24th September 2024

24th September 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (Obadiah 1v19-20)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


Despite its age the book of Obadiah remains a thoroughly modern text. How so? On the 7th of October 2023, the terrorist group Hamas launched coordinated attacks against the nation of Israel. Over one thousand people were killed and many others taken hostage sparking a conflict which continues to this very day. Hamas believe that Israel are engaged in an illegal occupation of Palestinian land. Meanwhile Israel argue that their nation is legitimate, it has every right to exists and that their very existence is constantly at stake.


The situation is explained further by the chants in which declare “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” For those chanting such a phrase they are merely singing in support of Palestine freedom. Nevertheless, many Jews hear the same song and consider it a call for their eradication from the Jordan river to the Mediterranean sea. Land remains vitally important in the middle-east.


At the end of Obadiah’s vision, several things can be said to be true. Firstly, Edom was filled with arrogance and pride resulting in Esau’s descendants doing nothing when Jerusalem came under attack. Secondly, as the dust had barely settled in Judah, Edom scoffed at the plight of their cousins and took for themselves some of Judah’s remaining wealth. Thirdly, as fugitives fled Jerusalem, the Edomites stood at the crossroads and handed over their cousins to the enemy. Finally, Edom had come under the judgement of God who promised that Edom would be burnt to stubble leaving nothing behind.


Obadiah paints a bleak picture for us to meditate upon but before the book is closed the final section promises blessing for God’s people - blessing involving land. Although many of the places mentioned in these final verses are unfamiliar to us, the image given is that Judah will one day expand in every direction. Those in the southern region of the Negeb shall take possession of Edom’s Mount Esau (v19a). Those in the fertile western region of the Shephelah will take possession of the land occupied by the Philistines (v19b). In the north, the land promised to Ephraim would be reclaimed (v19c) and in the east “Benjamin shall possess Gilead.” (v19d). 


The judgement upon the enemies of God’s people would be so complete that it would be safe for the exiles to return home (v20). The land of the Canaanites would be taken as far as Zarephath on the Mediterranean  coast in the north. Finally we are told that exiles from Jerusalem now in Sepharad would return and take the cities of the Negeb (v20b). We know the significance and location of Jerusalem and we’ve already stated that the Negeb is the region south of Judah. But where is Sepharad? No one is completely sure. Various solutions have been suggested like Spain, North Africa, Persia and the Greek city of Sardis. Wherever Sepharad was exactly, her exiles would be free to return home.


Some take these verses to look for and expect a period of blessing for national Israel unlike any seen before. The relatively modern revival of the nation of Israel seems to support this view - perhaps the rebirth of the State in 1948 shows the end is near? I’m not so sure. Modern Israel is a largely Christ-less place and is just as worldly as the West. So how should we see these promises of land? Should we expect national Israel to grow and prosper before the end?


Allow me to finish on another path. Brothers and sisters, Christ is coming in judgement and all those who have opposed Him will be found wanting. He is bringing with Him the new heavens and earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3v13). This is our great inheritance when not one inch of this world will know the curse of sin. By the victory of Christ, we will surely inherit the earth. “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” (Hebrews 13v14) 


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q98 What is prayer? Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.
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