The Bible Recap - Day 182 (Obadiah 1, Psalm 82-83) - Year 5

Starting point is 00:00:00 Hey Bible readers, I'm Tara Lee Cobble and I'm your host for the Bible recap. Today we finished our 17th book of the Bible and we're halfway through our reading plan. And you completed another page in your journal calendar or your printout calendar if you're following along with the printed version from our website, can you believe it? Before we launch into Obedaya, I want to point out that this possibly could be out of chronological order. No one knows when Obedaya was written, an estimate's range from 850 BC, which is approximately where we are in the story, to 400 BC. Obviously, the good people at Blue Letter Bible who put this reading plan together lean more toward the earlier end, 850 BC, which is why they put it here. This would connect it to a few events we just read about. First, the instance where Egypt and Vagedirus, the second Chronicles 12, then,

Starting point is 00:00:57 Edim's revolt against King Jehora M'Njuda, which we read about yesterday in second Chronicles 21. That's the part I told you would be important in today's reading. Meanwhile, back in Obadaya, we see some enemies come in to take over Jerusalem, which is the capital city in the Southern Kingdom of Judah. And Obadaya, the prophet, rebukes the people of Eden for it.

Starting point is 00:01:18 Why? Let's refresh our memory on Eden. Eden is the name of the people descended from Esau. And Esau is the twin brother of Jacob Israel, the father of the Twelve Tribes. So the eadamites are the closest relatives of all the Twelve Tribes. But you may remember that there was a lot of family drama. One day when he was hungry, Esau, the father of the people of Eatum, sold his birthright to his twin brother Jacob in exchange for a bowl of stew. Then years later, Jacob

Starting point is 00:01:45 tricked Esau out of the only thing he had left. His father's blessing. If you want to refresher on all this, you can go back and read about it in Genesis 25-28 or listen to episodes 20-21. Years later, the brothers make amends and begin to act amicably toward each other, but there's always been a lingering tension between these two people groups. They actually live next door to each other, which means they aren't just the closest relatives of the 12 tribes, but they're also the closest neighbors of Judah.

Starting point is 00:02:14 So when Jerusalem is invaded, Eden is expected to come to their aid. Instead, they not only don't help, but they add to the oppression the enemy nations inflict on Judah. God says it's because Eden is prideful that they didn't help, but they add to the oppression the enemy nations inflict on Judah. God says it's because Eden is prideful that they didn't help Judah. Verse 11 says,

Starting point is 00:02:30 On the day that you stood aloof, on the day the strangers carried off his wealth and the foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them. God says their passivity is just as bad as if they'd personally wielded the sword against Jerusalem. And some people believe they did wield the sword against Jerusalem, because verses 12 through 14 list eight things

Starting point is 00:02:51 that God is telling Edom not to do to Judah. Do not gloat over his disaster, do not loot his wealth, do not hand over his survivors. And it seems like their things Edom actually might have done, either in the moment or in the past. Either way, Edom is not the kind of neighbor in relative you want. their things, Adam actually might have done, either in the moment or in the past. Either way, Adam is not the kind of neighbor in relative you want. Then, Obediah says something that has both immediate application and long-term implications. He says, the day of the Lord

Starting point is 00:03:17 is near upon all the nations, as you have done, it shall be done to you, your deed shall return on your own head. That phrase, the day of the Lord, encompasses both a general idea of a day when God will work out justice in a particular scenario, as well as an ultimate final day when God will do that. In the Old Testament, it's typically referring to the more immediate scenario, and in the New Testament, it's typically referring to the final scenario, the day when Jesus will bring justice and free the world of corruption and evil through both judgment and restoration. We're including a short video about the day of the Lord that we think will be helpful in understanding what this term means

Starting point is 00:03:54 on a deeper level. Check that out in today's show notes if you have six minutes to spare and are interested in learning more. In this more short-term scenario, God says justice will unfold like this. The land and the people of Eden will be devoured by the land and the people of Israel. Then we move on to Psalm 82, which is a very odd personal Psalm. It was likely written much earlier, but it fits well here, given it's about God's call to help the needy and oppressed, much like God calling Eden to come to Judah's aid. But there's some evidence throughout this song that ASAP is talking to God's divine enemies here, not humans. In verses 6-7, either ASAP or God Himself seems to be condemning them for the way they

Starting point is 00:04:37 have acted wickedly. It says, I said, you are God's sons of the most high, all of you. Nevertheless, like men you shall die and fall like any prince. So what do we make of this psalm? If we zoom out, we see that God values justice and he values showing mercy and kindness to those in need. And that ultimately, he'll execute judgment on even the divine beings who fall short of that standard.

Starting point is 00:05:06 Psalm 83 echoes a lot of the same themes. It's a cry for God to work justice on those who have opposed his people. And that's where my God shot comes in today as well. Versus three through five say, they lay crafty plans against your people. They consult together against your treasured ones. They say, come, let us wipe them out as a nation,

Starting point is 00:05:26 let the name of Israel be remembered no more. Against you, they make a covenant. God identifies himself so closely with his people that anytime they're mistreated, he takes it personally. I had a bully once in middle school, and one of the best feelings was when my older brother had me point my bully out to him so that he could keep an eye out for me. To know someone had my back who was so much more powerful than both me and my bully, it

Starting point is 00:05:54 set my heart at rest. God is clearly not going to sit back and let Judah get bullied without doing something about it. His vengeance is not like human vengeance, though. It's perfect, and it's just. And he's so protective of his people that he works out justice not just in the human realm, not just in the temporary realm,

Starting point is 00:06:14 but in the supernatural and eternal realm. He's so powerful and so protective, and he's where the joy is. [♪ music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, music playing in background, and he's where the joy is. Tomorrow we'll be reading the book of Second Kings. We're linking to a short video overview in the show notes, so check that out if you've got a few minutes to spare. And just a reminder, if you're using our plan in the Bible app, this video will also be linked for you tomorrow

Starting point is 00:06:38 in the devotional portion of the chapters we're reading. Okay Bible readers, it's time for our weekly check-in. How are you doing? What have you learned so far? If you're behind, don't get frustrated with yourself. Don't give up. You're probably reading the Bible more than you would on your own. Think about the things you've learned so far.

Starting point is 00:06:56 Thank God for those things. Reflect on what you've learned about his character. Lean into who he is and ask him to grant you an increasing desire to know him more. He can change your heart. You aren't meant to go through life alone. If you're looking for a prayer community that encourages each other and prays for each other's needs, check out Way Nations Prayer Wall. You can leave a request on the prayer wall and you can pray for others. To jump in, text the word pray to 67101.

The Bible Recap - Day 182 (Obadiah 1, Psalm 82-83) - Year 5

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