the wicked? At an evening party
certain men laughed at uncleanness, and the joke was not altogether
offensive to thine ear, even thou wast as one of them. When hard
things were spoken concerning the ways of God, thou wast bashfully
silent; and so, to on-lookers, thou wast as one of them. When
worldlings were bartering in the market, and driving hard bargains,
wast thou not as one of them? When they were pursuing vanity with a
hunter’s foot, wert thou not as greedy for gain as they were? Could
any difference be discerned between thee and them? Is there any
difference? Here we come to close quarters. Be honest with thine own
soul, and make sure that thou art a new creature in Christ Jesus; but
when this is sure, walk jealously, lest any should again be able to
say, “Even thou wast as one of them.” Thou wouldst not desire to share
their eternal doom, why then be like them here? Come not thou into
their secret, lest thou come into their ruin. Side with the afflicted
people of God, and not with the world.
Obadiah
1:15-21
As you have done, it will be
done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head. - Obadiah
1:15b
TODAY IN THE WORD
Many people suffer from myopia, a condition that allows them to see
things at close range but not far away. They are described as being
nearsighted. Some are so nearsighted that they are legally blind. The
Edomites suffered from spiritual myopia--too nearsighted to look into
the future and realize that one day God would judge them.
The Edomites had been
shortsighted in their celebration of Judah’s defeat. They had not
considered that the same God who had justly punished Judah would call
them to account for their treatment of their neighbors when the Day of
the Lord finally arrived. All the nations will be judged on the basis
of their works (v. 15). This is the fate of all those who refuse to
accept the grace of God. They receive justice instead of mercy.
Under the standard of justice, the Edomites would be treated just as
they had treated others. On the day that Jerusalem fell, they were
giddy to the point of drunkenness. When the Day of the Lord finally
comes, they will be forced to drink from another cup.
Elsewhere in the Bible, the metaphor of a cup is used to speak of
God’s wrath (cf. Isa. 51:17). In Psalm 75 it is compared to a cup of
foaming wine mixed with spices (Ps. 75:8). The promise in verse 16 of
Obadiah that the nations “will drink and drink and be as if they had
never been” speaks of an experience of divine wrath that never ends.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
John Wesley described the Day of the Lord as a day of judgment and a
day of mercy: “O make proof of His mercy, rather than His justice; of
His love rather than the thunder of His power! He is not far from
every one of us; and He is now come, not to condemn, but to save the
world. He standeth in the midst!
(Today
in the Word. Moody Bible Institute. Used by Permission. All rights
reserved)
Obadiah 1:15
"As you have done, it shall be done to you; your reprisal shall return
upon your own head" (Obadiah 1:15).
Among others, many prominent entertainers and respected educational
leaders reject God and deny the existence of an absolute moral
standard. They say we can determine for ourselves what is right and
wrong. They laugh at words like patriotism, duty, loyalty, and
godliness. But now their influence is reaping a bitter
harvest—multiplied abortions, heartbreaking divorces, violent crimes,
teenage suicides, and disturbing payoffs by foreign agents for
military secrets. Discussing an unprecedented rash of Americans
spying for other countries, Charles Colson said that the U.S. is
reaping what it has sown.
Obadiah warned the Edomites that they would reap what they had sown.
Using the past tense but speaking about the future, he portrayed the
lighthearted drinking of their wild parties and said that their
derisive fun would soon give way to somber drinking from the cup of
God's wrath. His prophecy was fulfilled. Within a few years Edom was
destroyed by Gentile powers.
We must remember the reaping principle. Woven into the fabric of life,
it applies to individuals as much as to nations. It's both a warning
and a promise. When we do evil, we reap judgment. But when we do good,
we reap the blessing of God's approval. —H V Lugt
(Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
Those who plant thorns cannot expect to gather flowers.
Obadiah 1:17
Our Daily Homily
F B Meyer
Obadiah 1:17 The house of
Jacob shall possess their possessions.
As long as Edom invaded and
annoyed the house of Jacob, the people were unable to possess their
possessions in peace. No sooner did the harvest or vintage appear,
than their hereditary foes swooped down to carry off the fruits of
their toils. But Edom’s dominion was to be ended; and then there would
be no cloud in the sky, no barrier to their uninterrupted joy.
There are many instances of
people not possessing their possessions. Such are those who put their
plate and valuables into furniture depositories, and for years leave
them to neglect; who have shelves of unread, uncut books; who do not
realize that coal and iron mines lie under their estates; who never
enjoy the wealth of love and tenderness in their friends’ hearts; who
refuse to avail themselves of resources which are well within their
reach.
But too many of God’s people are
like this. The Father has caused all his fullness to reside in the
nature of Jesus; He hath given us all things that pertain unto life
and godliness in Him; He hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings
in Christ Jesus; in our Savior are treasures of wisdom, of purity, of
prevailing power, of love and patience. The Divine Merchantman has
come to us to give us gold tried in the fire, white raiment, and
eyesalve. But we go blundering on in our own selfish, sinful,
faltering way. We do not possess our possessions. We do not call into
practical use the boundless reinforcements awaiting us, at every hour,
within the tiniest beckoning of our faith. We are like the
manufacturer who refuses to use the steam-power, though it is laid on
into the mill; or the householder who refuses to touch the button of
the electric light. |
|
Obadiah 1:3. — Self-deceived
C H Spurgeon Sermon Notes
The pride of thine heart hath
deceived thee. — Obadiah 1:3
This is true of all proud persons, for pride is self-deceit.
There may be proud persons in this congregation. Those who are sure
that they have no pride are probably the proudest of all. Those who
are proud of their humility are proud indeed.
The confidence that we are not deceived may only prove the
completeness of the deception under which we labor.
In considering the case of the Edomites, and the pride of their
hearts, let us look to ourselves that we may profit withal.
I. THEY WERE DECEIVED.
The prophet mentions certain matters in which they were deceived.
1. As to the estimate formed of them by others. They thought
themselves to be had in honor, but the prophet says, "Thou art greatly
despised" (see verse 2).
You might not be pleased if you
knew how little others think of you; but if you think little of others
you need not wonder if you are yourself greatly despised, for "with
what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again" (Matt. 7:2).
2. As to their personal
security. They felt safe, but were near their doom. "Who shall bring
me down? .... I will bring thee down, saith the Lord" (verses 3 and
4). Dwelling in their rock-city of Petra was no real security to them:
neither may any one of us think himself proof against misfortune,
sickness, or sudden death.
3. As to their personal wisdom. They talked of "The wise man out of
Edom" (verse 8); but the Lord said, "There is none understanding in
him" (verse 7).
Those who know better than the Word of God know nothing.
4. As to the value of their confidences. Edom relied on alliances, but
these utterly failed. "The men that were at peace with thee have
deceived thee" (verse 7). Rich relatives, influential friends, tried
allies — all will fail those who trust in them.
II. THEIR OWN PRIDE DECEIVED THEM.
1. In each of the points mentioned above, pride lay at the bottom of
their error.
2. In every way pride lays a man open to being deceived.
His judgment is perverted by it: he
cannot hold the scales.
His standard is rendered inaccurate: his weights are false.
His desires invite flattery, and his folly accepts it.
3. In every case a proud man is
a deceived man: he is not what he thinks himself to be; and he is
blind to that part of his character which should cause him to be
humble.
4. In spiritual cases it is emphatically so.
The self-righteous, self-sufficient, perfectionists, etc., are all
deceived by the pride of their hearts.
III. THIS PRIDE LED THEM INTO EVIL WAYS.
1. They were full of defiance. "Who shall bring me down to the
ground?" This self-asserting spirit provokes hostility and leads to
wars and fighting and all manner of emulations and contentions.
2. They were destitute of compassion. "Thou stoodest on the other
side" (see verses 9-12). Those of kindred race were being slain, and
they had no pity. Pride is stony-hearted.
3. They even shared in oppression (see verses 13 and 14). This is not
unusual among purse-proud religionists. They are not slow to profit by
the nurseries of God's poor people.
4. They showed contempt of holy things. "Ye have drunk upon my holy
mountain" (verse 16). God will not have his church made into a tavern,
or a playhouse: yet something like this may be done even now by proud
hypocrites and formalists.
IV. THESE EVIL WAYS SECURED THEIR RUIN.
l. Their defiance brought enemies upon them.
2. Their unkindness was returned
into their own bosom. Verse 15 shows the lex talionis in action.
3. Their contempt of God made
him say, "there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau"
(verse 18).
How different the lot of despised Zion! (see verses 17 and 21) Let us
seek him who in Zion is above all others "the Savior." Hating all
pride, let us humbly rest in him.
Then we shall not be deceived, for Jesus is "the Truth."
Warnings
There is something intensely
amusing, according to our notions, in the name which the Eskimo bestow
upon themselves. It appears they call themselves the "Innuit" — that
is, "the people" par excellence.
Stranger,
henceforth be warned; and know that pride,
Howe'er disguised in its own majesty,
Is littleness: that he who feels contempt
For any living thing, hath faculties
Which he has never used; that thought with him
Is in its infancy.— Wordsworth
If a man is a perfectionist, and
thinks he is sinless, it is a proof not that he is better, but only
that he is blinder, than his neighbors. — Richard Glover
When a proud man thinks best of himself, then God and man think worst
of him; all his glory is but like a vapor, which climbeth as though it
would go up to heaven, but when it comes to a little height, it falls
down again, and never ascends more. So Adam thought that the fair
apple should make him like his Maker, but God resisted his pride, and
that apple made him like the serpent that tempted him with it. Absalom
thought that rebellion would make him a king, but God resisted his
pride, and his rebellion hanged him on a tree. — Henry Smith
The Venetian ambassador wrote of Cardinal Wolsey: "I do perceive that
every year he groweth more and more in power. When I first came to
England, he used to say, "His Majesty will do so and so";
subsequently, he said, "We shall do so and so"; but now he says, "I
shall do so and so." But history records how Wolsey's pride went
before destruction, and his haughty spirit before a fall.
Napoleon Buonaparte, intoxicated with success, and at the height of
his power, said, "I make circumstances." Let Moscow, Elba, Waterloo,
and St. Helena, that rocky isle where he was caged until he fretted
his life away, testify to his utter helplessness in his humiliating
downfall. — J. B. Gough
As God hath two dwelling-places, heaven and a contrite heart, so hath
the devil — hell and a proud heart. — T. Watson |
|
DOWNLOAD
InstaVerse
for free. It is a simple to use Bible
Verse pop up tool that will allow you to read every cross reference quickly, in context and in the Version you prefer.
Only KJV is free but can also download
free copy of
Bible Explorer
with
free Bibles including excellent, literal English
Standard Version (ESV). (NAS, , NIV, et al available for purchase)
How does it work? Hold mouse pointer over the Scripture reference,
and up pops passage
in context!
InstaVerse
works anywhere
on the Web as offline (Word for Windows, email programs like
Outlook. This tool really works...you will be amazed and
edified. (click) Note it won't work
if there is no space between book name and chap (Mt1:1 won't pop
up but Mt 1:1 will) |
|
DISCLAIMER: Before you "go to the commentaries"
go to the Scriptures and study them inductively (Click 3 part overview of how to do
Inductive
Bible Study) in dependence on your Teacher, the
Holy Spirit, Who Jesus promised would
guide us into all the truth (John 16:13).
Remember that Scripture is always the best commentary on Scripture. Any
commentary, even those by the most conservative and orthodox teacher/preachers
cannot help but have at least some bias of the expositor based upon his training
and experience. Therefore the inclusion of specific links does not indicate that
we agree with every comment. We have made a sincere effort to select only the
most conservative, "bibliocentric" commentaries. Should you discover some
commentary or sermon you feel may not be orthodox, please email your concern. I
have removed several links in response to concerns by discerning readers. I
recommend that your priority be a steady intake of solid Biblical food so that
with practice you will have your spiritual senses trained to discern good from
evil (Heb5:14).
|
|